Cruise Report – Bastille Day Fireworks 2008

Once again, the Grucci’s ignored the desires of the Duck Island Yacht Club and scheduled both a National (Three Mile Harbor) and a World (New London) fireworks show on the same weekend. Notwithstanding this, both cruises were well attended and the weather was perfect.

As to Three Mile, your humble Cruise Directors arrived around noon and located Han and Edith, Rear Commodores, Cruise at anchor right near the temporary channel. Of course, our hook set immediately (sorry, Glen, we had to make fun and are glad you sorted out the hook technology problems). The Ballou’s and DeBernardo’s were safely anchored right underneath the soon-to-be missile range when we arrived, and they would be joined later by Al and Colette Skinner. This fine raft kindly offered their facilities as the location of the 1700-1830 (note this later, folks) cocktail party.

The Tilton’s and Hayes’s also arrived and joined other rafts, and unfortunately did not make the party and missed the new format, very nifty Duck Prize Drawing.

As best we can remember, this being a really good party, we had

Glen & Debbie Ballou – Synergy

Al & Colette Skinner – Euphoria

Scott & Bernice Mason (aboard Synergy when we got there, don’t know how they got there)

Frank & Joanne DeBernardo – Mischief

Sheila Thomas (Synergy too, we think)

Dick & Elaine Tilton – Lady Elaine*

Matt & Marie Hayes – Aldebaran*

Steve & Rosalie Blunden – Twilight Zone, and of COURSE…..

Han & Edith van Oostendorp – Asterion.

* did not make the raft party…missed you all.

There could have been more, less, present or missing but that’s our recollection.

After the New Format Duck Prize Drawing, in which Rosalie made up one prize in a trash bag for each boat, and each boat picked a number, the party broke up after 2000 hours (gentle reader, note the earlier timetable) and we all headed back to our yachts. Han and Edith needed a bit of assistance, as their dinghy engine failed on the trip back to Asterion and your Cruise Directors, seizing a potential salvage opportunity, chased them down with a net result of a couple of inflatables full of salt water and everyone safe and sound aboard their respective vessels.

The fireworks show was excellent, with some new displays that we’ve not seen before, the Fundacion Amistad made some money on tie-dye T’s and hats and a steady breeze blew all night, keeping the 14+ boat rafts that surrounded us perfectly in position. A little chop in the morning but all in all, a lovely weekend on the water! Thanks to everyone who made this a success!