Gods Country / There and Back Again

Traverse City

Made a trip back across the pond to good old home town, gods country as we know it. Have not yet been somewhere as beautiful as TC,  but am still looking. 

All the cousins

Lockwoods from all over the world descended on TC to give Dad his farewell sail. We did it in style and with lots of events. Starting with a BBQ at Heathers to organize the week, thank you to Linda and Heather for putting all the logistics together. 

EVMT Regatta Racers on the Lockwood Dock

 
Then there was the EVMT Regatta. Enjoy the View of My Transom Regatta. All the cousins, aunts, uncles and siblings got out on the water in 420's and we played by Lockwood rules, if you did not like them you ignored them. Had on the water judging most did not listen to. Had 7 races and the guy with the least infractions lost and guy with the most infractions won. Now that has to be a life lesson. I will let you guess who the winner was. 

Had a lovely dinner at Cordia, Moms new digs over 23 relatives from all over. 

Dinner with all the family.

The memorial service started with a day on the water and taking Dad sailing.

Taking Dad out for his last sail.

We sailed north to R8 and popped the kite, the wind was from the north with merely cat paws filling the sail.  A few ashes were sprinkled and then the wind died.  No time like the present for a swim when there is no wind, so there were a few man over board drills. The bay was delightful. The brezze slowly filled in from the south west, we put the genoa up and headed for the yacht club.

As we approached GTYC the breeze built and the Coal Pile Express came in right on schedule. It lifted us up as Dad always did and gave us the perfect ending to Dads last race to the finish.

Had a beautiful service at GTYC .

The grandkids, kids and fellow racers told wonderful Ned stories. 

The cannon went off and the flag was raised.

The day finished with another beautiful sunset over the bay.

Ned was laid to rest, but the Ned stories will continue just as his memory will come to mind every time you pick up a tiller. 

The remainder of the ashes will be buried at the family site on Long Island and there will be another EVMT Regatta, Lockwood style no rules!