These are some pic's of my summer messabout with the BYYB in '06.

When I first got there I really did not know anyone so I made camp first thing.

I then began noticing a few sails out on the lake.

 

So, I ate dinner and my stepson and I took a walk to see what BYYB salts would be lurkin...

Kieth was the first to introduce himself as I was gazing at the Whippoorwill at the dock.

 So he invited my stepson and myself out for an evening cruise.  It was amazing seeing in person,  this boat that has, through photos,  inspired me to build my own.

Well, after the cruise we all ended up at Bud's site for a chaser, and some good 'ol salty stories (Bud is a fantastic storyteller Y'all) afterwhich I turned in. Now the first thing I saw when I crawled out of my tent sat. morning was a blurry bunch of masts...

Then I blinked a couple of times...

and this is what I saw, the S.E.Fleet boatshow, and crap! I'm late. Here are a few shots of the boatshow...

After the initial shock of seeing all of these beautifull boats I continued on up to the boat ramp and found Ed Jones had arrived with Fairwind...

Ed had an expert crew to help rig up Fairwind...

After much hemming and hawing, rigging and unrigging, Ed finally got Fairwind first splash...

Now there's one proud boatwright...

And now you're dubbed Fairwind, May the wind always fill your sails...

After the christening Craig asked me if  I wanted to go for a sail on his boat ...

So greatfully I accepted, and thats when the real fun began...

There were plenty of BYYB boats a-lurkin in the waters...

 

                                                                        Here are Richard and his'FirstMate' aboard the ourdotcalm above,

And Here's Scott and his lil' Gem, the absolute quickest lil'boat I've seen yet. In fact,  have you ever heard the song "Beep! Beep!" about the lil'car? Well that's Scott. No matter how fast we went or where we went,  Scott was behind us, then in front, then he'd zip by side to side then he'd be off way in front and we'd eventually catch up.

                           

Heres a good one of Scott.  Could you be anymore relaxed?

And here is the captain of the saralee (and precious cargo),   Craig Gleason,  who graciously let me take the helm of his boat for almost the whole weekend. Thanks Craig...

                  

On the way back in we happend upon Keith and Benny up ahead...

Looks like smooth sailin'...

Well, after a great day we turned our bow to port and in we went. Craig dropped me off at the dock and off 'round the bend he went to anchor down for the evening festivities.

 

                                             I went back to my campsite to prepare for the evening myself and to cook my contribution for the pot luck dinner, Ribs...

they were bigger in person, can you smell the mesquite? MMMMMM.

Unfortunatly I have no photos of everyone elses wonderful food, but can only convey how great the cooks in the S.E. Fleet truly are. and I wish I had a picture of Bud's wonderfull boston butts

(Bud is a connoisseur of butt i must say).

So we all gathered under the picnic shelter for the evening.

Richard Norman recieved the Rumrunners Award, a beautiful bottle of Pussers rum, for all that he has done for this great organization.

After an evening of fellowship, good drink and and some more salty stories (did I mention Bud is a great storyteller?), we all retired to our respective campsites.

Well first thing Sunday morning I awoke in my 300 degree tent (slight exageration) with my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth and thought, "I must go shave my tongue!"  So I climbed out into the air and, Lo' and Behold, Mother Nature sent me a subtle hint that I may need a shower ...

A buzzard landed right in front of me in my site so I took the hint. I packed up most of my site when Craig came by and said "Wanna go sailing?"  So off we went and this time Keith, Craig, and myself headed out of port on the saralee...

I held her steady as Richard snuck up on us from behind on the ourdotcalm (a piratin' vessle if'n I ever saw one) to come alongside us and trade some precious plunder some poor soul left behind...

 

and away he sailed, which left just us on the water...

After a long day of sailing and much sunburn to be had we pulled back into port. They pulled out the boats and I packed up my site.  We had one last cold one, said our goodbyes, then we hit the road.   As i drove out of town I spied me a Burger King and had to get some food and drink of the soft variety. As I sat in the parking lot, devouring my burger and reminiscing on the weekend.  The last I saw of the S.E.Fleet was Keith and his boat going south on 29 until they were out of site.  What a great bunch of folks and a beautiful bunch of boats!  I've got to get the sawdust flying so maybe next year I can bring my boat.

 Did I have a good time you ask ? I think this picture says it all......

 Thank you S.E.Fleet and the BYYB for an unforgetable and wonderful time.

Brian