Lake Powell Gathering Campfires

[Rick from Maine]

Unlike some campfire stories where hyperbole and truth stretching are rampant, this story is true.
At the 2010 lake Powell Gathering, I enjoyed the campfires each night where everyone gathered to swap stories and lies each night. We don’t have campfires at our northeast C-Dory cruise gatherings, probably because locks and marinas discourage open fires on the docks. But, beaching the boats on Lake Powell provided the opportunity for campfires, and they were a lot of fun, especially after sundowners.
I think it was Sunday night (but it could have been any night), on an island off Explorer Canyon, when Casey, of Katmai, made the campfire and kicked off the discussions. After a while, with few spooky stories coming forth, Bill, of Halcyon, asked if there were any C-Dory snake stories. Luckily, there weren’t many, but tales disintegrated to any snake stories.
Chuck, of Two Bears, shared stories of catching Rattlers for bounty, which paid more than his job. He’d bring them home in his lunch box, to skin, and often to eat. At this point the discussions discussed which types of snakes taste best, and are most tender. Steve, of Constant Craving, stretched things a bit by claiming that Rattlers taste like Spotted Owls (I think Steve might be a little over the top!). Chuck also told about hooking up electricity to the rattles to make nice buzzing toys.
Not to be outdone, Bill, of Halcyon, told a story from his youth. According to Bill, a neighbor asked him to get rid of a bunch of snakes in her yard. When Bill got there he found baby Rattlers, which of course he had to save. So he put them in a water bottle for safekeeping. When he got home, he put the bottle on the dining room table as a centerpiece for all to enjoy watching squirming snakes during dinner.
Not being a fan of snakes, it took me a while to get comfortable with these stories. But, in the spirit of C-Brats, I have embraced these tales and contacted Martha Stewart. I told her that she could have Chuck and Bill co-author an article about entertaining with rattlesnakes for her magazine. Chuck has recipes, and can tell how to make electric Buzzing Rattles as favors. Bill would detail making a centerpiece of slithering sidewinders in an aquarium to entertain the guests. How unique. I was sure she’d instantly agree that this was a great idea. Alas, she declined and explained that the sidewinder centerpiece is only appropriate for Valentines Day dinners with Ex’s.
So, Bill, recognizing that you were young and unsophisticated when you did it; I forgive you for your social gaffe of using the sidewinder centerpiece inappropriately.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

[Captains Cat]

So, don't keep us waiting, what did Martha say?

Charlie

[Papillon]

[localboy]

Being from Hawai'i I don't do snakes. Don't like 'em, don't play with them, don't collect them...I have "had" rattle-snake though. Tasted like chicken.

Also, growing up in Hawai'i, I've obviously never had spotted owl either. I imagine one would ALSO taste like chicken, but the price per pound must be excessive.

[Rick from Maine]

Eeww Steve!!

Now I can't even look at my own post since you posted that hissing snake photo. I'd have preferred a big pot with the lid being raised by the cooking Spotted Owl. I think this confirms you have gone over the top!

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Rick,

Martha that made me do it...

On the serious side, I hope that you enjoyed the benign craziness of all the folks on the left side of the Rockies. Everyone certainly enjoyed getting to meet one of our right coast brethren. I am pretty sure that you get the record this year for distance travelled.

Steve

[Rick from Maine]

Hi Steve,

I certainly did enjoy cruising with all you west coast C-Brats.

From what I've seen it makes no difference where a C-Dory owner is from. We all have a great time cruising together.

Of course, I'm having a hard time getting the the movie "Cocoon" swimmers out of my mind after Forgotten Canyon.

Rick

[C-Hawk]

Heaven have mercy on the poor soul that sits at the campfire in Patty's chair by mistake

[JDS]

I have to say that my favorite time was sitting around the campfires, listening to the stories, watching the shooting stars and the Harvest moon light up the canyon walls like a projector screen. It was great getting to know everyone - it is the people that make these gatherings so special.
Marti

[Pat Anderson]

Patty here. Damn straight, Roger!

[hardee]

Don't want to take away from this thread, but we have had a campfire at the Sequim Bay CBGT for the last 3 years, and have had good comments about it, and good memories too.



Now back to................What's going on with Patty chair?

Harvey
SleepyC

[C-Hawk]

Someone took Patty's chair (by mistake) at the campfire. In search of the missing chair, Patty walked around the line of chairs with a flashlight until she found the culprit.
Now, I'm not naming any names- but his initials are "SEA3PO".
This provided the entertainment for the night, in lieu of ghostly campfire tales.

[Wandering Sagebrush]