Day Two with the Smiths

Saturday was a big day, the day of the Fall Regatta where M and R were going to race their boat. We got up with the sun to pack up the car and head out to the sailing club for the big event of which M was in charge. Sailors from all over the country and Canada were invited and it was a bright and sunny beautiful day. Upon arrival there was excitement in the air with about forty participants arriving and instantly busy getting their boats in the water and rigged for the first race. There were five classes of boats racing in this regatta. Daughter S and I had our chairs perfectly placed on the lawn because our job was to be the cheering section for their boat, the "Sabotage"—a member of the Rebel fleet.

R, showing off his "race shirt" with the name of their boat proudly displayed on the back of the shirt.

With M as captain, and R as the Sabotage crew, they're off to get the boat rigged for sailing.

I was so proud of R and he was quite excited about crewing with his dad. He's learned a lot about sailing, in fact M said that R sailed the Sabotage the last half of the race!

The sad sad part of the day was the lack of wind! Not great news for a sailing regatta. This is the way the flag looked a better part of the whole day.

Occasionally and quite rarely the flag took on this look.

This is a shot of the Rebel fleet, each captain maneuvering his/her boat to be first in line!
They had planned on four races, two before lunch and two after lunch. With the wind conditions as bad as they were, they cut it to one race before and a half-race after lunch. Mother Nature was just not on their side today.

After the first very long race Captain M told his "crew" to jump in and swim to shore, which he happily did.

R swimming to the dock where we were cheering.

Ken and I loved being with our mid-west family, and loved being on the lake with all the excitement in the air. We felt quite welcome among their fellow members. M had previously asked Ken if he'd like to be part of the support boat crew which he eagerly said "Yes!" Their job was to help out any sailors in need. Luckily they weren't needed for much assistance and he was able to just enjoy being out on the water.

Before dinner we were treated to a motor boat ride around the whole lake. Here is a shot of Ken in his PDRacer shirt he proudly wore for race day.

The club is beautiful seen here as we raced in for dinner.

The sun sets in the sky as the first day of the Fall Regatta comes to an end. Not a great day for sailing but we all had a fun day despite the wind conditions.

Life is good!