Fairbanks Harding Lake Fleet: Harding Lake report

[Mark Gudschinsky]

We've had an early morning report from Harding Lake on conditions:

The lake is clear: The ice is out, the weather is warm, the breeze is blowing.

Steve has had his "new" sailboat out already and reports that we are missing out.

It's a week early this year!

We're going out this am, and will launch at least Swimmer and put in the dock. I'll try sailing with Steve and his new bleach bottle.

Next week the whole fleet is invited out, we'll be there Saturday through Monday

I'll

[Mike Pennington]

Well yeeha!

So much for cleaning out the garage

I guess this will answer my question whether the new trailer is too high to launch at Harding's shallow boat launch. I was going to take the drift boat for a dip, but this sounds like much more fun.

Mike

[Mike Pennington]

Excellent sail. Felt so good.

[JMetzner]

Excellent news!! I got back into town in the wee small hours this morning from the SF area. Can't wait to get out on the lake after seeing these boats heeled over on SF Bay.

--John M.

Fairbanks, AK (until June 23rd)

[Mike Pennington]

John,

Mark asked me to invite you out sunday and monday. The dock is up and Mark's Marina is in full swing.

Lets go sailing buddy. We'll be looking for As You Wish.

Mike

[Mike Pennington]

The Memorial Day weekend was a big success for the Harding Lake Fleet. The Flyer and As You Wish representing the Weekenders and my Aurorawolf a Vacationer. We were also joined by our newest member Steve Gudshinsky and his Capri 15.

Three great days of fun, good food :wink: and lots of sailing.

The highlight of my weekend was when I scored a Fortress anchor from Alexander's Salvage and Marine. I've been wanting one for some time now. Alexander salvaged the perfect anchor for me, at a low cost of twenty bucks. 8) Such a deal!

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0UQAhA*oXIbr1cd8k5!cyuhfAsBdyyLAKr6JTBsA3Nd7Al3DxHPPHopof789oUqaRNn40TU!ahaZG3uB!fS03RkMAYmm1RVrgO7O!Ogvl7hNLVxSfC6*P3aL3t339eL2B/P1010002.JPG?dc=4675524628275286302

[Dave R1]

Looks like a load of fun.

Mark, it appears that Alexander has found a job. You guys better build a slightly larger boat with a derrick on it for hoisting up the salvaged iron.

[Tim Diebert]

Presumably that anchor was on the bottom somewhere....how did Alexander recover it? :shock:

Great shot!

[Mike Pennington]

I'll let Mark or Alexander explain that one.

I have to hand it to Mark, he is a fantastic father, and knows how to keep his kids busy. He has some great ideas.

Mike

[Mark Gudschinsky]

I was in Swimmer resting over a bit of a clear lake bottom with the anchor down, when uncle Steve runs over in his sailboat and says Dad and Laura found an anchor laying on the bottom. And Dad had taking a dunking. Apparently he was on the bow when Laura shifted sides and dad took an unexpected bath.

Small model wooden boats that we had made in Homer were everywhere when I arrived. Laura and Dad set them adrift to use as markers over the lost anchor.

We tried a lot with boat hooks and other items to catch the short bit of rope or chain to try to pull up the anchor. But we failed with all of our tries. Dad and Laura sailed back to the dock to get the motor boat and it’s tools. I stayed on sight with Swimmer and waited. When they came back I tried again with boat hooks and my anchor but nothing would grab the artifact. In the mean time Dad and Laura were working on a tool. They made a heavy weight with several big salmon hooks on it. It still took many tries but eventually we caught the moldy rope and hauled the treasure to the surface.

After we had the load secured in Swimmer Dad and Laura towed me back across the lake while the anchor and seaweed surrounded me.

After awhile Mike came by and we began to talk about price, it ranged from fifty dollars to twenty dollars. We even used the Overtons catalog for a reference. Eventually we settled on twenty dollars. I put it in my wallet with about another ten dollars. I haven’t seen my wallet since.

[Mike Pennington]

Hello Alexander,

The crew of the Aurorawolf appreciates that anchor. I will never be caught saying that there can be such a thing as overkill for an anchor and enough rode. Your anchor is the crown of my collection and the fortress designed hung of metal has not failed me yet.

Doreen and Mark,

The crew has landed safely and settled into quarters. We took the Aurorawilf out on Big Lake, Sunday and buzzed the yacht club. We only drew two sails out to enjoy the stormy day. The Opland