Porkin' with the Pfeifers

Pizza and beer on the patio

Kevin & Pam had fixed us up with a really wonderful slip right next to the Gravel Bar Yacht Club. We had use of the yacht club facilities, dual 30-amp electric, water and free use of a loaner car and all at a really reasonable price. We had pushed through Lake Erie to make it here by July 9, because a big party was being planned and we apparently were the guests of honor. One way or another we were going to be in attendance. After we got settled in the Vogels picked us up and took us to dinner at a fine nearby restaurant. Capt. Larry's nephew, Brian Duress,came up from Columbus late that evening and we sat in the boat's cockpit and drank beer and got caught up until 0100. We spent the next day cleaning the boat and doing boat chores to get ready to have friends and relatives come aboard. This was a major cleaning similar to when we took off in February. Brian's wife and daughter, Janelle and Edra, joined us for a Friday evening of pizza and beer. We also met Vogel friends Nick & Mary Russo who joined us for the evening. It was so great to be with everyone again and what a wonderful time we had!

Getting the pig on the spit

Celebrating the pig in the cooker

Jane spritzing the pig

Hey Kevin, where's your spritzer!

Cutting the pig

Edra watches the band set up

The band- Brian & the Skinheads

Powdering the cannon

Kaboooom! We're under attack!

Capt. Larry and sister Deb

The next morning we got up early to witness the preparation of the pig for the whole hog roast. Nick Russo had the lead in this operation and it started with putting the pig on the spit at 0730. When everything seemed to be in order, the first beers were consumed around 0800. It was going to be a long day! The pig was roasted and spritzed with beer and wine to keep the meat moist all day long. While the pig was roasting everyone enjoyed bean bag toss games and lots of keg beer. Capt. Larry stole away around 1000 to take a nap so he could pace himself, but the pig kept cooking. Around mid-afternoon people started to show up. This was also the time the pig was just about done. The pig was taken out of the cooker and everyone started to cut it up. It seemed that at least half of the meat that was cut was sampled by the cutters and Capt. Larry was in the thick of this. By 1700 the party was in full swing and there was enough food to feed an army! At 1900 we had to tap the second keg of beer! Brian had put together a three piece band and he and the other two members started playing when the feasting was over. They were really good and everyone enjoyed the music and dancing. Kevin had arranged to have an old civil war cannon delivered to the yacht club. He powdered and wadded the cannon and set it off 3 or 4 times during the course of the evening. Imagine the reaction of boaters on the lake when this was fired in their general direction. We're not really sure what the local ordinances call for in Ohio, but no one hasseled us about the cannon or the loud music. Close to midnight the party started to come to a close. Capt. Larry's sister, Deb, and grandson, Caleb, stayed overnight aboard Bavarian Cream. The next morning we had a big pancake breakfast and Capt. Larry taught Caleb all about the boat. It was a really great time and one we won't forget!

A pair of baby racoons in the Vogel back yard