As in…..The Tall Cactus Regatta and Siesta – Lake Pleasant, April 30, 2011. SKIPPERS MEETING 9AM. START TIME 10:30am
Yes, it’s time to wrap up the general club activities at Lake Pleasant for the season with a final Fun Race and BBQ before we spend the rest of the 100+ degree summer daze hiding from Del Sol.
The lake should be brimming full for us to venture out from the safety of the lower lake and explore the upper reaches and coves with a finish line the north end of Humbug Cove.
The cove is bordered with high cliffs and is fairly wide. About mid-afternoon, the winds are typically blowing out of the South for an exciting spinnaker or wing and wing run. The sight of a half dozen colorful spinnakers drifting down the cove with the deep blue water and sky, the canyon walls turning many shades of red, passing around and through the on looking crowds is amazing.
If you are able to weave you way through the party boats, and resist the sirens calls to join them, the cove opens up nicely to a large basin to the finish line, with good anchor holding. You should finish with time to relax, take a swim, board other boats to revel, or take a nap.
The cove also has a few excellent spots for a secluded sunset dinner under the stars. There is also plenty of shoreline for any daysailors to beach, or tie up to a furniture boat for the post race activities.
Dinner this year will be steak or chicken, corn on the cob (campfire style) with salads, desert, and my now infamous Spiced Rum Punch!
This is it for the NOR and Sailing instructions will be handed out at the skippers meeting Saturday at 9am. If you would like an electronic copy, I will post it on the web and send return emails to those requesting.
The start will be a 10:30am near the PH Marina Dam side entrance with a reverse PHRF order so the faster boats starting after the slower boats. The idea is to have everyone finish at the same time.
There will be a ferry barge to shuttle participants to and from the campsite to your boat at posted intervals, typically one roundup to bring you in and one or two (depending on finding a skipper) to take you back to your boat. Bring a dinghy if you can. The barge has a limited use bathroom for participant use.
Campers are able to reach the site by truck, but I would not drive a low clearance minivan or small tire car there. Maps of the campsite will also be available.
Cost is $25 per boat, that includes one dinner. Additional dinners are $10. Kids (16 and under) eat free. Sign up should be online soon. If you prefer, you may email me your entry and bring a check or cash Saturday.
DEADLINE FOR DINNER REQUESTS IS:
@@ IN MY HAND APRIL 25 @@
You don’t have to pay by then, but I gota know cause I am shopping Tuesday.
Questions, comments, observations: reach me at azexpedition@gmail.com
Fair Winds
Michael Parker
Crusing Captain