[Rhodes22-list] Another 1/2 century Rhodie

[Steve Alm]

Thanks, Jerry, nice story.  I especially like the dog part.  I can see all
that clearly in my imagination.  We sometimes sail with our spoiled rotten
chocolate lab and it's usually a major PITA because he loves the water so
much that all he does is whine to go for a swim.  But no amount of swimming
will stop the whining.  We've even resorted to using doggy downers on him in
an effort to make all our lives more relaxed.  8-)

Happy Birthday,

Slim

On 4/27/05 8:55 PM, "cjlowe" <cjlowe at bright.net> wrote:

> About the same time Jim White was turning 50, so was I. The weekend before,I
> packed up the wife,dog(overweight,spoiled rotted, Dalmatian) and the Rhodes,
> and headed south 500 mi. to Lake Norman. The 2003 Toyota Fore-runner pulled
> the new Triad trailer much,much better than the old single axel. I never towed
> the single axle more than 60 mi. at a time, so it was a wake-up call when my
> normal 20 mpg got cut in half on the way to Lake Norman, 10.5 MPG is the best
> I got on the trip.
> Got to L.N. on Saturday the 16th ,too tired to set up the boat, parked it in
> my brother in laws driveway for the night. Sunday morning , Paul (B.I.L.) and
> I launched and set-up the boat.Paul's boss offered us free use of his dock and
> ramp,of coarse the ramp was surrounded by overhanging trees. Which is why we
> launched and then set -up the boat,takes a little more time to raise the mast
> on the water. Sunday's sail went well with 5 people and one dog aboard,5-10
> kts. wind, and more open water to sail on than I've ever had.
> Monday, it was just Carol (my wife) and Duke (spoiled rotten dog) and I,we're
> about 1/2 mi from the dock and inquires what is that in the water behind us?
> Long story short,it's the dock owners American bulldog wanting a sailboat
> ride.Ultimate dog lover and first mate implies that life will not be worth
> living until that dog is in this boat or on shore(1/4 mi. away).I stand up and
> yell  GO TO SHORE. Dog is deft. Grab line out of lazz.,tie off on swim
> ladder,lower ladder just past 90 degrees,dog clambers up like it's not even
> close to his first trip up a swim ladder.Four good shakes pretty well coats
> the cockpit and occupants with water and dog hair.Carol pats the seat beside
> her in invitation, but Bud (the newest canine conniver) doesn't want a wet
> cockpit seat,he drips his way across the settee to his throne on the
> v-berth.Bud has found his mark.
> Tuesday,THEE big day,Carol greets me with a box from my brothers and sisters,a
> garman gps map 76 s. Now ,I not only know how fast I'm going,I have an inkling
> of where I'm going.
> Wednesday,each day gets a little warmer and a little more windy. The topper of
> the week had to be when,with 5 people and 2 dogs aboard , we caught up and
> passed a Mac 26. As we quickly over took him the skipper said "ok where are
> you hiding the other motor". Thanks Stan.
> Thursday is warmer and windy,85 degrees and 10-15 kts.Get ready to drop the
> hook for lunch,then decide to get the wind on the stern,it's pushing us at 1-2
> kts,(sails furled),good enough,latch the tiller extension in Stan's auto
> pilot,and slowly cruise for a 45 min. lunch.
> Friday the wind picks up to15-20 kts,whitecaps abound.I have my niece and her
> friend out for the day,their more into napping and catching the sun than
> risking their well being,showing off the canvas.Slowly cut the sails back all
> day long,by the time we headed in I was down to about 1/2 the main and no jib.
>  Saturday,storms from the north were heading south. Winds were 20-30 kts.
> gusting 30+. Time to tear down and pull the boat.the wind was directly on the
> beam , when tied to the dock.Not wanting the wind working on the side of the
> mast as I lowered it, I tied the bow off on the end of  the dock facing the
> wind,lowering went well. UNTILL the water-skiers came by with the mast half
> way down, sure ups the incentive to crank faster.
> Sunday was a day of much needed rest.
> Monday the cold weather arrived,frost on the deck as I gave last inspection
> for the road.the trip home was long,but uneventful ,traffic was lighter than
> normal both ways,a blessing.
> Sorry Ed, but family ,free dock and room and board won out,but I will make it
> to Hartwell one of these days.If you arrange a sail-in at Hartwell next year
> for the Rhodies,I'll come for sure.
> Jerry Lowe
> S/V Country Rhodes
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