SML

What a great weekend for sailing at Smith Mountain Lake! Gretchen and I had a wonderful day on the water Saturday; warm and sunny day, constant breeze and a reef in SunShower's sail! We sailed for over five hours. One time over twenty sailboats converged just off of Rabbit Island with spinnakers flying; a grand sight! (Photo above by T.J. Witten) I returned on Sunday for a repeat.

It has been a great privilege to have access to the Lake over the past 37 (yes, 37) years as a member of the Virginia Inland Sailing Association. I have great memories of racing Lightnings, Bristol 22s, and Rebels. Although Gretchen has been an active sailor and crew, her memories of racing might not be as fond. When we were researching the purchase of our current boat, she said any one would be fine as long as it did not have one of those "damn" spinnaker poles! SunShower fits the bill being trailerable and stable with no pole.

We have fond family memories of camping at the lake, the club social events, and the girls attending Sail Camp with Elfie. What a joy it was to see Kelley and Katie learn to sail their Laser. First being too small to hold the boat down alone and then progressing in their skills by sailing around the designated progression of lake islands. VISAYC is truly a great place for kids!

And the Lake keeps giving, as Jenny and Jeff bought a home in the Boardwalk and came home to Virginia! How great is that!