Lake Allatoona

[Ed Jones]

I guess I am the first one back from Lake Allatoona. I had a great time meeting some new people and seeing some old friends. The winds were light to moderate and made for good sailing. We had a collection of people from 3 different internet groups and boats from home built to factory, that varied from sail, motor and oar. The camp ground was the best I have been to so far, even the old fat guy with bad knees could get to the water's edge with out any help.

There are 8 people missing from the photo not counting the old fat guy.

[Guest]

I am truely sorry I missed the trip. As you may have heard, the family issues dictated that I mind the fort here again, as sick patients knows no time off for my wife. I did get a bit of work done on my hull, pushing for a June launching as it stands now.

[MisterMoon]

I didn't take many pictures but I'll share what I have.

Keith McLean and daughter from Covington, GA in his Tech dinghy. Keith is nearly done with his Stevenson Vacationer.

Bud Wilson from Jasper, TN smoked this pork shoulder all day Saturday. It was wonderful!

The site was great for the little kids with lots of shallow water for swimming. The water was not yet "adult warm" as I discovered when I dove off of my boat later in the afternoon. Kids don't seem to mind though...

Rhett Davis from near Darien, GA brought his AF4 JUBAL EDISTO. Going out in it really made me miss mine. Rhett and his freind Diane spent the night at anchor during the thunderstorms Saturday night. They claimed to have stayed dry! The less said abou t the boat in the background, the better!

Here we have a view down the beach. In the foreground is one of my Blackberry dories, built by Ed Jones of Lawrenceville, GA. Next is a Michalak PIRAGUA 18, built by Rhett Davis. Behind it is my old "Mean Mean Green Green" $25 OCA canoe and a plywood catamaran by Stevenson Projects brought by Bud Wilson. Behind it is Bud's friend Bennie's johnboat. The cat was a hoot to sail, if a bit wet!

Here Rhett Davis tries out Jeff 'Ironmule' Smith's bateau and the Reelfoot oars.

Jeff explains his boat to a couple of campers whose curiosity got the best of them and the walked over to see what was going on.

All in all it was a pretty good time. We'll do it again next year. Mark your calendars for the weekend after Mother's day 2006, same place!