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Well, It's history now! The'09 Poker Run took place in late Feb on lake Havasu. We had a blast. Over 20 boats participated. Although, there was some motoring, we did sail every day of the run! What follows is a compilation of pictures taken by all the particpants. Thanks to everyone that sent in shots for the webpage! So...let's get started with a recap of how things went!....
The Early Birds!
It's said that "The early bird gets the worm". That couldn't have been more true for this event. A number of entries decided to get to town late Thursday night or early on Friday morning to get a head start on having some fun. They were rewarded with the best breezes of the event! One by one we got on the water and chased each other around Thompson Bay in front of the Nautical Inn until the fleet formed. Then we headed out for a sail around the Island. Some of us even finished off the sail by sailing downwind through The Channel and under the London Bridge, completing the "circumnavigation" of The Island! Here are some Pics and Videos from Fridays Frolic. Temps were in the high 70's to low 80's and the breezes were perfect.
Here's Matt from San Diego in his M17 "Lily"
Of course Larry and I got out there on Dauntless to welcome everyone! By the sound clip on the video to the left...I got slightly excited about sailing next to another Montgomery that is trimmed in dark green like Dauntless! :-)
Larry and I sailed downwind through "The Channel" and under the London Bridge emerging back out into Thompson Bay near the Nautical Inn after making the 3 or 4 mile "circumnavigation" of the Island. The winds get a little flukey through the area of the Channel where the bridge is because of all the buildings lining the shore but it's always do-able as long as you are going downwind........upwind??? forget it!! hahaha I think Larry may have thought we were going to end up on the front page of the local newspaper as we closed in on the bridge. "Local boater misjudges bridge and gets stuck"....but we made it...again!!!
As the day progressed, more and more crews arrived. The big event of the evening was a "get acquainted" dinner at the Nautical Inn. Crews got themselves situated into their rooms and got their boats either launched and slipped at the marina, beached into the hotel cove, or ready to launch first thing in the morning. Then everyone headed for the dinner.
Boats arriving and beaching right in front of their hotel rooms at tha Nautical Inn
(left) Dan Ricker brings his Compac in for a beach landing. Welcome to Havasu Dan!!!
Al Watts enjoying the relaxing view from his balcony overlooking his P-15 "Ursa Minor" securely beached in the Nautical Inn's cove. ( and a beer too!)
The Nautical Inn's waterfront restaraunt "The Turtle Grill" as viewed from the rooms around the cove. (actually a sunrise photo from Sat Morn)
Time For Dinner!
About 6:30pm we all gathered for dinner at the Turtle Grill. We seated somewhere between 40-45 folks. I learned a little trick from my buddy Larry who puts on a San Juan Cruise. Some crazy awards are a great way for everyone to break the ice. He graciously let me steal his idea and it worked great. Here's some shots of the dinner and some of the ...winners??? hahaha
MOST EXPERIENCED SKIPPER
"cheesy hat!"
MOST BOATS PURCHASED IN LAST 2 YEARS!
Boat Trader for him...and an Auto Trader so his wife can pick out the new car he owes her!!!
OLDEST BOAT
Marine Tex and Duck Tape of course!
ARRIVED FROM THE COLDEST PLACE
new wardrobe!
NEWEST BOAT
Sham-WoW's (their made by the germans, you know?)
MOST CROWDED BOAT
the "SARDINE AWARD"!
LEAST EXPERIENCED SKIPPER
lifering with a whistle (to get the attention of the Most Experienced Skipper in case of EMERGENCY!)
Dinner went well. We had a good time and as you can see there was lots of laughter as old friends reunited and new friendships formed. That's what the whole thing is about! Awesome!
Everyone was coming off a long day traveling, prepping boats, launching, etc. There weren't many stragglers at the bar that night! Everyone headed to their rooms to get some sleep before gathering for breakfast and the Poker Run Skippers Meeting at 8am.
Larry was staying with 'Jo and I at our house. Somehow I rationalized in my head that "I deserve some ice cream"...Larry agreed, except he rationalized that "We deserve some ice cream"...good point! 'Jo rationalized my ever expanding beltline and decided she'd pass on the ice cream and take a picture of the two of us indulging! hahaha
It was good!
