The Blackwatch Fleet in the heat

We survived an un airconditioned drive to OKC and back, plus spending most of our time in blistering temps reaching 104 degrees on Saturday. Dave, the organizer of the first ever BW gathering, agreed beforehand to help Chuck raise the mast on Boatnik, something I think he came to regret. It took the two of them three hours on Friday afternoon. I sat in the shade and sipped ice water and read a book, but it was still plenty hot!(waaa!) Friday evening was very enjoyable as we ate grilled chicken provided by the Oklahoma City Boat Club and chatted with our new friends, David and Harry (not the food people) Ours was a smaller gathering included in the bigger event, a charity regatta. I never did learn what the charity was.

Chuck had the big idea of sleeping on the boat. This idea sounded a lot better back home, but after sweating it out all day, I was ready for a shower and a cool bed. Fortunately for us, Chuck's brother Jeff, and his wife Jolene, took us in. Thank you!! As a bonus, Their daughter, Jenn, and her husband, David, were also there so we got to visit with them and meet their very cute doggie. We also met Jeff's son Jason and his bride to be, Kim.

Saturday, we sailed out into Lake Hefner, a lovely lake with plenty of wind. We did not take part in the official races but we had an unofficial one with David and Kent on Kent's BW. Harry took the helm of Boatnik and we smoked the competition handily. Harry is a very good sailor. Sadly, his boat never made it into the water due to technical difficulties. He loves to race! That afternoon, David and Chuck took the mast down on Boatnik in the unforgiving heat and then we headed back to Jeff's for a quick shower and change of clothes and then back for the evening banquet and rock concert.

David sent an article about the weekend to www.smallcraftadviser and then sent the link to us. It has some wonderful pictures with captions so just Click here to see that.

Boatnik lives!

 
 
We both wished we had taken a before picture with the primer gray hull. Boatnik looked pretty sad just two weeks ago, but Captain Chuck has been rendering tender ministrations through rain and blistering sun. The hard work is almost complete. Launch date is in two days. Captain and crew are ready to sail!

There were 81 Blackwatch sailboats made in Amarillo, Texas of all places. Boatnik is #40. Only six are scheduled to show up at the gathering on Lake Hefner in OKC. You can see why we have to made a good showing.

Re art exhibit

Chuck will not be displaying any paintings at the Center for the Arts this month. He learned he could only put up pictures painted during classes taken at the center. He is currently in his first ever class there so it would only be one painting, not worth staying here on Friday. That means we can spend more time at Lake Hefner, which is what Chuck wanted anyway. I will post some pictures of that event.

Cousins and June happenings

 
 

Chuck took these pics of our eldest grandchildren when they were here in May. They are so much fun, when they are having fun together. They occupied much time "cleaning" my patio door with flyswatters and soapy water. Hey, it kept them quiet and busy.

My big project this weekend is repainting the living room. That was rather easy after all the prep work and taking down the paper border because I used the same color. I also painted crown molding. Putting it up is Chuck's job and I hope he does it soon since it is taking up room on the floor. Chuck is working on houses on his development and trying to get his sailboat painted and spiffed up. He recently joined a group of Blackwatch owners and at the end of this month, we are going to Oklahoma City to a gathering. Only a limited number of Blackwatch boats were built so it is an exclusive club. Lah-ti-dah! Chuck is also displaying some of his paintings this month at the Center for the Arts, where he is taking classes. There will be a reception on June 26th. Please stop by!