May 31, 2021, Monday, Memorial Day, VYC

Memorial Day started with a horrific storm on Lake Erie. The waves were 14 to 15', with sustained winds over 30 knots and gusts to 55 mph. Annie survived without any boo boos luckily. Gary and other club members tied and retied boats throughout the day, which was fortunate for us as we were not here.

We did not come up Saturday either as it rained all day and had a high temperature in the mid 50's. We did come up on Sunday afternoon when we had sun and mid 60's temperature. John Robinson sent some pictures of the waves rolling over the break wall like it was not even there. Jim and Jola invited us to dinner where we had turkey burgers and homemade veggie burgers. They were both good, but the veggie burgers Jola made were particularly tasty.

Today was sunny and pleasant with light west winds, perfect for our Memorial Day activities and fleet parade. There was no band this year as the town parade was cancelled due to Covid-19. For the same reason we did not invite all the lagoons residents. So it was a smaller group than usual, but Commodore Koch did a very nice job and it was a nice ceremony.

Kerry opened up her Ship's Store and sold a couple hundred dollars of merchandise. Anne and her family were planning to accept our invitation to join us, but we decided to let them "off the hook". Anne had to work both Saturday and Sunday and 9-9 on Tuesday. We thought she would really prefer to stay home and enjoy the holiday leisurely. She appreciated our thoughtfulness and said she would not lie and say she was disappointed not to be coming up. 

Kip Schmidt could not join us this year because of poor health. We were really disappointed about that, as was he. It's the first Memorial Day ceremony he has missed in 30 years he said. Jack Johnson also missed for health reasons and Rosemary declined to join us because of knee problems. Time marches on and forces changes that are not always for the better. 

Jimbo is boat less this year. Tartan promised him he would have his new sailboat in June but as far as we know it has not yet been started. So, he told a group of Commodore's that he had to ride with us because he did not have a boat. I told him he could have phrased that better, like Don asked me to ride with him because he did not have a boat. Later I told some Commodores that I had to take Jim because he did not have a boat. We both laughed about those exchanges. Jim helped me "dress" Annie in her Ohio State flag like we did last year. After the ceremony I did not wear my usual t-shirt with a tie and epitaphs printed on it and two people commented about it. Next year I need to wear it.  Joe Mandanici was here cooking the hot dogs and burned some hot dogs especially for Kerry and me. 

The parade was nice and uneventful, although it could not have been. Apparently I pulled out in front of a boat coming down the lagoon without seeing him, and also apparently cut a turn to close and passed only about a foot from a docked boat according to Jimbo. I was oblivious to both events and thought the parade was wonderful. The Annie L was in the parade and looked beautiful!

We are staying overnight. I'll have coffee with Jimbo at 8:00 and help him launch his dingy after that. Will Anthony show up to wax Annie tomorrow? We hope! (He didn't)