Western Challenge Friday Report

Not much to report sailing-wise other than we were skunked for beeeze. A total bummer BUT it gave everyone plenty of time to hang out and catch up which, in a group like this, is always great to do.

In twenty-five years of DN sailing I’ve always been amazed at the scope of vocations, avocations and personalities of the people who are involved in this class. Boat captains, doctors, pilots, engineers, musicians, artists, landlords, composite experts, sailmakers, lawyers, boatbuilders, at least one plumber…. The list goes on and on!

Where are these people from? I can tell you that yesterday I chatted with people from Minnesota, Maryland, New York, Maine, Wisconsin, Ohio , Illinois, Rhode Island, Michigan, Germany, Massachusetts, Canada, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Australia. All hanging out in a lake in northern Minnesota. Not bad!

A quick count showed roughly 70 boats here, also a great turnout. We have even spotted a smattering of women and younger sailors in the group, good to see but would be great to have more of both…. Please recruit more women and children into this little cult….

Did I mention some night owls saw the Aurora Borealis last night?

Hoping for breeze today, will update as things go. Looking forward to doing some sailing…. In the meantime see below for some miscellaneous photos.

Think ICE!

T. DN US 5224

The frozen pizza section at Larry’s Food Store:

A small woodpecker eating suet off a deer carcass that someone left hanging from a branch:

Lake Christina from the top of a hill….

Aussies in Minnesota. How the hell???

The Deep Creek-ers made it out:

Action photo from the road:

The launch area Thursday afternoon, before the horde arrived