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Cat TalesJanuary 1997 |
Mark Eller, Commodore
I would like to start by thanking all of you
for the opportunity to serve as your Commodore for 1997. I hope that we will
press on and have continued boating fellowship and boating experiences on the
Chesapeake Bay and for some, beyond the Bay. I would like to thank Paul and
Sharon Payne for their efforts in 1996, bringing to close another wonderful
year of fun in the sun both on and off the water. Paul, you and Sharon will be
sorely missed but we all wish you the best as you re-establish your home in
sunny Florida.
A heartfelt thanks to the Weeks for hosting the Christmas
party at their beautifully decorated home (complete with train obstacles),
particularly on such short notice; it was a rousing success. I can speak for
all that attended that a "Good time was had by all".
Well, on with the
view from the bridge. During the January meeting I would like to have everybody
come prepared to discuss their favorite / not so favorite destinations on the
bay so we can start planning our upcoming year's events. The intent is to
gather as much information as possible, then have a formal planning meeting at
A.J.'s and my home in February to firm up the schedule. I will announce the
date of the meeting at the January meeting - anyone caring to attend is
welcome.
Our first formal event tentatively planned is the Flag Raising
Brunch in the spring. I hope to repeat the success we had last year and perhaps
have an interesting guest speaker (more to follow). We can discuss location and
date at the planning meeting, then put together a committee to make it happen.
Well, I'll close now with a wish that you all have a very happy and exciting
boating season in the new year.
As Mark mentioned, the Holiday Party was a huge success and fun for all. As part of the evening, Sue Dennison recognized the efforts and achievements of CCYC members as she handed plaques and kudos to the following:
Mark and A.J. Eller are selling Miss Tress, so help pass the
word.
1986 Catalina 30 Tall rig. 23 hp diesel, autopilot,
knotmeter/fatho, windpoint/ speed, LORAN, VHF, Adler Barbor Reefer, CNG stove
with oven, 5 sails (2 mains, 150, 110 and cruising spinnaker), 70 amp alt with
3 batteries, microwave, self-tailing winches.
Original owner asking
$34,500. Call 301-858-1325/669-3931
Charles and Freda Gandy, Luv It
We're on our
way south again We left Annapolis on October 14th and won't return until April
or May, after spending a couple of months in the Bahamas.
When
critiquing our first trip to the Bahamas, the lack of satisfactory
communications was the worst part of the trip and the next was fatigue. Both of
those problems have been solved this time and this is a much better trip
because of it.
HF digital communications through Ham radio and the
Internet has solved our main problem. Because of the kindness of a friend, Tom
Dove, K3ORC, we are able to send and receive messages on a regular basis. He
contacts us using a method called Pactor on amateur radio frequencies. Our
Macintosh laptop computer, a PK-232 multimode controller, and our Kenwood HF
transceiver are coordinated and set to receive Tom's signals. He makes contact,
opens our "mailbox", picks up messages we have left and leaves messages he has
received through the Internet. This takes place between 6:30 and 7:30 A.M. each
day. Charles awakens around 6:30, turns the devices on, then crawls back into
bed for another short snooze. Soon, we hear the "ding dong" of our computer's
alert signal, signifying that it has become linked with Tom, then we hear
fluttery bursts of sound as data begins to flow back and forth. Charles says
that the alert signal is the contemporary version of the "thump" we used to
hear when the morning newspaper landed on the porch. We have the capability of
turning off the alert signal and the volume of the radio, but we wouldn't want
to do that for each brings us pleasure. We jump out of bed to see what the news
is and watch it scrolling across the screen. Should any of you want to reach us
by e-mail, send your message to K3ORC@amsat.com. Our second problem has solved
itself with only a little conscious help from us. We are better seamen, better
navigators, and better judges of weather, tides, and currents. We are more
laid-back this time, having learned about "island time" from the Bahamas. We've
adopted the attitude that usually nothing is imperative today - it can just as
easily be done tomorrow. Our natural rhythms are not conducive to rising in the
dark and leaving anchorage at first light, so we haven't done that; if the tide
is not favorable, so be it. There was one exception. That was when we crossed
through the Cape Fear area. It is the only time that we have seen our knotmeter
read eleven. We were on a natural roller coaster as our boat made good the
usual seven knots of which it is capable, plus the four of the river speeding
us toward the sea.
Charles retired from Stanford Telecom early this
year. He remains on the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board. For the Defense
Science Board, he went to Bosnia in June for a second look at utilization of
Intelligence in the battlefield. One of the required stop-offs was to review a
Russian special forces brigade! He found himself much quieter than usual. Freda
moved from her studio in Laurel to the smaller one at home.
Our daughter
is our contact. She is Beth Wegner, 448 Fairford Court, Severna Park, MD 21146,
410-647-6507. Would love to hear from you and know what you've been doing since
the last time we were together.