Saturday turned out to be a beautiful evening for a rafting party on the Navesink. We anchored near the Middletown shore and were joined by three other sailboats with as many chase boats. All on our one anchor!
After passing around appetizers and beverages, Gary began the official ceremony for the naming of our boat. Well, it was actually a renaming ceremony even though the boat was bought new. Champagne was opened and libations were offered to the gods of the seas. Champagne was poured into the water to the North, South, East and West (not too much mind you). We then toasted the official naming of the beneteau: Calusa. BTW, the name comes from the Indian tribe that settled in the Florida Keys. It is also the name of the first dolphin Brooke and I greeted and petted at the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon Key. It was the kids' first trip to the Keys and the name will always bring back great memories.
We enjoyed a pretty sunset and one by one, we headed back to the club. By the time Gary pulled the anchor, it was dark with some moonlight. As he was putting the anchor away, I motored the boat across the river. I pointed toward the hospital, while trying to spot a channel marker. None of them were lighted and boy, it can get a little dicey when the tide is getting low (kept looking at that depth gauge get lower).
Another rafting party will definitely be in the works for July or August (or maybe both). You don't need a cruising boat to come!
