Labor Day Weekend, 2003

Our guests started arriving Friday evening, so we started the party early with onboard cocktails, followed by dinner at VanCostas Mediteranean Restaurant.

Saturday brought sun and a good breeze. After lunch and conversation above and below deck, Captain Mel called all aboard to batten down the hatches, and we took off for an afternoon sail. With fifteen guests . . . all either in the cockpit or on deck . . . it was a sail into the Chesapeake Bay. We returned at sunset to find Kathie Catlin and her daughter, Leslie from Richmond, waiting for us on the dock.

Kathie and Leslie came back on Sunday. Lyla Haggard, our Tampa buddy, joined us too. Later, friends Frank and Ginger from Spice of Life on Dock A came by. Hampton locals, Joe & Mary Frances Lieberman, and Shantal & Red Eilenfield followed. We were so busy talking and eating, we forgot to take pictures! Unfortunately, it rained all day, so no sail. But, a good time was had by all.

Thanks to our friends for sharing this weekend. Now you all know why we love sailing. And, you know why we love our Ginger! Here are a few of the photos from the weekend:

As First Mate, Barbara served as hostess for the Labor Day "Open Boat."

Below: While Bob Meredith from Marietta, and Linda Elmes, our British circumnavigating neighbor from Dock D-3, thumb through the guest book, Susie Watson from Roswell, serves up some goodies. Mel sits with Wade Burns from Montreat, NC, at upper left. Neal and son Ethan, half of another circumnavigating family on Jennie, sit lower left.

Below: Mel and Jerry Cucci, (Captain of hull #11) show off the Outbound 44 logo. Jerry and Diane take possession of their Night Star in early October.

Below: Brenda Meredith makes a point. Or, she is pointing to where she hopes we all end up if the boat sinks.

Below: Jerry & Diane of Night Star

Below: Susie & Wade

From left to right: Diane Englund, Captain Mel, John Elmes, Jerry Cucci, Bob Meredith, Bill Weeks, Sherry Weeks. Seated below: Brenda Meredith, Betty Waldron.

From left to right: Betty Waldron, Linda Elmes, Robert from Blothie, Susie Watson, Wade Burns.