Trailersailing Lite...

Lite, because we showed up at a trailersailing event without a boat. There is a major gathering of trailersailors at Lake Havasu, on the Arizona/California border... something on the order of a couple hundred boats and well in excess of 300 participants. Our plan was to "day-trip" it: 180 miles there, see some of our trailersailing buddies, look at some boats, and 180 miles back.

It was actually a pretty drive. Oh, still in the desert, but once we turned north at Quartzsite, the terrain turned "craggy": it's the Colorado River terrain. We made it there right before lunch and ran into friends before we made it to the Convention Center. Sailor friends from Kansas, California, Illinois, and Tennessee, gathering in the desert to sail. (I can't be the only one with thoughts of Burning Man. ;-)) I've corresponded with all these folks, but never met 4 of the 5. Our friend, Tim, from California, we've met in person before. Ron and Chari from Kansas, I've corresponded with, but never done a face-to-face...


We all went out for lunch at the nearby Red Robin. And the rest of the group: Tim, Bud, and Jerry...


I think Bud and Jerry have been traveling together too long, 'cause they couldn't wait to get on either side of Joan... and yes, there was another, "Are you 'the Blonde'?" as we first arrived.

After lunch, Jerry and Bud invited us for a sail on Bud's boat... a beautiful blue sky kinda day with nice wind - yeah, it would be hard to pass that up. While Jerry and Bud went to get the boat, we went back to the car to get me a long sleeve shirt and picked up some sunscreen. We met Tim back at the docks, and met Jerry and Bud when they arrived. And we were off.

5 sailors on Bud's very nice Seaward. Not enough controls to go around for everyone, so we took turns. The sailing was mighty fine.


Lots of boats out on the lake, taking advantage of the good breezes. We missed out on the race yesterday, but we were just fine with cruising around. Pretty scenery, we saw a Bald Eagle sitting on a hill, dodged a few boats, told some stories, and just had a great time doing what everyone came here to do: sail.


Late afternoon, Bud dropped three of us off at the marina and headed back to the marina where his slip is. The slips in front of the London Bridge Resort are very nice...


And, yes, that bridge in the back ground is the London Bridge.

We walked back up to the Convention Center, took a walk through the exhibitors, then said our good-byes. A quick trip around town to see what all has changed since the days that we used to RV in this area, and we hit the road. Our timing was such that we got to see some beautiful silhouettes before the sun set...


And then, the long drive back. It's been a while since we've had the opportunity to drive the speed limit - we're usually towing something big behind us. It was fun to do the passing for a change. Although it is annoying to come up on people driving less than the speed limit in the left lane... and there were a bunch of them on this stretch. I like to put the car on cruise control and just make some miles; and you know what George Carlin said about people who drive slower or faster than you. ;-)

A fine day. Sailing in the desert. I know there were plenty of folks there from colder places... I recognize that smile.