Summer Memories

I took this photo from the Grand Bend south pier a few years back at sunset. Can not wait till I see this type of scene once again.

With Spring here now I am looking forward to what this summer offers....hopefully a lot less rain than last summer.....George Dutka

Buffalo Masters Basketball Tournament

The London Huff n Puff gang after the final game.

Last weekend I was part of the London Huff n Puff  basketball team participating in the Buffalo tournament. We fell in the over 60 age group playing against some really good ball players......some are former college players. I was surprised how fit most of the player actually are. I did some huffing and puffing chasing many players 5-10 years my senior. Teams came from Chicago, Toronto, Ohio, Florida and Indianapolis to name a few. Our team had 14 players. All but three of us are over 65 including a few pushing 70......it is looking like we may fly this fall to St. George, Utah for another tournament......two hours north of Las Vegas....but the Detroit tournament is first this summer......forgot to mention a small part of our current basketball team participated and represented Canada winning the bronze medal in the Men's Masters (Olympics for the over 50 crowd) in Australia a decade ago...George

Florida Keys - Marathon Seafood Festival

Susanne and I pose as Brad takes a photo of us at the entrance to the Marathon Seafood Festival.

Down in the Keys

A year ago today Susanne and I visited with Brad and Jill down in the Florida Keys. Our visit to the Keys was planned so we could attend the annual seafood festival held in Marathon......Mile Marker 49! Next to all the seafood offered at a line of booths was some cheap beer that one needed to wait in line for sometime to get. There was a non stop music program that made waiting worth it. One also found many crafter's booths worth checking out. The girls came away with some memorable souvenirs.....George Dutka

Here one sees the line of food booths. To my surprise the Konchwurst is one of the highlights for attendants. I guess a second visit will be in order for a taste.

One of the booths had some interesting fish made from palm leaves. They also had some cool fish crafted from coconuts.

Future of Copout

Copout out for the GBYC 2012 sail-past during the May 24 weekend.

Our daughter and son-in-law had their Tanzer 26' sailboat for sale last year. Well I think I found them a buyer. New to sailing, this gentleman was looking for a Tanzer. He was extremely interested when I mentioned I would help him get it rigged in the spring and take him out till he felt OK on his own. To my surprise Kyle and Dee told me they decided to keep the boat and launch it in once again in Bayfield......but not till the 2015 season as they still feel the kids are a bit to small. This was a nice surprise for Susanne and I but not so good for the buyer I had lined up. Really looking forward to see the gang at the lake once again......George Dutka

Smart Phone Photography

How times have changed......in the February 2014 issue of Sail magazine they included a feature covering 6 tips one can use to get better on the water photos using a smart phone. It appears we are moving away from the camera these days. Two of the tips I did find noteworthy. One use your RayBan sunglasses to shoot through to get a polarized effect out on the water. The other is to print your best and precious images on good quality paper as it appears no one is sure yet if files will be readable and usable into the distant future......paper will......George Dutka

Sarasota Waterfront

A few winters ago I took a early morning drive down to the Sarasota waterfront one morning before Susanne got up to check out the sailboats. We were staying in Siesta Key on the beach a 5-10 minute drive away. The boats were nice to see.....some I think are live-a-boards.....George

A sailing club at Sarasota has sailboats for rent if you want to take a sail through the harbor.

There was some nice looking boats on the moorings. As I walked the shoreline which actually is a nice park with paved  trails and benches one can find a number of dingy docks.

I am thinking this one is a live-a-board boat.

Fishing Fleet - Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs Florida is home to a large fleet of fishing and sponge collecting boats. One of the older wooden boats has a familiar name.....George