#17 Lord Nelson Victory Tug Spontaneous Rendezvous

It's been a busy week on and off Sally W. We crossed back into the US and felt more at home docked with sailboats at Rouse's Point, NY ...

... than these "cheeseburgers" in parts north of the border.

We were welcomed back to the US by the breathtaking beauty of Lake Champlain. Vermont can indeed be proud of this body of water, framed by our state's Green Mountains on the east and New York's Adirondacks on the west. 

 It is the cleanest we've encountered, and a haven for sailors. Many are Canadians who prefer this freshwater playground to the St. Lawrence.

We picked up a special mooring in Shelburne Bay, as guests of Wesley and Patty Eldred, fellow LNVT owners! (LNVT = Lord Nelson Victory Tug) Be careful when googling. You might end up at Live Nude Video XXXX. Just go to this: lnvt.org. More about the Eldreds follows.

Sally W was left to commune with the Eldred's Little Bitt #21 while we dashed home 150 miles south to wash clothes, re-provision, and most importantly, see our family.

Daughter Poppet with granddaughters Madelyn and Clara

Boating on Lake Mascoma with Sally's sister Susie and husband Pete Weaver.

Grandson Russell on the right

Susie, Sally, Sophie and Madelyn

Patty and Wesley Eldred with Little Bitt #21

We dashed back to the Eldred's and our boats to do the final prep for the LNVT Lake Champlain Spontaneous Rendezvous. Just because our tug association holds annual gatherings on the east and west coasts, it doesn't preclude additional opportunities. 

Along with Little Bitt #21, there are two other tugs on the lake. Tugnacious #7 ...

... and Calisto #19. This made great potential for a get-together. We suggested the idea and the Eldreds immediately offered to be the hosts.

The arrival of the Howells

Word was passed, everyone loved the idea and plans were made. Dave and Vicki Howell of Nellie D #63, even drove up from Maryland, as did John and Lisa Taylor, Aramis #40, from Connecticut.

The Howells joined Little Bitt and Sally W and headed south down the lake. We cruised up the Otter Creek and discovered a similar gathering of boating zealots.

This time it was steam launches. The quiet waters of this creek were a good choice for them, and we carefully inched past each.

It was gratifying to have the chance to give thumbs up and yell, “Nice boat!” to this passionate group.

 The navigable portion of the Otter Creek ended in Vergennes, Vermont's oldest town. The basin was very popular with vacationing Canadians, so we dropped the hook and rafted up for the night.

LNVT President Dave Howell with Wesley

Whenever owners have the chance to step on others' tugs, it spawns “tug talk.” This phenomenon appears to be universal and non-stop with this group.

Even though the 37-foot tugs look alike, there are subtle differences. There was an evolution in design as manufacturing of the 76 tugs progressed. In addition, each buyer had the opportunity to specify some features. The result: each tug is unique, and it is great fun to spot the differences.

 We think there must be a special lobe in LNVT President Dave Howell's brain for tug facts. He is the clearinghouse for all details large and small.

The next morning we joined the parade to the lake, and headed for Kingsland State Park and picked up the Taylors and Bill and Keefer Irwin on Callisto.

The forecast for increasing northerly winds lead to a wise decision to fore go lunch and a swim, and head north up the lake and back to the protection of Shelburne Bay.

 But we couldn't pass up the opportunity to pass by the Burlington waterfront and toot our horns.

The weekend continued with tug talk and delicious food. Potluck can be very rewarding. Robert and Maye Bachofen arrived without their boat, Tugnacious #7, who stayed behind at her dock, nursing a bad case of cable steering syndrome.

 L to R: Allan Seymour, Vicki Howell, Dave Howell,Maye Bachofen, Patty Eldred, Wesley Eldred, Bill Irwin, Lisa Taylor, John Taylor, Sally Seymour, Robert Bachofen, Keefer Irwin

The event was a great success, particularly for the relatively new owners in the group. The Bachofens and Tugnacious are enjoying their second boating season together. The Taylors trucked their tug from California in March to Noank, CT. The Irwins just finished their maiden voyage from Maryland. This is the sixth year for the Howells; fourth for the Seymours, and twelfth for the Eldreds. We just never seem to tire of talking tugs.