We all took a tow out from the boat ramp to reach the wind line and start up the canyon.
Michelle and Jim Marazzo sailed the Hough's Red
Thistle on this day.
Paul Melcon and Karen Cole sailed Paul's Prindle
18-2 Catamaran.
Once we reached the wind line, we cruised around until the Raven's Sails were up.
On the Commodore's Thistle were (left to Right)
Chris, Grant and Kelly Barr.
We reached accross to windward of the Hwy. 162 Bridge
before squeezing around the South end and heading up canyon.
We all had to go around the end pillar of the bridge, where the clearance is greatest.
It was quite a site to see the lake this full.
There were high clouds and the wind was perfect. We lucked out once again in terms of the weather.
This is the view looking up canyon. We had to keep an eye open for floating logs, but the power boaters gave us plenty of room.
Grant likes to sit up in the bow, using our throwable cushion as a seat.
We all waved as Mike Maddox drove by in his 24 foot double outboard, "White Knight".
The sheer scale of this canyon wall is amazing.
You can see the Hough's Raven at the bottom of the photo.
Feather Falls was even more impressive this year
than normal. The deep snow pack in the mountains resulted in an impressive
amount of runoff.
Since my Thistle was already anchored at the stern and tied off at the bow, Paul Melcon easily rafted up with us using life jackets as padding.
While we positioned Paul's Catamaran, Mike's Power
boat pulled in and dropped anchor at the mouth of our cove.
Paul Ritchie deployed the anchor from the bow of
"White Knight" and did some sunbathing afterward.
Yet another photo of the Commodore and Paul Melcon
positioning Paul's Prindle along side the Thistle.
Chris and Grant enjoyed the swim immensely. We all did!
This shot shows White Knight anchored with Feather Falls visible in the background.
Our Picnic Spot this year was the same location
that we have used for the last two years. It was perfect, as long as you
didn't brush up on the poison oak.
Some of the day's sailors did not stop to picnic. The Houghs and the Marazzos took in the view and turned back to start the long sail home.
This photo shows White Knight just starting the tow home.
Everybody on my boat was glad to have the tow. It would have been a lot of work to tack back.
Chris and Grant had to wear hats and sunglasses
in the interest of UV protection.
White Knight pulled us about 10 miles before we even saw the Marazzos in the Red Thistle. The Raven had sailed most of the way and motored in just before we arrived.
The Thistle dropped her jib just before we pulled anong side. Once the tow line was secure, they dropped their mainsail as well.
The Thistles could make it with 3 feet of clearance between the 1st and second pillar. The Raven had to go outside the 1st pillar and even there it was a tight squeeze!
When the tow boat picked up the Marazzos, Paul Melcon
dropped his tow line and raised sail. He was almost keeping up with those
of us who were towed.
The afternoon sun made everything look brilliant.
Here is another shot of the Prindle sailing upwind twoards the bridge.
Here they are still a ways beyond the bridge. The clearance under the bridge was only about two feet.
Movie "Raven Passing Under Bridge" 10 MB Broadband Only
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Send your photos from this event to:
thistle1274@sbcglobal.net