When we last left off, we were about to take our first lessons at the Glenmore Reservoir here in Calgary. Lori asked to write this and now, months and months later, I have given up and am moving on out of sequence. After our Glenmore adventure, we determined that we may need a spot to practise with a cheap 20 footer, or something of that ilk. Basically, we are full of ideas, but no plan, kind of winging it as we go. We had asked around and we were told of another reservoir near Brooks, Alberta that offered space and consistent winds. Many people had boats here, and it was reasonably close to Calgary. So, off we went to investigate.
We quickly determined it was a lake of some substance, just not the prettiest lake. This is quite common on the prairies.
We also determined that some pretty good size boats were out here.
Unfortunately, we also determined that the lake was not what we were looking for. It definitely had few surprises for wind as it was a good-sized body of water with few impediments on shore to disrupt the wind. This was also a negative as were looking for a place that could give us with enough variety and nooks and crannies to keep us occupied on overnight trips. This was not a feature of Newell Lake. Can’t win them all. We will continue the search in our next instalment.
I’ll be waiting for the next story!
My brain is back on sailing. Just booked a week in Antigua to do a crew competency course on a 40 footer. We love to sail and may (a big may) look to do that dream in our retirement years.
We used to have a 43 ft ketch with 4 sails. Watching my hubs sail it was exhausting! Good luck! Antigua must be beautiful.
I’m hoping so. I have a tab on the blog called Sailing. It has a few of our earlier posts on this potential retirement project.
A week in Antigua on a 40 footer? Good work John! When’s the trip?
End of march beginning if April. It will be a blast. Figure taking a course on a vacation is pretty good thinking on our part lol.
Pretty good? Smarter than anything I’ve ever done!
Lol. It is also our “do we really want to do this” experiment.
Glad to hear you’re still pursuing it! (I’m sailing vicariously through you.)
Though I don’t know that even I’d have teh nerve to hoist a sail on that motorboat on the trailer in anything but the lightest winds.
Does it have some kind of outrigger keel or something?
Didn’t look that close. Likely a drop keel as it is a laker. Heading to Antigua for our first course in April. 5 days on a 40 footer. Looking forward to it big time.
You can use the mainsail as a hammock on the beam and closer reaches!
Sorry – close reach and close haul.
Just get out before they tack.
hehehe
That’s tacky hehe. You live near Newark?
*Groan*
NYC, baby!
We are on overnight layover there going and coming back. Likely head into NYC both evenings. I think we land in Newark 7ish both times.
Let me know when. Might be nce to meet for a beer if we can work it out.
I will for sure