Thanksgiving - Double Bayou and the French Picnic

   We joined 32 boats on a trip up Double Bayou for a Thanksgiving Day event and the French Picnic. It was a great 4-night trip.


We docked bow into the bank...set out a plank and settled in for the weekend.






We borrowed a generator from Troy and Deana Jones (that was very nice of them) so that we would have heat.

Troy and Deana 

 It was really cold and we had a bonfire that started Wednesday night and never burned out until we left on Sunday.









 It was the best camp out ever.  Troy and Deana fried up several turkeys.  We had wonderful Thanksgiving with all the fixings on Thursday,

Steve and Elizabeth

Friday we had spaghetti dinner on our neighbors boat (Steve and Elizabeth) and were joined by Tom and Debbie Taylor and Roz Evans/Fern Quinones.

Debra and To 

Roz and Fern

                                                    We had camp-fire cobbler,

                                                                                              Played horse shoes.

 Took dingy rides over to Marker 17 for hamburgers.






                                 More campfires and Troy plays his guitar

Troy playing and singing some tunes

Al and I taking it all in.....Great Camp out!

Then on Saturday we had the famous French Picnic....

and celebrated John and Peggy's anniversary... They were married on the French Picnic several years ago.

Of course my favorite.... beautiful sunrises~

Captain Al and Me!
 It was a perfect time.  

 We were so thankful!

TMCA - Pelican Island Raft-Up - NOT

With no depth or wind instruments ... but with a newly replaced water pump and hoses, we set out in out to Galveston for our very first 'anchor out' at Pelican Island.  Not much wind so we motored down.... turned into the ICW for the first time.... that was interesting.... and then make our way to the anchorage.  Everything was going great.... until we tried to put the boat in reverse... there was no reverse!  While the other boats were anchoring and rafting up we stayed out and let everyone settle... Although we had offers to dinghy us over we thought it best just to return back to Kemah and abort our plans.  Al had his hand-held GPS which he had recorded our trip over... so we were able to use our bread crumbs to get us back.  I was concerned about all the obstacles around the cut, but which the GPS we made it back through just fine.  We made it all the way back to Marker 2 and had Tow Boat US come and take us back into our slip.  We were so happy that we had purchased the coverage!  Another great decision.  Besides, Al was so impressed that he told the driver that since it was 'free' he would just call them every time to pick us up at Marker 2... they got us in the slip a lot easier than we can!   Now, to find out about that cable thing.... Cha Ching!

Our First TMCA Cruise - Spoonbill Park at Smith's Point

Well, we figured that if we were ever going to venture out of the slip and get any sailing in that we needed to join a sail club.  We checked out several, but we decided to go to a couple of the meetings and a dock party with the TMCA group... TEXAS MARINERS CRUISERS ASSOCIATION.  And boy are we glad we did.  This is our very first trip with the group.  There were about 10 boats and we sailed across the bay to Smith Point.  The water was very shallow and we treaded lightly and slowly but made it safely.  Al did a splendid job of docking the boat against the bulkhead... but it was so shallow we had to be "drug" to the curb.  Everyone was so very, very friendly and helpful.  I think we are going to really enjoy this group.

We did not have a dinghy, but a nice lady, Lorna, asked around and introduced us to another nice couple Ron and Linda Gerdes who invited us to join them on their dinghy.  Their motor was acting up but we made it along with the others for an exploration ride.

That evening we had a wonderful meal followed by "mud slides" on Ed and Marion Hernden's boat (Remedy).  It was a lot of fun.  The food and fellowship was great!  The only problem was the mosquitos. WOW, they grow BIG MOSQUITOS there!

The highlight was the magnificent sunrise.  It was breathtaking. I will always remember how beautiful the the sunrise was as we woke up on our first cruise destination!  It was just wonderful!

The only problem we had on the trip was that it was a little shallow and we drug the bottom a little, and we were told that we have black smoke coming out.... Oh, and our sump pump is out.  Well, welcome to boating I suppose! :-)

Did I mention I LOVE TMCA!

Barbara joins us for a sail

Barbara and her boyfriend, Mike, joined us for a sail.  It was a great day.  Winds 13-20.  There was plenty of cloud cover so it was not too hot. We just sailed around the bay and enjoyed having Barbara and Mike on board!

Father's Day on the Bay

Al and I got up early Sunday morning (Father's Day) and went out for a wonderful morning sail to beat the heat. It was wonderful.  We made it back by 11:30.  PERFECT Day!

Our First Solo Cruise

Today is the day!  Al and I took her out all by ourselves.  It was fantastic! We sailed around the bay... and learned the hard way that there is a reason why you put the bow of the boat into the wind to roll in the furler. Poor Al had to go up the the bow and untangle the furling line from the drum.... We really do need to get that thing fixed.... there is no cage on the drum! But it was a wonderful day.  And, Al put her back in the slip like a pro!  Yea Al!

Sails Up!

Our maiden sail!  

We finally found the right time and conditions for us to put up our sails.  

Curtis and Diane were with us again.... sure am glad to have them along.  I know we will one day be able to do this by ourselves, but not yet!  It was a picture perfect day.  Light winds but we felt comfortable hoisting the sails  and we were able to practice tacking and Al was able to get comfortable with driving and maneuvering the boat. It was a wonderful day and Al brought her into the dock perfectly!  Yea Us!