the first meeting ... (written by Jeff)

All Salts,

I have been suggesting that we do more socializing on the River/Bay this season, but little did I realize that inaugural event would be to rescue my tin workboat, high & dry on the neighbor's shore. (and leaving me on Gold Dust with no other means to get ashore!)

Cathy tried to get to it & throw a line to the sailboat with me circling offshore - but no luck. Many calls made, but too few boats in the water or their pilots still at work. What did we do before cell phones?

Thanks to Anne who picked up the phone at home and relayed the alert to John VO who was pulling traps off Birch point.

A few minutes later, Gold Dust was back on the mooring and John was deftly moving along side to pick me up. In the best luck of the afternoon 'Winnegance' nudged to the shoreline beside the bereft workboat and dropped me off. Although the tide was receding, the slippery seaweed provided a glide path for 'Winnegance' to tug the stranded boat back into the drink. Did I mention the wind was whipping up during all of this?

Of course a shower now decided to provide one last challenge, but the worst was over as the 2 boats were already at the side of the neighbor's dock.

All's well that ends well, but I fear John did not get all of the trap tending done before the weather turned.  A big thank you to him for dropping the fishing gear to lend a hand with the rescue effort. "I owe you one John".

Also thanks to all who commiserated along the way.

Let's hope the next New Meadows event is really a social one !