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the 11th annual North American Wayfarer Rally
Participant Reactions
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, September 04, 2010 2:10 PM
Subject: Killbear Rally Report

Dear Alan and Mary,

I apologize for taking this long to get around to this. I want to express my appreciation - I'm sure that of all the others as well - for the terrific job you did planning and running this year's North American Rally.  It is clear that you worked very hard (and had to have lots of help from Mary too) in making this one of the best organized and well run rallies of any up to now.  (Jane, who might be willing to pass up some of the sailing loved the social activities and wouldn't have passed on any of it.)  It's going to be a challenge for the next rally leader to maintain the new standard you've set.  Thanks many times over!!

On a different note.  Jane and I decide to leave on Friday, a day earlier than we'd originally planned, even though it was a very nice day.  Having arrived a day earlier than most, and with Jane being a new Wayfarer sailor, I felt that she was ready to call it a week.  But I still felt guilty about leaving early.  Knowing from last year's rally at Wellesley Is. S.P., when it looked like the weather wasn't going to be quite perfect toward the end of the week it became a downer for those few remaining to become so diminished in numbers.  (I kind of ran into the same thing at this year's Chesapeake Cruise - with the cruise kind of dissipating at the end sooner than planned.)

I realize that there's always going to be solid reasons why some participants can't stay the whole week.  It is wonderful to see old friends regardless of their length of stay.  But I'm also trying to think of ways that might make the last day of the rally more interesting - such that maybe folks like Jane and me will be less tempted to want to head home early.  This is just a thought bouncing around in my head right now.  Maybe that's just how it is.  But if any of you has a suggestion for next year's rally at Hermit Island please let me or one of the others know.

DICK and JANE
   
----- Original Message -----
From: Annelies Groen
Sent: Monday, September 06, 2010 12:53 PM
Subject: Killbear Rally

Alan and Mary,

I would like to add my thanks for the efforts you both made to make this, my first Rally, the highlight of my summer. I found a wonderful group of 'kin' to sail with and a well organized cruise to enjoy. As for the end of the week, I agree with Dick and Jane that something for the tail end may entice more to remain (though a family obligation meant that Monica and I had to leave early). Perhaps a scavenger hunt with prizes using sightings at certain compass bearings (colour of house, type of boat on a dock, nationality of flag, etc.).  (Al's note: I love that idea!!)

Thanks to everyone as well who helped Monica and me through a variety of newbie cruiser issues: sand-stuck centreboard, how to get bow-line anchored, getting 6090 on a poorly fashioned trailer with a side wind, etc.). The warm welcome extended  sealed our resolve to join the cruise again next year.

Annelies and Monica