The past 2 weeks have been filled and a lot of fun. Sunday the 16th we went down to the riverfront boardwalk in Solomons to watch the Offshore Powerboat races. There were several different classes of boats with the fastest going about 150 mph.
Fast one, up to 150 mph!
Slow one, only 80 mph!
Monday the 17th we drove down to Portsmouth, Va. to attend the MTOA (Marine Trawler Owners Association) rendezvous. Portsmouth is the home of several navy shipyards and is just across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk. Monday evening we had dinner with a friend that I flew with in Afghanistan.
Tuesday through Thursday were spent with a wonderful group of trawler owners, about 180 of them. The association's logo is a turtle because our boats for the most part are slow. We attended many seminars, happy hours, wine tasting and the final night the awards banquet. Ann especially enjoyed knot tying and the womens only hands on in the water training where she got to practice maneuvering and docking a trawler. We made many friends and felt very much at home. Collected a bunch of boat cards and received several invitations to visit.
We also did a walking tour escorted by Col. Crawford through the old town section of Portsmouth. He was the original land owner and laid out the city. He was dressed in period attire of the 1600's and spoke with a British accent.
Wine tasting from a shot glass!
Norfolk side.
Sunday the 23rd we watched the annual water-mans festival in Solomons. These are actual working boats that compete for trophy's and a cash prize. The start point is at the dock and the objective is to pull out of the slip as fast as you can, move 4 slips down and back in while placing 4 lines on 4 poles in the slip. I think the winner was 20.87 seconds. There is individual heat where the boat driver also places the lines and a team heat where a second person places them. It was a fun afternoon watching the great boat handling.
The trophies.
He is on his way down 4 slips.
Turning to back in.
Full speed to the rear!
The crowds!
Fast one, up to 150 mph!
Slow one, only 80 mph!
Monday the 17th we drove down to Portsmouth, Va. to attend the MTOA (Marine Trawler Owners Association) rendezvous. Portsmouth is the home of several navy shipyards and is just across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk. Monday evening we had dinner with a friend that I flew with in Afghanistan.
Tuesday through Thursday were spent with a wonderful group of trawler owners, about 180 of them. The association's logo is a turtle because our boats for the most part are slow. We attended many seminars, happy hours, wine tasting and the final night the awards banquet. Ann especially enjoyed knot tying and the womens only hands on in the water training where she got to practice maneuvering and docking a trawler. We made many friends and felt very much at home. Collected a bunch of boat cards and received several invitations to visit.
We also did a walking tour escorted by Col. Crawford through the old town section of Portsmouth. He was the original land owner and laid out the city. He was dressed in period attire of the 1600's and spoke with a British accent.
Sunday the 23rd we watched the annual water-mans festival in Solomons. These are actual working boats that compete for trophy's and a cash prize. The start point is at the dock and the objective is to pull out of the slip as fast as you can, move 4 slips down and back in while placing 4 lines on 4 poles in the slip. I think the winner was 20.87 seconds. There is individual heat where the boat driver also places the lines and a team heat where a second person places them. It was a fun afternoon watching the great boat handling.
The trophies.
He is on his way down 4 slips.
The crowds!
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