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.