Cruising Column

Gayle & Eric Locke - Cruise Committee

Hi Everyone!

It’s a bit chilly outside to be thinking of cruising but next years schedule is almost complete.

Thanks to all the cruise leaders that so readily signed up at the December meeting! We are trying to set up a cruise to the North Channel Yacht Club in August. It would be great to have a new destination to go to! We’ll keep you posted as plans develop.

In the meantime, have a wonderful and safe Holiday Season and we will look forward to seeing everyone at the Commodore’s Ball.

Gayle Locke - “Knight’n Gayle”

(586) 431-7017 - gayle@lockesite.us

2006 Cruise Schedule

WINDSOR – LAKEVIEW MARINA
(SATURDAY, JUNE 3 (tentative)

Cruise Leaders – Ken & Sandy Bousum

(586) 954-2727

METRO BEACH
(SATURDAY, JUNE 17)

Cruise Leaders – Larry & Kathy Caricchio

(248) 852-3078

THAMES RIVER – RADLIN’S MARINA
(SATURDAY, JULY 1 and SUNDAY, JULY 2)

Cruise Leaders – Creed’s (248) 623-0628

Lundy’s (586) 228-5864

Wing’s (248) 373-5463

BELLE RIVER – BELLE RIVER MARINA (SATURDAY, JULY 15 – Sunsplash Weekend)

Cruise Leaders – Jack & Nancy Gray

(248) 656-0947

AUGUST CRUISES are tentative at this point but will consist of a cruises to Cove Marina on the Thames River and possibly a cruise to a new location (see note above). Look for more info in the next Catscan.

WINDSOR – LAKEVIEW MARINA
(SATURDAY, SEPT 2 & SUNDAY, SEPT 3 tentative)

Cruise Leader – Don Tishler

(248) 477-8711

PUMPKIN CRUISE – METRO

(SATURDAY, September 30 tentative)

Cruise Leaders – Glen & Becky Ellison

(586) 463-7876

Gayle Locke - “Knight’n Gayle”

It was a tranquil, eternal scene inspiring the imagination to dream what it must have been like for an ancient mariner, with sea weary eyes, to behold a pristine land for the very first time; a palette of new sights, sounds, smells, new sensations of exploration to paint upon the canvas of the future; landfall - the climax of a cruise, discovery - the purpose of the voyage.

My reverie was broken by a loud splash. A large fish, perhaps a Muskie, had jumped in quest of food and shattered the mirror like water.

“This sure is a pretty spot." I said to no one in particular.

“I told you that the wind would take us some place nice didn't I" Jim responded. Again reaffirming his belief in the almighty power of dumb luck to guide and protect him.

"That's what I like about sailing late in the season" He added “The lake seems much bigger with fewer boats on it, it's almost like you’re an explorer in the old days and can claim whole areas just for yourself."

“I hate to burst your bubble, 'O Master of the Lake', but are you sure that it's OK for us to anchor here?" I said pointing to a number of near-by poles sticking out of the water with signs on them.

Jim grabbed the binoculars from the cabin and trained them on one of the signs then said. "Yeah, it's ok, 'O Slave to the Mundane', those are just 'No Fishin' signs. Here see for yourself." I took the glasses and read the nearest sign:

WARNING

INDIAN FISHING GROUNDS

VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED

Jim added. "I'm not planning on fishing. Are you? Come on let's make a couple of martinis and some sandwiches."

In the cramped cabin I made sandwiches while Jim dug the martini fixings out of the cooler. Then just at the most critical point in the martini process (dropping the olives in and whispering "Vermouth" over the glasses), engines roared, the boat rocked and shouting erupted followed by erratic thumping on the hull. Shocked and confused by the ruckus, we both jumped toward the hatch and got wedged for a moment in the companionway as we both tried to get up on deck at the same time. Jim squeezed out into the cockpit first, yelling, "Hey what the hell's going on!" Stumbling after him I saw four beat-up aluminum rowboats with oversized outboard engines closely circling our boat at high speed. The plaid shirted occupants were shaking their fists and yelling at us, and occasionally one of them would veer in close enough to pound his fist on the hull.

Climbing on the cabin top Cap'm Jim, grabbed the boat hook and brandished it at the raiders, "Get the hell out of here" he shouted. " I grabbed a winch handle and moved aft with the vague intent of defending our outboard-motor from theft, or perhaps repelling borders.