The cruise started as all Christmas cruises do with the participating boats loosely gathering at Pelican Harbor a day or so after Christmas. With few exceptions, all boats stop at Pelican coming and going to Fisherman’s Village.
Most were there the nights of December 28-29. Chase the Clouds hosted the required get together. There were about 18 boats from the club represented. Chase the Clouds had grand baby Aislynn on board, so it made sense that the group came to the baby rather than the baby coming to the group. Ever thus has it been so!
Thursday, Dec. 29 was a free day. Some went to the Lazy Flamingo, some did Pelican Harbor- Cayo Costa things, and one boat went to Don Pedro. Dog beach found us all there for the evening check in.
Friday everyone left. A couple of boats went to Bert’s in Matlacha to party with land cruisers. Everyone else motor-sailed to Fisherman’s Village. Laundry, biking, shopping, and general milling around by all concerned. Evening get together was under the twinkling lights in the trees near the Fisherman’s Village pool.
18 boats found their way to the Marina for New Year’s Eve.
New Year’s Eve day was mostly more of the same from Friday afternoon – Resting up for the bacchanalia to come.
Both boat and land cruisers assembled in the community room promptly at 5 p.m. to get things started. Plenty of food and beverages and a group of about 40 took a practice run at the first round of food and beverage.
Thanks to Bev for recognizing the party crashers and eliminating them from the party! Can you imagine crashing a CMCS cocktail hour as your big event for New Year’s Eve?
18 headed off to The Captain’s Table for dinner while the rest broke out a tremendous buffet for the pot luck.
Special thanks to Raimund Haunholter for all his efforts to put together another fine meal at the restaurant. He even procured a bottle of wine donated by the manager of the restaurant. Raimund conducted a raffle and Judy Sheldon from Merry Morgan won. She graciously gave it to Raimund in thanks for all he did. Raimund also made up an informational brochure so that all of us would know what was going on all weekend!
After dinner, everyone reconnoitered near the pool for…wait for it…more food and beverages. This time donated by the Marina, who also provided a live band.
Besides all this, the shopping mall had more entertainment….you could get glitter of most any color sprayed into your hair, balloon creatures, magic show, and temporary tattoos. OK, this was mostly for kids, but some of us were tempted. They had a couple of bands, too. All free.
Midnight – champagne toasts all around.
With looming freezing temperatures and more wind than most care for, Sunday morning the fleet mostly departed for Pelican, Schoolhouse Bay (hurricane hole), or home.
No known yellow flag incidents occurred from any of the boats participating in the weekend. There is a rumor that a worthy event did happen…..
Boats attending in no particular order:
- Bridget O’Toole
- Antares
- Barefeet
- Chase the Clouds
- Zydeco
- Ariel
- Air Boss
- Samphire
- Hyde Away
- Tyrolia
- Kestrel II
- Tenacious
- Merry Morgan
- Sea Puppy
- Judy Judy
- Four Seasons
- Tanglefoot
- Blank Check
- Win
- Vixen
- Trust Me!!!
If you want to attend next year’s event, please give me a shout….email
treefinder@bridgetotoole.com or 239 283 1138
We have already started a list. Have the room reserved.
Carolyn Wilson
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