2002 Lake Champlain USWA Cruising Report and Photos
from Dick and Margie Harrington

Greetings, gang:

Well, should I be one of those people who has an ego problem, I might be thinking right now--I bet they are saying, "What in the world has happened to Dick Harrington?"  Shall we dispense with that first? I've been busy having fun sailing.  Only a little more than a week ago, I was still gazing across the beautiful clear blue waters of northern Lake Superior, continuing to be amazed and mystified by her majestic densely forested mountainous shores and rocky islands.  Rob Golding, an Englishman whom I had never before met, spent two weeks with me sailing this wilderness coast of the greatest of the Great Lakes in Blue Mist.

Rob is not only a excellent sailor, but also managed to put up with my idiosyncrasies and antics without the slightest whimper for the whole time.  Since during the whole trip we saw less than a handful of humans, hardy folks kayaking and camping, did he have any recourse?  The black bears we encountered certainly weren't all that obliging.  Anyway, please accept my apologies for not answering all your very kind e-mails regarding the Lake Champlain rally these past several weeks, as I've been either engaged in the process of preparing for the cruise, cruising, or, alas, cleaning up the mess afterwards.  Margie's laundry basket still remains piled high!

Several of you have e-mailed to express your enjoyment and enthusiasm for the Lake Champlain cruising rally.  The rally was not all that difficult for Margie and me since, as I hope you know, we had lots of help.  Al Schonborn, though having his hands full helping and supporting the CWA with the racing program as well as keeping up with the Whiffle Web, has consistently supported and helped in the planning these rallies.  I listen carefully to his advice.  Tom and David Greafe have also provided helpful support, and I for one, am especially grateful for Dave's skill at cooking steaks and baked potatoes over an open fire. As far as I know (except for some of us camping in a swamp) there wasn't a single complaint or unhappy episode.

Although, as a rule up to now, we've attempted to have the rally at a different location each year so as to vary the venue there seemed to be a strong sentiment to have the rally next year at Burton Island again. (Next year we'll get you a better handle on the preferred campsites.) Lake Champlain seems to be the favorite location.  Now that you've had additional time to mull things over, I would like to visit this topic one more time.  Those of you that will, please confirm your feelings.  Do you still prefer Lake Champlain next year (knowing that in 2004 the rally will be a combined event with the International Wayfarer Rally at Parry Sound, Ontario)?  Do you prefer Burton Island as opposed to Button Bay? Is there something else you want to suggest?

On the way back from Lake Superior we drove through the town of Parry Sound.  Parry Sound itself is midway up Lake Huron's Georgian Bay and is a very large and deep sound that connects to the main lake.  It is an area of scenic bold granite rock formations, green spruce clad shores and islands, cool clear waters, and good sailing winds.  The town is a tourist's delight--picturesque and quaint with numerous shops, restaurants and tourist attractions.  I feel very positive about this place as the location for our combined North American/International Rally in 2004.  However, there is one drawback that I'm going to warn you about right now.  Getting through Metropolitan Toronto is a true nightmare.  I'll bet that even the most hardened drivers from Chicago and LA would pull their hair out in such traffic--bumper to bumper for several hours in any direction.  Be warned!  Make sure to plan your travels through this city in the wee hours of the night.

Lastly, Margie and I have some photos which I'm going to scan and attach. Not too many of course, and unfortunately we didn't get shots of  everyone.  Just too many bases to cover and not enough time.  I would like to get a write-up, or two, from some of you of the rally which we can post on the USWA web site, as well as the CWA Whiffle Web, and the USWA magazine, The Skimmer.  Al has some nice photos already up on his site and I'll be glad to forward all of those that I have.  I believe I talked to several of you about making a contribution, but any volunteers will be very much appreciated. 

I'm back!  Happy sailing and best wishes,

DICK & MARGIE

Arrived at Last
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Diane, Margie, Bruce Leonard and Tom Erickson
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The Wallaces in Ab faB.
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Margie Keeps Jake’s Feet Dry!
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The Peglers
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Safely home on Burton Island
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The Line-up!
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The Wallaces
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Woods Island Beach
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Bruce Leonard
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Tom Erickson
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(l to r) Patsy Poulin, Kit and Rachel Wallace
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André and Monique Girard
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The Waterhouses and the Brewers

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Wayfarers who enjoyed this event in 2002
Wayfarer	Helm	Crew	Home/Club
W275	Tom Erickson	Diane Erickson	Gardner, MA
W887	Dick Harrington	Margie Harrington	Bay Village SC, Cleveland
W1037	Kit Wallace	Patsy Poulin, Rachel Wallace	TS&CC
W1071	Kevin Pegler	Shirley, Stephanie, and Drew Pegler	Fredericton, N.B.
W2526	Bill Harkins	Margie McKelvey	Alexandria, Virginia
W3098	André Girard	Monique Girard	Ottawa
W3854	Al Schönborn	Frank Goulay, Lucy Camacho	TS&CC/BVYC
W3928	Keith Brewer	Catherine Brewer, Mary & Alan Waterhouse	Montreal
W7350	Ivan Pedersen	Suzanne and Charlotte Pedersen	Pickering, ON
W9567	Jake Maarse	-	Coburg, ON
W9665	Bruce Leonard	-	Riverside, Rhode Island
W9668	Tom Graefe	David Graefe	Boston

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2002 Rally
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