06/03 - 06/05 Eastern Shore, Maryland gathering

Last post from Captain's Choice. We're out of here at 0800 tomorrow AM, ETA Eastern Shore about noon. See you all there, we're doing a sun dance here!

Charlie
 
What a great party last night!! Boats snuggled into a great marina, lots of good folks under a tent (with a light rain that did nothing to dampen spirits), some Semana Specials (made from Anejo rum, carried personally all the way from the Dominican Republic), wonderful pot luck food enhanced by some excellent NY Finger Lakes wines (also brought down special for the Gathering), Terraplane Tom strumming and singing some fine Chesapeake area songs (and can he play the blues harmonica with his banjo - wow!), and lots of laughter and sharing. There aren't any parties that can compare with a group of C-Dory folks getting together -- west coast, gulf coast, east coast or anywhere in between!! Cruise planned up the Chester to Chestertown today, with time to view the wooden boat workman of the Sultana organization and lunch out. Tonight a crab (and barbeque) feed! Tom and his committee did a great job organizing and drawing in the group -- a special thanks from us all.
 
Roz and I are back at her home in Baltimore. What a wonderful weekend to spend with my sister. She had no idea what to expect of this gathering, and she was delightfully surprised. We both had an exceptional time. I want to thank EVERYONE who had anything to do with this great get togeher. THANKS TO ALL. 28 C-Dorys! :shock: All of the ships, crews and future crews are FIRST CLASS. Robbi
 
Our first C-Dory function and we don't have our boat yet. Pat and I went to learn about C-Dorys and we did. The best part we learned was that C-Dorys attract the nicest people.

I love folk type music and Tom really just made the party for me. Actually some of us had moist eyes with some of his songs and the CD was evan better. Tom please post a note and let us C-Dogs know when you and your group are appearing locally. We could come and you could be embaressed for your friends in C-Dory T shirts

Thanks to all for your help we hope to be on the water soon. It sure was fun being with you.

Fred and Pat
 
28 C-Dory's at the gathering... :smileo :smilep :teeth :thup AWESOME
For sure wish I had been able to make it...but just now (almost) getting over the Japan trip/time differance and a bit of work on FreeByrd. Bill and El, thanks for the pics...and I look forward to hearing more on this great event. Looks like I will be flying back to the NW for the Blakley gathering mid-weekend Jul05. We need to get us an "Annual Gathering" calendar going...as to allow us to plot our time and courses. Truly wish I had made it and would love a good she-crab soup recipe from one of the locals up in the SE corner.
Byrdman in Bama on FreeByrd...wishing I had been there. :cry:
 
Wasn't it a GREAT weekend! When we started planning this in February, we had no idea of what fun we would be having.
The thing I noticed was that all the C Dory owners, though we had never met, were just like old friends that we had known forever. It is amazing that C Dory people have the same type personalities and interests. That is what made this gathering such a success.
It was really great to look out over our marina and see ALL those C Dorys!!!!!
Nice to see the people coming long distances, even though the weather was not too nice at the beginning. That just goes to show that we are a hardy crew!
We want to thank everyone for your help in making this such a success.

Doug & Anne Baxter
 
Wow, what a weekend! Just got back after taking Captain's Choice back to our place on the river and coming north to Stafford VA. A great time was had by all. Some mention was made of 28 boats but I think the count was 30!! I'll modify the list as soon as I get the info from all those (4) that showed up at the last minute, and we're glad they did!!

Bill, please get an album ready for us, there will be a gazillion pictures. No captions at first but I hope all will chime in and put names with the faces that we can't remember. There will be a lot of non-remembering going on, a wonderful time was had by all!!

Thanks particularly to Jeff Messmer from the factory who came with his lovely wife and gave hats to all boats and special jackets to Bill and El. Gary from Cutter was there too and when the question was asked about how many bought their boats there, nearly all hands went up!!

More later, we're both very tired and happy!

Sally says (sounds like a game?) she wants to post too, so I'll put a shortcut on her desktop and she can join in the fun!

Charlie and Sally
 
The Big Gathering Back that way , and comments about it, illustrates the Universal Truth that C-Dory owners, and prospective owners know that these boats aren't just any boats, it is a boat family. You have all been confirmed into the fold 8) .
 
Well this past weekend is going to make going back to work real difficult.
It was great finally meeting some of the names and faces that up to now were not much more than images on the computer screen. As a hopefull future owner it was really interesting to see how many boats and owners are newcomers to the experience. Thanks to everyone for sharing your
boating experiences and yourselves over the weekend. Doug and Anne,
a special thanks for the cruise on Sunday morning! Steve & Barb
 
Bill, please get an album ready for us, there will be a gazillion pictures.
Click to expand...

This being the most organized C-Brat event ever, we sure didn't want to be late with the photo album. It has been there for a month or more, and was moved moved to the top of the Cruises and Events album list a week ago. Uh uh, we wasn't about to foul this one up!

We'll leave the signup list in place for a few days in case you want to do some cross referencing with your spreadsheet (what is that, anyway?).

Congratulations to the bunch of you. We can say it and say it, but until you experience your first CBGT, there is no way to describe it.

What a neat bunch of people.
 
Thanks Mike, I should have known you were out in front of this one, just too tired to look last night. Terraplane Tom did a masterful job and we all owe him big time. His boat, Sally's Sister was front and center and I think on Sunday, he finally found time to get out on her!

It was great seeing everyone, all but one (Tom and Kathy on OTTER) were firsts for us. With the size of this thing, it's time to start planning for next year. Tom will get lots more help this time from all of us! It'll be hard to beat 30 boats but I think we can do it. Gary from Cutter has invited us to his place next year, maybe if the facilities can handle it, we ought to consider it!

Charlie and Sally
 
Well done! The gathering was a fun opportunity to learn the faces and personalities behind the usernames we associate with on this site. Thanks to Tom for making the event happen and thanks to all who helped it go smoothly. Jeff's presence was a statement of confidence and demonstrated solidarity with C-Dory's customers. Great location, great food, great entertainment and great comraderie.
Mike 'Levity'
 
Just wanted to say THANK YOU!!! to Tom, Charlie, and all who organized our first ever MD C-Dory gathering. We'll write more later, but it was a great time and wonderful event.

Big thumbs up to all!

Cheers,
 
This is Tom , The Banjo Man, writing...

Just getting around to this...spent one day sleeping, one day in Baltimore on business, and home today.

Wasn't it great? Our committee hoped it would be good, but we never expected it to set a record for a C Dory gathering...Charlie says 30 boats.

My special, very special thanks to Doug and Anne Baxter, Steve Bowser, Charlie Vinroot, John Seidel for their great help. Each played a big role...especially Anne Baxter who has a marvelous eye for detail (did you remember that we need plates,cups, and dinnerware, Tom?)...

We picked Lankford Bay for the beauty of its setting, and the remoteness...And it was a good choice.

But thanks go to all of you who attended...especially those who crossed the Bay on Friday in that 4 ft. chop... What a fine group of people. I found you all very different, one from the other, but bonded by the boat and a common thread of good humor, and kindness. Standing in the rain on Friday, eating good food and getting to know each other was a special time for me.

For those of you who worried about our costs..we are fine..in fact a little bit of surplus.

Thanks also to Jeff who came with his wife to represent the company, and Ruthie, Gary, and Joe from Cutter.

And the kind words about my music are appreciated. I'd love to hear some comments from those of you who bought the album. I can take it!

So, our committee will be meeting to debrief. My wife will kill me, but i'm inclined to go for a repeat next year, same place, maybe same time. I know that Cutter has offered to host a gathering, and if they do we all will go, but as they say, "there is something about this Eastern Shore, this place of soft shores, quiet rivers, heron, eagles, and the thump of a workboat engine at dawn...."

Whadda ya think?

tom/terraplane
 
Sioux and I would like to thank all of you for the generous spirit you displayed toward a couple who doesn't even have a C-Dory yet. (Even though if wishes were boats we would have a fleet!)

Steve and Sioux Toburen
Santiago, Dominican Republic
(Leaving Baltimore early tomorrow after three great days in the Inner Harbor to go help with Sioux's parents in Kansas City. Sigh.)

PS Everyone was so very kind to us but we especially want to thank El and Bill for giving us our very first C-Dory ride plus the low-down on what is needed to be successful in their periapetic (sp?) lifestyle.
 
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