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Madeline Island Encounter

What a wonderful three days we had on Madeline Island!!
The Surfer's along with Schwaby and I drove down Friday morning to Bayfield, Wisconsin to meet up with most of Team Iowa (Larry & family, Uffe and David) then boarded the Ferry to the island. It was a gorgeous sunny warm day when we arrived.
We spent Friday evening eating pizza's and having a few pints at The Pub restaraunt. Later in the evening we drove to our house called the Hatteras House which we rented with some others from Minneapolis. What a really cool place tucked away in the trees on a golf course! Later in the night we really engulfed the whole island groove at a place called Tom's Burnt Down Cafe. We laughed our heads off at that place!! There was a live band called the "Ditch Surfer's" playing music(?), dancing, welding, glass blowing, steel shaping, corn eating, open fire places, little signs with messages all over the place and a crazy busy bar. Strat was even asked if he was Tom Cruise! We just had a helluva time!! Got back at the house around 2am.
Saturday was spent waiting for the wind, playing a Sweedish game called Kubb and general socializing. We didn't get any races in on Saturday due to the lack of wind, but that gave us an opportunity to have lunch at "The Beach Pub" and check out a few shops on the island. We had a great chicken meal with fresh Minnesota corn (that the Iowa crew were even remarking about) all of which was provided by Fleet 8. Later in the evening we went to a place called the Bell Street Tavern which had a pretty good live band playing called "Sea Hag". Schwaby was doing her Kung-Fu-dancing which gave her some knee problems on Sunday. Later in the night we walked over to Tom's again to enjoy some of the craziness going on there. We eventually ended back at the Hatteras house to watch a lightning storm from our living room while listening to music with candle light. Another fun day!!
Sunday we awoke to the trees leaves rattling together (could have been some cob webs as well). We managed to get 5 races in on Sunday with everyone having a great time on the water! Schwaby sailed great! Strat placed second in the Limited class, and I placed first in the Open class, and first overall in the regatta!! I'm stoked with my result!! More really great times with friends, making more memories for years to come.

Madeline Island has a special magic about it that you can only feel when being there...

Have fun

Posted by Brad at July 25, 2005 5:49 PM

Comments

Holy Leinenkugel's!! I think I ( and Peter )found a new passion: KUBB!!!

Posted by: Woodette at July 25, 2005 8:33 PM

Ditto to everything Woody said.
A great time was had by all.
Couldn't have asked for a better place to hang out or a better group of friends to spend the weekend with.

Posted by: Surfy at July 25, 2005 9:50 PM

Great summary of the weekend Woody, sitting here in my livingroom after a windsurf session today here in Iowa. We had great wind here today, started with my 6.6 Loft O2, and my mistral 112L, then went to my new BIC formula (finally got it out) and matched it with the 8.7 sail. Boy o boy, that board can really head upwind good when it planes.
Great times and memories from the weekend, could you burn a CD and send to me with all the pictures? I will send my address in an email.
- Uffe

Posted by: Uffe at July 25, 2005 10:44 PM

Wow, great results guys! They're going to start not inviting you guys down to those things if you keep sweeping up.

Sounds like the goofing around was fun too!

Hey Brad, is my mast extension there?! I unpacked EVERYTHING and I don't have it!!! I can't sail without it.

Posted by: Guinevere at July 26, 2005 8:36 PM

Well Put Woody!!!!! What a fantastic Weekend.....
Great time had by all, Even though I Had to be Toed in....... lol.... Ha!! Ha!! Thank's Uffe!!!
Allway Great to get togather With team Canada For a Fantastic Weekend......
We got home about 2:30 Mon A.M..... Car ran Great all the way Home.......
Look forward to Seeing you all again in September......
Team Iowa...... Larry

Posted by: Larry Reed at July 26, 2005 9:54 PM

So happy to hear you guys all made it home safe....was worried maybe the Swede's would have to toe you all the way to Iowa!
Guin, do you have one of my bootie's? I have one of yours. You must have grabbed it after the regatta! I will need it for the crossing for sure!
Brad has checked everywhere for your extension, but no luck here either. Brad will call you!

Posted by: Margot at July 27, 2005 9:04 AM

Great pics! I like the tow surfin' w/ 1 SP - Swede Power! Gonna have to "pencil it in" for next year. Where's that motor home?

Just for back from PEI/NS and being within 5 hrs of the Canadian Madeline Isles - sooo close.
http://www.bonjourquebec.com/magazine/en/decouverte/aout03_iles_madeleine.php
Some day ...

-P

Posted by: Pavel at July 30, 2005 7:59 PM

What a great regatta! Congratulations on your results, Brad! Way to go1 I love all the pics and the place descriptions. What a great summer everyone is having!
love Mom xoxoxo

Posted by: yorkshire lass at July 31, 2005 12:21 PM