Ready for Spring

Ok, Christmas is over so now it is time to bring on the warm weather.  I am ready to get the boat out and do some sailing.  I know, I know there is a lot of cold left to go yet.  Been surfing the net today just looking at boats, parts etc. which just makes me ready even more.  Counting the days.

Port wine to crazy clouds.........

Enjoying some Port Wine and snacks on 65 Roses

A couple weeks ago we invited our SMBC North group (Dave, Mary Lou, Al, Eileen) to the boat for some Port wine, snacks and conversation.  As you look at the photo you can see there were some very colorful clouds in the west.  Of course at this time we didn't know what we were about to see.

Not realizing Eileen left the boat only to take a photo of the rest of us staring at the sky like southern gentlemen walking through New York city.  There we were in awe, our mouths open except Mary Lou, she continued with her drink.  But just what was it, and should we head to the basement of our boats? 

So as we continued to watch, the cloud continued to swirl and form this nice little tail.  As we watched it became larger and lower, then it began to dissipate until it was completely gone.  Was it a water spout, I don't know as I have never seen one before.  No matter what it was it added to the evening and our weekend of enjoyment with a toast of port wine.

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Swan Family

As many of you know Elaine can't resist helping or feeding animals. We have a family of swans that take their daily stroll through the marina looking for food. She decides to place some food on the boat and let the male swan get it. 

No more feeding the swans!!!

Why we named our boat 65 Roses

Our granddaughter, Sarah Elaine has Cystic Fibrosis and after you read the story you will know why we named our boat 65 Roses.

"65 Roses" is what some children with cystic fibrosis (CF) call their disease because the words are much easier for them to pronounce.


Mary G. Weiss became a volunteer for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 1965 after learning that her three little boys had CF. Her duty was to call every civic club, social and service organization seeking financial support for CF research. Mary's 4-year-old son, Richard, listened closely to his mother as she made each call.  The Weiss brothers, Richard, 5; Arthur, 7 and Anthony, 16 months.

After several calls, Richard came into the room and told his Mom, "I know what you are working for." Mary was dumbstruck because Richard did not know what she was doing, nor did he know that he had cystic fibrosis. With some trepidation, Mary asked, "What am I working for, Richard?" He answered, "You are working for 65 Roses." Mary was speechless. He could not see the tears running down Mary's cheeks as she stammered, "Yes Richard, I'm working for 65 Roses."

Since 1965, the term "65 Roses" has been used by children of all ages to describe their disease. But, making it easier to say does not make CF any easier to live with. The "65 Roses" story has captured the hearts and emotions of all who have heard it. The rose, appropriately the ancient symbol of love, has become a symbol of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

I hope you enjoyed the story, to learn more about cystic fibrosis please visit http://www.cff.org/.

Experience #1, #2, #3

We have moved 65 Roses to Lake Erie and look forward to capturing our experiences there for others to read about.  65 Roses is presently docked at Anchors Away in Marblehead, Ohio where we have been treated very well and the owners are fabulous.

Although this past weekend wasn't our first weekend of sailing on Lake Erie it was the first weekend that Elaine and I sailed alone, with no one to call except Boat US if we got into trouble.  So picture us heading out the channel, a bit nervous yet excited.  As soon as we get out of the channel and get the sails set and head on our course an alert from the Coast Guard came over the radio announcing that a female had fallen overboard near Marblehead, western side on the lake.  Just so happened we were in that area of the lake so we were immediately on the look out for her.  An hour or so later the alert was called off, not sure of the outcome.  We then headed on towards Kelly's Island and then turned around and headed west towards Mouse Island. 

Just as we passed to the north of Mouse Island we heard a low rumbling noise behind us, only to look back and see about 20 Cigarette type speed boats bearing down on us.  Now picture that, a sailboat in the path of speed boats going at least 70 mph.  They split and went on each side of us. There were some beautiful boats for the few seconds we could actually see them.  What an awesome experience, truly.

We then headed back towards Mouse Island and the winds were such that going to the north would have required some work and we weren't exactly sure where we were on the lake charts.  So we said let's just go to the south side of Mouse Island.  Well it didn't take us long before we knew we were in trouble, when the keel hit ground, spun the boat sideways, our rudder came out of the brackets, winds blowing us towards shore, Elaine and I saying oh #$(*!  We did what we thought was best and eventually made it out, with me physically holding the rudder trying to get us away from the island.  Elaine saved the day with her quick reactions. All in all, we ended up safe, no serious damage to the boat.

Those are experiences #1, #2, and #3 all in one 5 hour time period.  Welcome to the life of 65 Roses and the unexperienced crew.  Hey we are looking forward to next weekend and more sailing.  Next time we will make every attempt to capture our experience with photos.