Gibsons - May Long Weekend 2009

14 PMPSS boats (Merlin, SeaHorse, Big Bubbles, Sonador, Possibilities, Boy 'N Sea, Almost Paradise, Annalu, Rainbow, Bull Durham, Lucky Day, Boatini, Bon Way, & ShipsCat) and their crews gathered in Gibsons for the Victoria Day long weekend to enjoy the camaraderie and friendship, and as usual we had lots of fun which this year was helped by the fabulous weather right through the weekend. The outbound journey on Friday was one with calm seas and bright sunshine. Friday evening was spent on the dock catching up with everyone's news and enjoying a few beverages. Saturday proved to be yet another spectacular day giving us the opportunity to hike, walk, troll around in dinghies, or seek retail therapy (shopping). Some of the group simply kicked back on the dock, while others couldn't resist the urge to continue boat cleaning and polishing. Tony Fantastico Gojevic (our illustrious new Cruisemaster) arranged for everyone to meet at their boat (Boy 'N Sea) aboard their dinghies with the promise of good fun. That's all we were told, and so like sheep to the slaughter we headed over there in our tenders not knowing what was ahead…..It was to be a dinghy race with handicap rules. The run was to be the entire length of the marina using paddles only. If a crew wished to use their outboard, the helmsman must be totally blindfolded, and steer the dinghy on verbal instructions from the crew (really interesting in a tight marina!) A single playing card was handed to each crew, and as the flag dropped, all crews paddled frantically with trepidation and hearts pounding (or motored precariously) through the marina to Merlin where they received a second card before the dash back to finish line. A dinghy Poker Run - How cool is that! It turned out that out it wasn't the first one back to win, but the highest card score. The ‘Little Magician' (t/t Merlin) had skipper Robin with one paddle and Grace Burrell with the other, and that tender is no lightweight - but they paddled and paddled and we got in last but one Our initial claim to fame was that we beat the Commander it turns out we had the winning hand and took the prize YEE-HA! Saturday evening, a few people headed up to Gramma's Pub while others headed over to Smitty's Oyster Bar, leaving a few to enjoy a quite dinner onboard their boats followed by a 'drink or two' on the dock later. On Sunday, the sunshine was breathtaking, and by the end of the day, there were more than a few suntans to prove it. We all gathered on the dock at around 4:00 for the renowned Port Moody Squadron 'Appy Hour' where delicious appetizers were in such abundance you could feed an army. These appy's even included a freshly barbequed salmon which had been swimming in Georgia Strait only hours before, after being hooked by Dave Burrell and the crew of Rambunctious (Mike Malo, Steve McCoach, & Les Palmer). The reality of Monday morning ultimately arrived with grey skies and a few light showers, and the armada of boats gradually left Gibson's heading towards home. Ah well, Summer is almost here as another excellent Port Moody Squadron Victoria Day cruise goes into the history books only a few more sleeps, and we'll all be ready to do it again. Chris Sheldon (Merlin IV)

Photos Courtesy of: Chris Sheldon, Grace Burrell, Arlene Gojevic