August 14, 2011 - Double Bayou

This was the first TMCA boat trip for my sister Patty and her boyfriend Frank. It began with Frank running aground on the approach and clogging up and burning out his AC pump. Try an August trip to Double bayou without air conditioning! Fortunately we had a spare on board and saved the weekend for Patty and Frank. As usual we filled the Job Beason marina with 20 +/- boats and had a great potluck dinner under the shelter and an evening of frivolity and liquid refreshment.

May 28, 2011 - Memorial Weekend at Moody Gardens

TMCA Memorial Day Weekend at the Moody Gardens marina. We filled the marina with boats and had dock parties, dinghy trips, and a weekend full of fun! We had 17 boats at the docks and many more were anchored out.

May 13 - 15, 2011 - Spring Fling

Josh and I were both really busy with the first Spring Fling event.  Beware - when you retire, limit the volunteer work so you don't end up busier and more committed than when you were working!   Agreeing to help out can become overwhelming if you volunteer for too much!!!!!!!  To get an overview of the magnitude of this event, please go to www.tmcaspringfling.com .



Planning had to start six months before the event and was nonstop until weeks after the event date.  A team was put together to take on this task to accomplish the largest event ever for TMCA and we pulled it off without a hitch!  Barb was in charge of the event website/registration information along with merchandise sales (crew of XX) and Josh was in charge of docking the 110+ boats and arranging transportation (crew of 15). Our lives became nothing except Spring Fling for many months.Putting on this event was a real eye opener! This was the first event of this type for our boating club.  We hosted 110+ boats and over 1000 people. 
 
The Texas Mariners Cruising Association (TMCA) is a club for boaters that like to travel the Texas coast, having fun and helping other boaters.   http://tmcaspringfling.blogspot.com

All proceeds from this event went to charity, and we're very proud to say that we raised $5,000.00 for the 100 Club and $5,000.00 for the sailing Angels Foundation.
 

 

March 2011 - Spring Break Trip to Lake Charles, LA

Saturday, March 19th - M/V Sweet Pea and Last Trade decided to head all the way home in the fog! Sailboats stayed at GYB and will head home on Sunday, March 20th. Another great adventure with M/V Last Trade. Thanks to everyone who travelled with us. This is what makes our adventures great!!!! What a group!

Friday, March 18th - heading home! First stop SPAM (Sabine Port Authority Marina). My favorite place, NOT!

Sweet Pea getting boarded by Coast Guard.

Boats at SPAM!

Thursday, March 17th - saying goodbye to some heading back. Others stayed an extra day to play!

Off to play!!!!

Racing Sweet Pea (another "newbie") back to the City marina!

Wednesday, March 16th - potluck breakfast on the dock. Daniel making pancakes for everyone!

Off in our dinghies to play!

Tuesday, March 15th - Lake Charles play day!

Monday, March 14th on our way to Lake Charles.

An exciting encounter along the way!

Sunday, March 13th on our way to Shell Island to anchor!

Another "newbie" to the group, M/V Relapse!

Anchored at Shell Island!

Saturday morning, March 12th heading out for Galveston Yacht Basin, our first stop on the way to Lake Charles. S/V More Good Timin' was the first to head out (not seen in this photo), then S/V Morning Star and "newbie" to our travels S/V Faith. 10 boats wandered down to Galveston at their own pace.