10/23-10/25 - 4th Annual Gulf Coast Gathering

Wefings · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:34 pm Post subject:

Saw the Arkansas contingent coming down the river as I was delivering stuff to John and Sherry's house . Then saw them walking about in town . The water level in the bay has dropped due to fresh seafood removal . Smoking mullet tonight, getting oysters tomorrow fresh caught , looking to have a big time !
Marc

thataway · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:00 pm Post subject:

It looks like Roger is in the Panama City area, from his SPOT tracking.

I should get underway about 10 AM tomarrow (I have a potential buyer coming to look at my Century 18 CC earlier in the monring), and most likely stay the night a Panama City.

Marie will drive down on Friday, assuming that her mother is stable.

flrockytop · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:22 pm Post subject:

I just talked to Papillon. He is just around the corner from me. I found a free place to park here by the bridge so we are going to hook up in the morn and head East

thataway · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 5:57 pm Post subject:

PLAN B--always have a PLAN B! I got a late start because I am selling my 18 foot Century CC--and the potential buyer wanted a sea trial at 10 AM---I made 25 miles from my house to Pensacola Pass--and about 70% of that was directly into 2 to 3.5 foot chop! Wind was gusting to 25, maybe a little more. Since I have back problems, I figured that I would not tolerate another 175 miles of beating into this slop (probably would have been only about 100 miles)--but the wind, and storms, with possiable toronado warning with wind out of the SE ( way to John's house) for the next 2 days, then reversing and it would be on the nose comming back home.

SO...I put the boat back on the lift- and got the RV ready--had to wash it, repack the material from the boat to the RV, shock the water tank, some routing maintance etc...and after Marie has a Pacemaker check at 10:45, we will head to Apalachicola in our "dirt boat". Should be there sometime between 4 and 5 PM. Look foreward to seeing all--but would rather be going by boat!

tanker16 · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:56 am Post subject:

Another home run by Marc and the Wefings team and the lovely Mrs. Grove! Many thanks to John and Sherrie too for the beautiful gathering site. Nancy and Skip...you guys made the artic bingo great fun...let's do it at cocktail hour next year:) It was great to see friends from last year and make new ones this year. Safe home to everyone!
Tim and Shirley

stlof · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:15 pm Post subject:

Amen to that, and hat's off to John's prowess at Bingo.
Great food, great times, great C-Brats.

thataway · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:10 pm Post subject:

Wow, What another fantastic weekend of C Brat comradery! I know that Marc Grove of Wefings, has been working for at least 2 weeks on the food and logistics of this gathering--the 100th anniversary of Wefing's Marine.

John Bone, and his wonderful wife Sherri have also arranged their schedules so that they could make their lovely home available for our last 4 gatherings. John has been flying the European run, and arranged his schedule so that he was available for our gathering. Sherri has many responsibilities, including her project of "Wefing's Hardware Store" which she has made into an art Gallery and Artisan's work place in the old hardware store in downtown Apalachicola.

Anita Grove, Marc's Wife, is "THE" Apalachicola chamber of commerace--and a crisis arose this last week, where FDA is threatening to close Oystering in Apalachicola Bay for 4 months out of the year--during the height of the tourist season--and endangering 10% of the fresh oyster supply for the entire US.

The weekend started with a few rain showers. But nothing to dampent he spirits of those in attendance. Dinner Friday Night was a Low Country Boil by Marc. Lots of great spices, in the Corn, Potatoes, Shrimp, Crab, Sausage and other ingredients. Great Slaw, and desert of wonderful Key Lime Pie. The evening was rounded off by a rousing game of Pictionary--because a "Do Over" was allowed to John Bone--there was a tie between the guys and gals!.

Saturday Morning, coffee was ready at 8 AM, and the group gathered in the lee of the house, to keep Warm. Shortly Marc, had his Denver Omelts in the pans, and all were well fed. There was debate if it was wise to make a cruise--and we watched the hardy Kayakers of the Apalachicola RiverKeepers work against the current, so the decision was made that C Dory owners were more than up to the challange. John was the leader and the boats shaked through passages in the swamp and river.

Saturday night dinner was Mexican Style--corn or flour tortillas, and beans, strip stake, various chopped salsa's and spices were quickly consumed. Desert was caramal and chopped nuts, with lime over ice cream. There was a series of films apparently from some film festival about the environment--presented by the RiverKeepers, and then a long cold game of Bingo--with the grand prize of about $128 of cash, as well as some very original gifts and wrappings.

Sunday Morning, was Coffee again, with John's mothers' famous Pancakes. Folks started on their way home about 10 AM--and I suspect that all had made some great new friends, and a re-inforcement that the C Brats were some of the greatest people in the world.

This brings us to next year. Sherri said to us several times that next year she wants to put her feet up and let someone else do the work. Some of us have kicked around the various ideas, and need input from all that might want to attend. We will start a separate thread for this. But some questions were: "Spring or Fall?". A boat cruise, camping and boating, or some place where people could stay in hotels as well as boats; Marina vs state or national park vs a home? Apalachicola, Pensacola, Orange Beach area, or some places inbetween?

Marie and I have put on similar gatherings at our homes in the past. If our situation (with Marie's mothers health), allows it, our home and land could be a consideration. We don't have the wonderful type of entertaining facilities that John and Sherri have. We do have a pool, Jacuzzi, a few rooms in the house, RV facilities, and have 140 feet of waterfront, and can accomidate 16 to perhaps 20 C Dories. We also own almost half an acre next door, so there is room for a large tent if necessary, as well as plenty of parking. There are a number of interesting anchorages, as well as short cruises available, as well as restraunts, with wharfs etc in the Orange beach area, as well as Pensacola.

I have my photos ready to put up if we have an album.

Fishhawk · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:22 pm Post subject:

Bob couldn't have said it better.

Denise and I are very pleased to have been part of the festivities.

Our thanks to Marc and John for a very memorable experience.

Bob, you and Marie can count on us for help with the next one.

Many thanks to all the Brats that became part of our lives on the 4th annual Gulf Coast Gathering and we look forward to the next one.

Capt Dan

jennykatz · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:30 am Post subject: gathering

Another Great Party at Jon's . The Wefing crowd did it again . We ate Alligator ,shrimp, Oysters, Pork , etc etc. Then for dessert Key lime pie and some sort of banana icecream conncoxtion . I need to go excercise and go on a major diet after being with marc and his culinary magic.
Thanks again for the 4th gathering fo c-brats Jim and Loree

Thanks again for the shrimp it took 2 hours to clean them all We will have them with friends this week .I gave Mike some also .

Skip Hood · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:32 pm Post subject: Chiming in on the accolades

Just had to add a GIANT thanks from Patty and me to Anita and Marc, Sherry and John for another great gathering. Aside from all the great food and playing boats, it's gotten to feel like a family reunion. Except you C-Brats are more fun to hang out with Smile

. We'll look forward to joining wherever it happens next year. And I do think after 4 years it's time to take some of the load off our generous hosts.

Papillon · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:31 pm Post subject:

Oh my what a wonderful time was had by all…the hospitality was overwhelming and the fellowship of like minded people was warm felt.

I want to think our host Marc and Anita Grove and Jon and Sherri Bone for another outstanding outpouring of Southern Hospitality. Marc you can have kitchen rights at my place anytime you wish to prepare another batch of your Banana Foster.

Special thanks to the support volunteers; Roger (C-Lover) who worked his bum off prepping and washing up for the next round of Marc’s culinary wonders. Bob (Ashley-Lynn) and Allen (Simplicity) for shucking oysters for us all…eating only three to every one they placed on the public tray. Nancy (Ashley Lynn , Skip (Fishwife), & Shirley (Tanker16) for a wonderful game of Bingo..Artic Style. Below is the fruits of my winning bingo card.

Judy and I had a wonderful vacation week in the panhandle of Florida and the culmination of it with our fellow C-Brats was like icing on the cake. We look forward to doing it again in the spring or fall of next year wherever it ends up being held.

damason · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:55 pm Post subject: Gulf Coast Extravangza 2009

Many thanks to Marc, Anita, John, and Sherri for the wonderful time for our C-Brats 2009 "Family Reunion". It is soooo good to see all of the wonderful people again.

I was reading Dr. Bob's post about where will we possibly go next year. I am very happy with our past place but am open to going elsewhere if it is necessary. It might be good to visit some other places to enjoy some variety. I am willing to volunteer my help Dr. Bob if you host it at your place.

I might suggest staying at he Port St. Joe Marina, 340 Marina Drive, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456 - 850-227-9393. I have stayed there many times and they really do roll out the red carpet for you.
Guest slips available, enough space to dock 20+ C-Dorys.
Winter rates $1.00 per foot - summer rates $1.50 per foot.
Electricity, water, ice, bathrooms, showers, gas, diesel, free pumpout.
Dock Side Cafe at the marina (excellent sea food).
Park with public boat ramp.
Truck/boat trailer parking area.
Piggy Wiggly grocery about 1000 feet away, Motels nearby.
Move gallery, coffee shop, dry cleaners, within walking distance.
Good fishing, Scalloping, Tennis courts, Golf course (18 holes).

Put your head together and come up with some additional ideas.

Wefings · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:07 pm Post subject:

First of all I want to thank everyone who made the event a success . It was lots of fun and the pleasure is ours! We appreciate our customers more than you might think and have not totally ruled out having it here again .
Dave ,Port St. Joe might be a great idea as I can probably work something out with them that would be good . Its a neat bay and the Port Saint Joe/Cape San Blas [and surrounding areas] are great to explore . Scalloping ends in Sept. but that is one of my favorite pastimes . Might have to do a scalloping event sometime between July 1 and the second week in Sept.
I am enjoying seeing the pictures appear on the site and am looking forward to more !
Marc

thataway · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:24 pm Post subject:

Some how I am missing where the Gulf Coast photos of 2009 are posted. Is there an album on the gathering site which I have not found? The 2008 album is there.

Thanks--I have about 200 photos to post.

TyBoo · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:21 pm Post subject:

Here's the album for you guys. Sorry it's late.