October 22-23, 2005 Balena Bay Cruise

(If you like, you can skip down through the prose and go straight to the pictures below!)

Our last cruise of the 2005 season found us at Ballena Bay Yacht Club home port for our co-cruise chairs John and Nanci Melton of Freedom Won. The Friday afternoon arrivals included, Art and Betsy Fowler on Zenith, Michael Jefferies on Nantucket, Jonathon and Ian Muhiudeen on Pulau, Ron and Karen Damsen on Woodbine, Lou Zevanove on Diana and Smokey and Laurie Stover on Evanescence. John and Dennis Melton did a fine job of assisting all of us into our assigned slips and dispensing gate keys.

After we were settled in we all headed up to the yacht club for their weekly pot luck. Several BBYC members were present making us all feel very welcomed. The jute box supplied some great tunes as we all socialized in the bar for happy hour then moved into the dinning room for dinner. Socializing and dancing continued in the bar after dinner for those spending the night.

Saturday boat arrivals included Rick, Sandy and Teak Van Mell with guest’s Bert and Carey Vermeer on Vanishing Animal (Bert & Carey organized the fabulous All Islander Rendezvous at Thetis Island, Canada), Dennis, Judy, Matt and Tucker Bush on Natural High, and Jim and Bill Higdon on Blockbuster. Land yachts were represented by Don and Barbara Henderson from Kindred Spirits, Tim, Rhonda and Ian Shea from Lean Times, Steve, Gina, Taylor, Nick and Sam Zevanove from Diana, Jean and Andrew Jefferies from Nantucket, Linda Horn and Keegan from Pulau and Smokey and Laurie (returned home Friday night) arrived in the “Stover Fun Camper” loaded with grandkids, Troy, Derek, Sarah, Donny and Amber and boxes of Halloween decorations.

Touring the USS Hornet was the big attraction for the afternoon with a majority of the gang headed out in several vehicles. Laurie and her granddaughter Sarah and daughter Amanda spent the afternoon decorating the dinning room and preparing for Halloween activities.

After returning from the Hornet tours, Lou Zevanove had all the kids’ attention on the tennis courts. Tennis ball were flying everywhere and there was always a kid to chase it down. Gummy worm pie contest was next on the agenda BEFORE everyone was in costume. The older kid contestants included Matt Bush, Amber Evans, Troy and Derek Stover. Their job was to locate and extract 8 gummy worms buried in cool whip using only their mouths. Amber succeeded in beating the boys. Of the younger crowd, Ian Shea, Ian Muhiudeen and Sarah Stover competed against each other locating 4 worms. It was a tie between both Ian’s. Sarah decided to give it a try after the boys were done.

The evening dinner crowd included many I36 members in costume. The kids all got together and performed a short skit on “Good vs. Evil”. The BBYC had a casserole contest with a few of our members as judges. Everyone retired to the dinning room to tables decorated with Halloween treat bags for all. A Great Horned Owl and Barn Owl carefully watched as the group ate. Two birthdays were being celebrated, Matt Bush and Keegan Muhiudeen. BBYC vice Commodore Linda Fenn introduced their members, Don and Kathy Smith, Alison Robertson, Lowell Crow and our co-chairs John and Nanci Melton and recognized them for their wonderful efforts in welcoming us to their club.

Ice cream and cake finished off the dinner. Laurie took the kids to the cozy fireplace near the bar for Halloween BINGO while John and Smokey took care of the adults BINGO in the dinning room.

Sunday morning found John and Nanci along with BBYC members, Don, Kathy and Alison and I36er’s Smokey and Laurie busy preparing breakfast. We feasted on pancakes, cereal, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, links, sweet rolls, bagels, fruit, juice and coffee.

The BBYC members were very impressed with our turn out and “family friendly association”. Our cruise-in, with kids, was a FIRST for them and they loved it! We received numerous compliments all weekend about how friendly and helpful we were during our visit. I received this e-mail from Kathy Smith- “Laurie - You are a doll - You don't know how much it meant to "us" to be blessed with your club cruising in to ours. Thank you all Islander 36'rs; Kathy, Social Chair and on behalf of all members of BBYC."

We would like to thank the BBYC, their wonderful members and hospitality and a special thanks to John and Nanci Melton for making this a great weekend.

This concludes our 2005 cruising season and what a great season it has been!

Pictures are compliments of Barbara Henderson, Bill Higdon, Smokey & Laurie Stover, and Rick Van Mell.

Evanescence	Smokey	Blockbuster	Natural High arrives
Smile!	Tucker knows the way!	Safely into the slip	Vanishing Animal
Teak greets Art Fowler	Father Lou Zevanov	The gang on Zenith	Woodbine
	Evanescence	Pulau	Tucker meets Teak
Ready for fun	Oh....that feels good	Max gets attention too	Harbor Rats!
Linda Horne	Sandy's ready for fun	Los Hendersons	Dressed in style
Arghhh, say Ron & Karen	Ron, Don & Barbara	Bat-Shea helps Rick	The perfect family
Kids show...	wounded Pirate	Elvis to the rescue	The Cast
Charming!	Food tasters assemble	The sample dishes	Ready to work
Tim decides; Carey notes	The Winner!!!	Sure was good!	Entertainment
Great bar	What's up Doc?	Judy & Matt Bush	Karen Damsen & Laurie Stover
Where to put the carrot?	Udderly impossible!	BBYC Vice Commodore Linda	Who's the best?
We are!	Our Heros - Smokey & Laurie	Cheering section	Great cake!
Bill & Jim Higdon	Bert & Carey Vermeer from Canada	Thanks John Melton!!!	Ship deserters
Got you now!	Good performance...	Thanks says Amber	The Cast picture
Proud parents	Last year's crew	What IS he thinking?	That's IMPOSSIBLE
Sharing	The Jefferies	Nanci Melton smiles	Please pick me...
Prize winner	Awarding goodies	Good crowd	Great Balena Bay crew
Fine table...	and guard!PICT2719	The winner again.	Barbara & Don Henderson
BBYC vice commodore Linda & David	Billy Bones and Miss Sarah dance away	BINGO ball caller, John	Curtain call
Dennis, Nancy & John Melton	Dig deeper	Do you have a date for the evening	First, the older kids give it a shot
Flight deck	Flight simulator	Friday night pot luck	Good always wins
Good vs evil skit	Hanger displays	Hornet crew	Hornet hanger
Hornet tour	Ian & Tim Shea	Ian, Linda & Keegan of Pulau	Adults BINGO
Amanda gets a taste	Art & Betsy hit the dance floor	It's a tie	Jean, Linda & Steve watch the games
John Melton	John shows Ian & Keegan what big muscles he has	Jonathon & Ian at the bar	Jonathon and Ian dock Pulau
Karen, Ron & Smokey	Kids Halloween BINGO	Kids table	Laurie & Smokey hit the dance floor
Linda, Karen & Ron enjoy a few laughs	Lou's tennis lessons	Matt & Troy enjoy tennis	Mommy Amanda gives her a hand
Nancy heats up the buns	Pam, John & Nancy Melton