Drifters and Rum Drinks

Day Six, Miami to St Pete

A simple slow day, took the less traveled route through the everglades, crossed Tampa Bay from the South via the suspension bridge, arrived in St Pete at about 3pm. Richard Waldkirch, Mickey Southerland and Katy Ellmer, soon to be Sherwood, are here for this leg and we collect Dan Morton tonight at the airport. St Pete is very friendly to sailors, the bar is great. Ordered a few rum drinks prior to the competitors meeting and class association meeting. We don’t remember much from these meetings, hopefully I did not accept a class job. I did get stuck with the fleet dues again this year because they had not been paid. Fleet 511 owes me $25.00

Day Seven; St Pete

58 boats are registered, 10 am start today with 3 races scheduled. Wind was workable going out but faded and was too light and shifty. We were postponed on the water and after and hour towed in. Hug out in the shade at the sailing center. Wind looked OK at around 2:30 and we tried again and again were towed back in. Rum party tonight, and probably 4 races tomorrow starting at 10 am. Meeting a lot of sailors.

Back at the yacht club, and I do mean yacht club – posh – open keg, and chicken wings and other stuff – just can’t figure out how to spell horse duevers (sp?). Sorry we went out to the drift fest in the first place. This is where we should have been all day – drinking beer and watching March Madness. The Devils are kicking ass. Started yesterday. There’re not playing today. But there is an air of anticipation. It just can’t be escaped. Talking smack? Maybe we should be. If we are then for good reason. “Just a few more please bar keep. Please don’t kick us out. Do you know who we are? We be the CYC . We been kicked out of better places than this before.” She doesn’t know who she’s messing with. Morton stands up. Starts talkin. Golden honey flows. Everyone stops – listens. Everyone clapping. Young women crowded all around – in adoration. We have to get out of there. The bar keeper who just minutes ago was trying to kick us out is now begging us to stay. Too Late ! Must save it for the race course.

Now we’re off to confront St. Petersburg on our own terms – to be continued ……

John Sawyer, Lightning 14318