This might turn into a nice swap meet....:)
I will round up the surplus and bring it !

Denny earmark the Stoltz for me, the Hewes will love them
over the 2 X 4 rollers..:cool:

Been thinking about the menu for Saturday night as well...

How about Fried fish fingers (fresh of course) black beans and rice
with freshly chopped Vidalia onions....;););) to mix in ??

I will do the rice and beans on the propane cooker.
Have 20 lbs of jumbo shrimp in the freezer of which came off the
boat last month ...

Willing to make a gallon of tartar sauce and shrimp dip !!

Lets try not to duplicate services...

With the way this is shaping up we could be around 50 people..
I know we crackers know how to have a party !!

Ok, lets Do-it !!!

Sounds like a great start Ken. The black beans, rice and Vidalias is good by me, especially since GFS will be sleeping outside in the breeze, way down by the river, on his Five Star picnic table.

I'll bring the fish fry and hush puppy mixes, peanut oil and frying hardware. If my supplier is still one step ahead of the law I'll also bring some apple pie (you're welcome Dougie).

We will need help on paper plates & bowls, plastic ware, solo cups and paper towels.

More to come..........

I know the weather is going to be perfect but just in case we were able to secure enough fillets to cover the the fish fry Sunday defying the angry storms and filling the coolers with grouper and endangered red snapper.

Information for all who have made reservations at MacRae's.

I called to confirm their cancellation policy, under normal circumstances it's 48 hours before your reservation, however in this case because it's a natural disaster they will not hold anyone to a strict 48 hours.

We're still planning on having the gathering and are wishing everyone the very best.

Thanks Don.

I called Bill on Black Dog this AM. Nobody has run Jupiter inlet more than he in the past 25
years. He is an active member of surfrider and those folks use magicseaweed.com
over NOAA and others. Did I just hear Denny snicker?

They believe the Bermuda high will shift east.

I just saw the latest tv forecast and they had the GFS line doing the same.
Coincidence?

They really do have a GFS line.
I have no affiliation.

Turn your fans east please.

Am I making Welly again?

Ya know I was starting to worry about myself because every time I see the GFS line on the NOAA maps I think of you!! I have an appointment with the head doctor tomorrow to see what can be done to help me. There has to be a cure!

I did notice the line has moved to the east from this morning, Deb and I only have eastern moving thoughts for our friends on the east coast!!


Q "Am I making Welly again?"
A Duh!

I have only put a few docs into early retirement.
Count?

Conditions at McRae's & Homosassa?
 

I haven't heard much from the gulf coast members; probably busy with cleanup, etc. We are probably headed from SC to Fla tomorrow or the next day for other reasons. But I was wondering if anyone knew the conditions at McRae's or Homosassa and if there can even be a gathering late next week? I know some area of the gulf coast got slammed, but apparently others not so badly. Been looking forward to another gathering- hope it is still on, even if only a social event.

I tried to call MacRae's about four times today without any luck. I'll keep trying to see how they fared with Irma. I'll get the results on the forum as soon as possible.

I see three options, 1. go as planned if everyone can make it, 2. re-schedule maybe month down the road, 3. try again in the spring.

Damn Irma.

I stopped by MacRaes today on my way back to Hogtown. No apparent damage except a few trees down on the road in. Did not appear to have flooded. River was up to just under the dock. Office was closed. Most of US19 was without power down to Hernando County. I suspect they'll open tomorrow or shortly thereafter when power is restored.

Here's a look at MaeRaes

Thank You Sir!! It rings busy, I'm assuming it's strictly a "land line" problem with the phone company. I would say the water is rather far up boat ramp!! :)

I had written my home off. Bailed to south of Ocala. We were lucky there. Came back in yesterday using back roads, to arrive back at the beach, and find everything as I had left it. Even house on mainland to HHI survived unscathed. SeaCraft and trailer performed flawlessly. Here until 24th if anyone needs anything local.

Vezo

I will probably be with out power at 442 till next week...:mad:

If that is the case my attendance to the gathering will not happen... :mad:

My road and property are a disaster... :mad:

Let us know the status of the gathering. St. Pete seem to weather pretty well. 420,000 without power has dropped to under 80,000. We got ours back today. Some of the city is a disaster zone some look almost unscathed. The initially NW breezes pushed 10 feet of water OUT of the bay. It was a sight to see! We never seemed to get the surge predicted after. Storm may have moved enough east for that to be a non-issue. Feeling really bad for friends below Sarasota......

Just tried to call MacRaes - phone is ringing busy. Probably out. Anyone passing by or in the area willing to run by in person and give us a status report?

They are not going to have power for a while from what I have heard. Also due to the low population per mile they are not on the top of the restoration priority list.

As of five minutes ago I was able to leave a voice mail on their phone, finally rang in. When they call back I'll let everyone know what's up!!

More to come.......

UPDATE: I got an email back from Martina (their Webmaster) and she said McRae's got their phone and Power back late this afternoon. They plan to be operational tomorrow and we can confirm our reservations, etc tomorrow.

Jim

Thanks Jim!!! So I guess it's time to poll everyone and make sure the gathering is still a go!!

I know Terry, Marsha and Doug are a go, Deb and I are still in, Denny and his lady friend are a yes. Ken and Patti are not looking like they can make it, thanks Irma and I'm not sure about the M & M team (Moose and Mel) with their work schedule all messed up, thanks again Irma.

So let's do a quick poll and verify everyone's attendance.

That is a freaking miracle! If we can get all of our customers on by early next week we might make it.

I'm in. And so is a friend of mine from SC. Bringing my 23' Sceptre too. And my mom ( the original owner of our SeaCraft that she bought new in April 1977) and my stepfather are coming up from Clearwater for their first CSC Gathering.

Very good Ken and Jim!!!!!

I broke a spring on the trailer, bit the bullet going to BOAT it (break out another thousand) and I'm going with torsion axles.....yep, that's gonna leave a mark!!! I finally got tired of replacing the springs and hardware. The trailer is 10 years old and the springs that rusted and broke today were the third set I put on....enough! This kills my "cheap bastard" reputation. :o

I'm in.

Need a flashing person to cut back shingles and finish
the new weather head here.

Thx,
GFS

Quick follow up..........Wendy from MacRae's just returned my call and confirmed what Jim said, they are "open and ready to go"! Look forward to seeing us next weekend, I guess they have a short memory of our last visit. Oh yeah, GFS good news, it seems there was no picnic table damage. :)

I got a call from Wendy at McRaes this morning also. All is good there and they are ready for our crowd. I'm excited and looking forward to seeing everyone...game on!

Jim

Sandy, Pleezze don't fall off the roof again. You've almost recovered from the last episode.

Looks like Amy and I are in as well. Will arrive Friday morning instead of Thursday afternoon. For any of you going up Thursday could you keep a lookout from US 19 down to MacRaes for low power lines and or trees. Wendy claims its all clear but I am just over 12 foot on the trailer

I wish. My feet and ankles are killing me and will continue
to degenerate.

Lots more roof damage here than I had seen.
Went up after work today.
Don't think I will make this one.
Will know more tomorrow.
Can't find materials here for squat.
FPL almost burned our house down.

We will be there (cindi and I), but will be camping a little ways down the road.

Will Cancel McRae's Reservations, Darn It!
 

Regrettably I’ll cancel our McRae’s reservations early next week before the 48 hour cancellation window. We were so looking forward to seeing our CSC friends, meeting new ones, and Mel and Moose’s stretched 23’. Some may remember Anita’s eye issue from previous gatherings. A serious infection just ruined the 2nd cornea transplant leaving her eye at serious risk. I am dispensing eye drops around the clock. All prayers for her eye and sight are appreciated. Our reservations at McRae’s are for Friday Sept 22 and Saturday Sept 23 in a kitchenette. After Irma, vacancies may be available, but wanted to make this known if anyone is interested before I cancel. Please send a PM.

Jim Campbell- Please hold our 3 shirts and we can get together later on mailing.

Have fun, SeaCrafters!

Too much roof damage here.
If anyone wants my room it is under last name Stark
I will leave this up until Monday night.

Have a great time and thanks Irma.
Not so cheery

Unfortunately I am not going to be able to make it either. I am so bummed as I look forward to the meet every year.

For those that make it take pictures for the rest of us!

Game on, Patti & I will be there for the whole weekend..:):)

Sorry for those that can't..:(

Just got my power back on at 7:30 tonight !!

Got power back here.

Mel and I are going to make it by the skin of our teeth and won't be prepared for battle as we usually are. Both her and I will be working right up to Thursday morning and will basically be throwing cloths in a bag and dragging the boat down there with minimal gear. If anybody has enough time to call down to the hotel and confirm our reservations for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights it would help a lot.

Will call MacRaes today!!! Happy you can make it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have all the paper plates, utensils and solo cups covered for the whole group Sat night

Not to be a downer but Something to think about. I just spoke with the baitshop and was told the water clarity is hit or miss. Some areas clear, others maybe 6". Hopefully it will clear up by this weekend. Anyone have any local intel?