[Sloop Scoop 2009] #3 10/3 -- 10/17

[Sloop John B]

Ahoy cruisers and crew--

Now that the weather is matching the calendar we're in wind-down 
mode.  I made it out on the Sloop nine times in September (12 sails 
total, including Isle Marie).  Most of those days were a mystical 
misty/foggy dream at some point, and we had almost exclusively 
eastern winds of some flavor--it was quite an odd month that way.  So 
far I've been out once in October--a short solo sail today cut short 
by the sight of rain on the horizon headed my way. After years of 
weather-watching I timed it perfectly to have the boat put away 
before the first drop of rain hit.  (I would have even made it back 
to shore in the dinghy, but I braved the sprinkles to row over to 
talk to Gordon). I doubt I'll be lucky enough to pull off nine sails 
this month, but my ambitious goal is five.  The Isle Marie was 
stripped of her sails today, so the Sloop's days are numbered if she 
is to have company down the river.

I'm planning to sail both weekend days, weather permitting, and as of 
today (Thursday), Saturday looks iffy.  Much can change--this is 
weather and this is Chicago. I'd still like to get in one sunrise 
sail this year, and a last full moon sail (that would be Sunday 
night).  If the weather is decent I'll do a double header on Sunday 
(sunrise/midday or  midday/sunset  (or sunrise/sunset swiftly fly the 
days . . .)) to catch as many people as possible, especially those 
that haven't made it out yet this year. Your incentive for getting 
here is that next year they'll have pay boxes installed for parking 
on the street so come now while parking is still free!

MAST DROPPING AND RIVER TRIP
Tentatively I'd like to wait to drop the mast to fit in a last 
attempt at a Wednesday night sail on October 7th, which would mean on 
Thursday the 8th or Friday the 9th. If anyone is free during the day 
on either of those days, let me know (Kim? Zach?).  We may be doing 
the river trip on a Saturday to accommodate Two Acres' crew, so if 
you'd like to do the river trip on October 10th, let me know.  If 
weather or other issues interfere, the next date would be possibly 
Tuesday October 13th or Wednesday October 14th, or worst-case 
scenario October 17th.

It's the end of the season as we know it--hope to see some of you soon.

Skipper Schuy/Lisa
cell:  773-343-0153
General information: http://www.jewellgems.com/sloopscoop/index.htm
(what to do and bring, directions to the harbor (long-winded but 
interesting and accurate), etc.)

-----------------------------------------------------------

SCHEDULE (many things permitting . . .)

___Saturday 10/3
Afternoon sail. Be at the harbor at 1300 hours. We should be back by 
1630 hours.

___Sunday 10/4
Tentative sunrise sail.  Meet at the harbor at 0500 hours. We should 
be back by 0830 hours.

Midday sail.  Be at the harbor at 1100 hours.  We should be back by 
1500 hours.

Tentative sunset/full moon sail.  Meet at the harbor at 1730 
hours.  We should be back by 2030 hours since it's a school night.

___Wednesday 10/7
Evening sail. Be at the harbor at 1830 hours. We need to leave the 
dock by 1845 so we have light to raise sails.  We should be back by 
2100 hours.

___Thursday 10/8 or Friday 10/9 (let me know availability for either)
Mast-unstepping. Time TBA, but most likely in the morning (meet 
around 1000 hours).  If I only have afternoon help, it may be the afternoon.

___Saturday 10/10 (backup dates 10/13 or 10/14 or 10/17 . . . let me 
know if you are free for any of these)
Meet at the harbor at 0800 hours.  Hopefully we'll be out of the 
water no later than 1430 hours (if . . . no barges, no mean power 
boats, quick in-and-out lockage and Croissant ready to pull all the 
boats out quickly).

ON THE HORIZON
Sailboat lullaby--Winterizing, unpacking, and covering the boat for 
her long winter's nap.