The calm before the rendezvous start !!
Sun. 4-14-13
Things are really abuzz here – The official rendezvous does not start until Tues., but we had our first docktail party last night – no one wants to just jump into the rendezvous without warming up first ! Boats started to arrive en masse and Jon and the rest of the manly docking crew were out meeting and helping boats get tied up. I have been helping here and there as needed, and finalizing the “stuff” I will need for decorating.
*Spoiler Alert * For those of you who have not been able to sleep with the anticipation of seeing this years decorations displayed - do not read the following until after Tuesday !!
We are panning on dong one large backdrop of a boat with a pirate skeleton hanging from the mast. We also will be setting up 25 tables with center pieces that I made consisting of spray painting then decorating 25 shoe boxes to look like treasure chests. Actually I should not say “I” Pat came over to help me painting the treasure boxes which we completed with a grand celebration with libations ! But, prior to the celebration, we made 25 treasure maps. The center pieces will be assembled by using a base of brown paper sprayed with glue then sand applied. The chests will have jewels and treasures spilling from them and the will go on top for the “sand” then we will the treasure map, a toppled bottle also covered with sand, then assorted coins, shells and treasures strewn about the sand.
We are enjoying Jon having the weekend off from treatments just being able to relax. Being with these great people and friends is a constant reminder to of us of why we love boating and the boating community !
Things are really abuzz here – The official rendezvous does not start until Tues., but we had our first docktail party last night – no one wants to just jump into the rendezvous without warming up first ! Boats started to arrive en masse and Jon and the rest of the manly docking crew were out meeting and helping boats get tied up. I have been helping here and there as needed, and finalizing the “stuff” I will need for decorating.
*Spoiler Alert * For those of you who have not been able to sleep with the anticipation of seeing this years decorations displayed - do not read the following until after Tuesday !!
We are panning on dong one large backdrop of a boat with a pirate skeleton hanging from the mast. We also will be setting up 25 tables with center pieces that I made consisting of spray painting then decorating 25 shoe boxes to look like treasure chests. Actually I should not say “I” Pat came over to help me painting the treasure boxes which we completed with a grand celebration with libations ! But, prior to the celebration, we made 25 treasure maps. The center pieces will be assembled by using a base of brown paper sprayed with glue then sand applied. The chests will have jewels and treasures spilling from them and the will go on top for the “sand” then we will the treasure map, a toppled bottle also covered with sand, then assorted coins, shells and treasures strewn about the sand.
We are enjoying Jon having the weekend off from treatments just being able to relax. Being with these great people and friends is a constant reminder to of us of why we love boating and the boating community !
Fri. 4-19-13 Fernandina FL.
Monday turned out to be a reality check for us as my niece, Chrissy, was running in the Boston Marathon and my family was near the finish line. It took me about 45 minutes to find out that they were all OK it it felt like some of the longest minutes of my life - I feel so disappointed for Chrissy that after all of her hard work and hours of training she was not able to complete the marathon, but we are so proud of her, and grateful for the safety of my family. Our hearts go out to the families that were not as lucky as
The Rendezvous is over and to say we got our pirate on, is an understatement !!
It was a great week of seminars, social functions, and making some new friends. Each year everyone says that that year’s rendezvous was the best, and this year was no exception – Pat and Dave, Mary and Ron really hit a home run !
I could go on and on, but I think pictures will best capture the week. The pictures are a combination of my photos, and many by Gary Whiting and his wonderful MTOA volunteer photographers. I am crediting all of Gary’s photos by noting GWP under the photos.
So, without further delay – I present you the 2013 MTOA rendezvous !!!!
The Rendezvous is over and to say we got our pirate on, is an understatement !!
It was a great week of seminars, social functions, and making some new friends. Each year everyone says that that year’s rendezvous was the best, and this year was no exception – Pat and Dave, Mary and Ron really hit a home run !
I could go on and on, but I think pictures will best capture the week. The pictures are a combination of my photos, and many by Gary Whiting and his wonderful MTOA volunteer photographers. I am crediting all of Gary’s photos by noting GWP under the photos.
So, without further delay – I present you the 2013 MTOA rendezvous !!!!
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Our amazing chairpersons -
Dave and Pat, Mary and Ron
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The whole group - about 190 people and no, we don't dress alike - we were given t-shirts to wear for the day !
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Danette and Lynn
Susan and Pat rolling the bottles in the sand !
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Starting our decorating - Susan, Pat, me and Su - it was steaming out !
My awesome decorating committee !
Me and my guy - let the pub crawl begin !!
there was 150 of us in the pub crawl, Jon and I lead a group of 50 - we had a blast !
Getting our pirate on
Ann, me, Robin, Susan June and Jan
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Jon and Bob
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Jan, Bill, Robin and Aubrey
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Go Susan !
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Our new pals - Laura and Ward
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Jon and Robin
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Jana, Sally and Kathy
They are going to kill me but I love this pic of Sally and Jana !
Susan and I
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Parading through town
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Vern the legend
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Go Sally !
Ron and I
My new friend
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George
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Jon and Barbara
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Dave and me directing traffic
Pat and Gary
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Ann, Me, Robin, Susa, and June
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Dave and Ron present our president Barbara with the MTOA flag to mark the official beginning of the rendezvous
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Vern and Lee lead us in a beautiful and moving singing of "America the Beautiful"
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Sign up desk - ladies lunch, boat visitations, vessel inspections, crafts - it went on and on...
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We raised money for the local school's special needs students - Mary presents the total to the teachers
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We had lots of seminars and classes including:
Shooting off flares
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Gente chair exercises
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Photography classes
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Boat painting
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Crafts
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Cruising destinations
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Jon and I were mentors this year to Doyle and Lavina who arrived with a beautiful Rosborough !
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The MTOA board of directors
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Our big meeting
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Proof Jon and I attended some of the meetings !
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Ellen organized a raffle so that everyone won great prizes - we won a marina stay at Palm Coast which we promptly traded for Fort Pierce !
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Bob and Pat - Pat is also my pilates and book club pal !
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Steve and Linda - they are also our friends from Banana Bay
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Our MTOA burgee
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Did I mention we enjoy our libations ? Steve and Mary Kay tending bar
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Did I mention we like to eat ?? This was one of the socials and the food table goes on forever !
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Our hot dog lunch contigent !
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Getting read for the fun !!!
Thanks to everyone who gave me the shoeboxes to make the treasure chests and centerpieces for the tables !
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Me and favorite pirate - arrgg......
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Danette and Jon
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Jim, Bill and Jon
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Barry and Barb
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Love this photo !! Lee and Vern
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Jon, Ellen and Dave
Phil and Sarah
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Lucky Jim with Laura and Danette
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Mike, me, Jay, Jana, Jon and Susan
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Gary and I, no idea what I am doing
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Me dancing - note Jon standing there scratching his head at me - shocking....
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Lots of dancing
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A congo line of course - Bill has it going on !
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and the electric slide....
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All weapons must be layed out before dining
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Most folks made it out of the rendezvous intact - we only had a couple who overdid it !!!
See you next year !!