posted 01-21-2011 02:19 PM ET (US)        

We normally meet at 9-10am at the ramp and head east towards the cowpens(Manatee hangout & 72 degree crystal clear springs) around 11am. There we eat, drink, swim, and be merry. I will try again this year to have a poker run but we'll discuss that at the ramp. Bring food and cheer and plenty of beer. Usually around 4-5ish we start heading back to the hotel which is about 1/2+ hour trip. We can and usually do stop at a bar or 2 on the way back or you can continue to the Tiki at the hotel. Once home and tied up we will hang out at the Tiki while those who need to shower and/or nap can do so. Around 7ish we usually head to the fire-pit and start dinner and a fire. We will have tables for you to setup your dish, etc. We will also have grills for cooking. Usually everyone brings a dish to share so pipe in what you are bringing so we know what not to bring, etc. Food is never a shortage and there is a store down the road for those long haulers to buy stuff that may spoil, etc. There is also a seafood market within walking distance if anyone wants to buy themselves something special to eat(you don't have to share or you can). We do need plates, forks, firewood, ammunition/explosives, etc so one can bring that instead of food. After dinner we(usually) have party favors and gifts to pass out to the members. Then we sometimes go to the Tiki and listen to the band. Afterwards we mosey back to the fire and slur and bable til the wee hours or until the manangement tells us to go to bed.

Sunday we have breakfast at 9ish at one of the local establishments and usually go for a ride down the river to the gulf and back. This is about 2 hours or less and very peacefull and natural. There is nothing to do out west and hence why we don't do that on Saturday. Basically MacRae's is the last place west on the river besides houses. Then we pack up around noon and leave. There are on occassion some who stay Sunday night so you can do that as well. Some have also come down on Thursday. Most however are Saturday.

This rendezvous is our largest and keeps getting larger every year. We have been doing this since about 2001 but I believe this is our 5th(maybe 6th??) "official" homosassa rendezvous. This is a family oriented gig just like all the others but it does get roudy and goes long into the night. Since we take down the WHOLE hotel we can pretty much do what we want because who will complain. I HIGHLY suggest those with youngins have something or someplace for them to go/do after dinner(movie, video, sleep, etc) as it does tend to get very adult. I am just warning those who have not attended. For those who have, you already know my warning is worse than the bite.

Who's coming? What ya bringing? Hope to see everyone there....again.

MacRae's: 352-628-2922 or go to www.Macraesofhomosassa.com

To reserve your room you need to call them and SPECIFY that you are with the Whaler club or they will tell you they are booked(because they are). You then give them your credit info. If you are not positive about coming please do not book as rooms are not plentifull. If you are positive but not 100% please reserve your room early as you have 48 hours to cancel and those who procrastinate have to stay down the road at a higher rate. We are 2 rooms short of last year so it is gonna be tight. Call now...operators are standing by!

posted 01-21-2011 02:59 PM ET (US)            

If you change the dates we might have a problem.

Jim and Joan and our Aussies Samantha and Taylor.

posted 01-22-2011 01:16 PM ET (US)            

Probably would be coming solo again and may need someone ELSE to back my rig down to the ramp for me Saturday afternoon for proper retrieval...

posted 01-22-2011 07:49 PM ET (US)            

Ya baby Ya!! - I'm bringing my American Flag, palm size for waving.

posted 02-24-2011 10:18 AM ET (US)            

By the way, tried something called 47 last night, essentially, or made by, Makers. You gotta try it. SMOOOTH!

posted 02-28-2011 10:50 AM ET (US)            

Me and Frank need some Slivovitz or Zwack (is a Hungarian company producing a variety of traditional Hungarian liquors and wine since 1790, founded by József Zwack.[1] Their best-known product is Unicum, an herbal liquor, which is exported to 40 countries world wide, sometimes under the tradename Zwack.[2] The company also produces various Palinka (Hungarian fruit brandies), as well as distributing Hungarian wines, among them several vintages of Tokaji.
Zwack's main brands include Unicum, Unicum Next a sweeter/milder version of Unicum (which is sold in the United States as Zwack liqueur), Vilmos pear palinka (simply called Vilmoskörte), St. Hubertus orange liqueur, Fütyülős apricot palinka, and Kosher plum palinka.)

Nick needs Ouzo and Metaxa

Len's doin rum, coke and lemon

AND we need to kill a lamb, who's bringing the spit?

I'll bring my cousins....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdWFKOtgHWM&feature=related

Can we go sponge divin?

posted 02-28-2011 10:12 PM ET (US)            

I'm gonna try to get HUNG-Garian Janos Nevai to come to the shindig.

posted 03-01-2011 09:31 PM ET (US)            

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge_gUwUKfCE

posted 03-17-2011 10:01 AM ET (US)            

Goat cheese or Goat ROPERS?

posted 03-23-2011 09:18 AM ET (US)            

My OR-20 is in the same area and there is a potential problem in the boat's wire and hose tunnel. As you may be aware, that space is large enough to raise a family of rodents. I have removed many leaves from the tunnel and cleaned it thoroughly when I rebuilt the fuel tank cover. I have put screen wire over the entrances to the tunnel and put moth balls in the tunnel. Any damage in this area would be a catastrophe.

Thought I would pass on some of the worry to the rest of you.