Felicia Bamer writes about the Glow

Felicia Bamer sent this great email to her fellow Carlyle sailors and graciously gave me permission to post it here:

"I brought alive the old Fleet 83 tradition -- Sunday Morning Breakfast -- Scrambled Eggs with cheddar, mushrooms, and tomatoes; Sausage and Bacon ! Of course, coffee, hot tea, OJ, Yogurt, Bread, Bagels and Cream Cheese were served also!
Pam LaMontgane and I represented the CSA crowd at the Glow. Same 'ole lake with gusty, shifty, panic winds! Same wonderful campfire; great food; and this year "Glow Sticks"! And, their lake is down 2+ fleet so nearly all of us used the long motorboat ramp. All ramps at Decatur are closed.
We missed trophies by ONE! Sixth Place!
The winds Saturday were out of the SSE and .... at 15 to 20+ knots.
Race One in the second spin take-down, I somehow wrapped the spin probably 3 times around the jib tighter than a knot. Bouncing downwind to the peninsula muddy shore, we slid in sideways. DNF (Of course a tow and guess what at first did not want to come down -- newly repaired centerboard.)
Race Two winds were heavier and gustier. We finished 8th -- one capsize that race. We survived.
Race Three was so windy only the first and second place boats in a WL3 put up their spins. Larry Klick capsized; he spent time under the boat after it turtled later saving sun screen and all kinds of items. We finished 6th.
After Harry, Carrie and Ryan spoke about survival Saturday after the races, we enjoyed a STEAK dinner.
Lots of sore muscles and an early evening for most of us. The Wisconsin Beer was well consumed Friday night.
At 0605 this morning down came the rain. Probably a 10 minute heavy shower. Then at 0700 it poured for almost an hour and blew and poured some more.
So, out for Race 4. Shifty, of course. Prediction was about 7 mph as it wandered through 6 to 12 knots. We finished 8th -- should have been 5th. Still being auto-tacked. I dropped the spin on the offset mark while trying to raise it.
Race 5. WL3 -- Why are all these boats starting at the PIN? Had to get left! We finally got there. And, spent most of the race just behind the top 4.
Harry and Carrie Carpenter -- First
Ben Williams and Deb Aronson -- Second (Great to see Claire crewing and Doug being the photographer) (editor's note: Claire and Doug are Ben and Deb's kids)
Frank and Marianne Gerry -- Third
Sail Fast!  Sail Safe!  Sail for Fun!
Felicia"