Florida Gathering in October, Another Ditch Run?

[Tidbart]

I am gauging interest in a weekend run in October. The dates I am looking at are the 18th-20th. I am also thinking of a run from WP Franklin, east to Lake Okochobee and staying two nights at Roland Martin's Marina and Resort.

This would be a fresh water run of about 60 miles e/w and would allow us the option of playing out on the lake if weather permits.

We have been to the resort for a lunch stop on our cross-Florida trips and it is clean, has plenty of boat parking, fuel, pool, and a great outside bar/restaurant. Smokediver and I have been discussing this for a couple of years and I think it is time to make it happen.

Let me know of any interest?

Bob

[biggiefl]

I'm interested or if no interest what about a lake gathering somewhere else with clear water? I have never boated by you or in Sebring area.

[Tidbart]

I'm interested or if no interest what about a lake gathering somewhere else with clear water? I have never boated by you or in Sebring area.

Actually Lake O is pretty clear when you get away from the coast. :thumbs

We have more interest from Smokediver, Mark (Naples), and Budmann. That is 3 or 4 boats so far.

Steve (Fegettes) can't make it.

Buizzilla, Madpoodle???

[BUIZILLA]

what the hell are we going to do in Clewiston for 2 nights? :confused:

[OneSubDrvr]

what the hell are we going to do in Clewiston for 2 nights? :confused:

Cow Tipping(?) lol

Wayne

ps I'd likely be in if I could sponge a ride ;)

[Tidbart]

This isn't about Clewiston. This about boating, with friends, and the comradery that exist between Donzi owners. Can't you feel the love? :grin:


Thought was to run to RMs on Friday, eat, drink, be merry. Saturday have a run across, around, about the lake, (weather dependent) to somewhere undetermined at this time. Saturday eve have a party at the tiki bar. Actually, they do have a nice restaurant and bar there. Last time I was there, the food was excellent.

This is trip that doesn't require a lot of things. Some of those being, thought and money. It is nice run, not too long, decent place to stay with plenty of dock space, decent price, fuel, and fresh water. Is it the Hyatt in Sarasota, no, but is something to do.

It is what it is. Nothing too exciting, but something to do.

B

[OneSubDrvr]

Would love to be part of it

Wayne

[Tidbart]

No problem, Wayne.

[biggiefl]

I have nooooo problem just kicking back with a cooler at the dock and watching the sunset with a couple of friends. I have a friend who lives there and could recommend a lunch stop or a happy hour or both joint. No offense to anyone but I can and do stay at nice hotels in nice places. Seeing every part of Florida is one of my goals and this is as close to running the entire ditch as I want to go so I can cross it off the list. Sure we can spend $250/nt at the Sarasota Hyatt but I think this kinda stuff is more fun. I would like to ad that I think we need to move on after this run to another spot. okee aint that great that I want to visit it every year.

[Tidbart]

All,


We are doing this trip, one way or another. :biggrin.:

I have blocked off some rooms (5) at Roland Martin's for October 18-20th. More available, if needed.
Rooms are $78 or $88 plus 8/nt for the slip for the small boats, I forgot what sizes. I think up to 25'? A little more for a larger one. Call 1-800-473-6766, tell them you want one of the blocked rooms, Donzi Group, Bob Wilson.

Book a room now. It costs nothing to reserve your room. They are filling up fast. There is some reunion booked there this weekend, but they are not boaters, so there is plenty of dock space.

You have the option of room types, regular or efficiency.

There is a band playing that weekend at the Tiki Bar. :party::lobster::pizza:


You also have other options of coming on Friday, with me and others or you can do 1 night and come on Saturday. (hint, Nick). :yes:

I have some names of people who plan on attending:

John, Smokediver
Mark, Naplesdonzi
Me, Tidbart
Budmann and Denese
OneSubDrvr, Wayne
VetteLt and his brother Eddie

Buiz, Jim ...?????
BiggieFL, Nick,....????

Any others>?????

Will have more details later. Bob

[BUIZILLA]

Janice and I had lunch and drinks here last Saturday...

pretty darn good food, and the MonkeyRita will kick your a$$, you get to keep the coconut shell too..

a group of really cool airboats stopped in for lunch, one had an LS engine with aluminum radiator and reduction gerabox and variable pitch prop, ran over 100 he said and I do NOT doubt it... another had a 454 with EFI... these frog hunters have some neat ****

checked out the rim canal, levee, and both boat ramps, and all the docks...

we've decided not to do this trip, so enjoy the egrets, alligators, frogs, lilly pads, catfish, airboats galore... and fresh water !!

[thriller]

only the in the South:)
Sounds like a Hoot!

[Budmann]

Denise and I have made resos and look forward to the gators,lilys,and our Donzi friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BUIZILLA]

I *may* come up for the day on Saturday.... have to see how the week goes..

[Tidbart]

I have been away all week and have been pretty busy, so I have not been updating the thread. My apologies.

Weather looking great and lunch run I planned for Saturday. Can't wait.

Late-comers are still welcome. B

[Budmann]

Denese and I have decided that we will fix everyone breakfast both Sat. and Sun morning! If we could get a tentive head count then we can stock the eff. and be prepared for a GREAT weekend!

Bud

[Tidbart]

Well, we had a fantastic weekend. Didn't get the boats in on Friday as we got there later in the day.

We launched on Saturday morning at about 10:30. We then made the decision to go to Stuart for lunch. The weather was perfect with a slight wind making for good riding on the open lake. Boat traffic was minimal all the way to Stuart. This also made the locks very easy.

We went to a place called Sailor's Return on advice of one of the lock masters. This made a little more sense since the trip all the way to Pirate's Cove would have added quite a few more miles and time to our trip. We had to make sure we made it back to the locks on time as we did not want to stuck.:doh:

This proved to be no issue as we cruised about 45 mph on the way back. We had the waterway to ourselves and it was just a beautiful day. Once going through the Port Mayaca lock back onto Lake O, we saw a flat lake. The slight wind from earlier in the day had disappeared. The lake crossing was absolutely gorgeous. In the distant east sky you could see rays of sunshine showing through some clouds and smoke as the sun got lower in the sky. The smoke was from the burning of the cane fields around the lake. As we got closer to Clewiston we ran into a rain shower. It was just enough to soak us before we got to the ramp.

What a great run. We ran about 120 miles round trip. Sorry more could not attend. We ended up with just 2 boats, mine and Budmann's. Smokediver had a personal issue come up and could not attend. We were joined by Jim (Buiz), who drove up from Miami to join us for the run. Glad you could make it, Jim.

I will post a few photos in the next day or two, as soon as I get some time.

Bob

[Tidbart]

Some photos..............Run over in the am, lunch (Denese, Jim, Me, Heloisa, Bud), the run back, and evening cocktails. Enjoy.
Bob