New Zealand Boat Show Last Week, Lake Dora Show In 9 Days, Hessel Boat Show 154 Days!
Today Woody Boater Hessel Bureau Chief Alex Watson was having a rough day, one of those days that we all experience as we patiently wait for the classic boating season to finally get started… Unfortunately for Alex, the classic boating season up in Hessel, Michigan is one of the last to get started.
And today as Alex was reading about the New Zealand Boat Show last week, and the Lake Dora Boat Show next week, the thought of waiting another 154 days for the Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show in Hessel was difficult for him. Then as Alex drove through Hessel and noticed the boat show sign along the road in the snow, well it got worse.
So he thought it would help if he stopped by Tommy’s Mertaugh’s boat shop to visit the crew at Classic & Antique Boats… He even bought a few hats thinking it would help – but no luck…
So then he went over to his cabin to see how the construction of his new crib docks were coming along thinking that would help brighten his day – Nope, that just made him think more about the summer boating season months from now…
Then he had an idea… He thought he would stop down to the local Post Office and visit with the folks, talk about spring and the upcoming classic boating season… Only problem – there was nobody at the Post Office to visit with…
Hessel Image Courtesy - Valerie Photo
Then he thought about taking a drive over the Mackinac Bridge, and he saw a guy in a cruiser passing under the bridge in the open water… That just made him mad, made him want to jump off the bridge… but it’s against the law to stop on the bridge…
Mac Bridge Courtesy - Ketch22106
So at the end of the day, the only thing left to do was to stop by “old faithful” – The Islander Bar & Grill in Hessel for a cold beer – or two.
Don’t let it get you down buddy, tomorrow it will only be 153 days until the boat show… It will be there before you know it… Really! (Poor Guy)
Texx
On the NY news last night they showed a boathouse in MI that was being crushed by wind driven ice slabs. Of course they didn’t mention where in MI this was and all I could think was I hope there’s not a woody being crushed in there also. Spring is coming early this year Alex, hang on. 70 tomorrow here. Unbelievable!!
Maybe it’s just me. But you seem to revel in my pain. Tell me, did you burn bugs with a magnifying glass as a child? Is 24/7 woody boater Mayer putting you up to this, or does it come to you naturally?
Heaven is apparently worth the trials and tribulations of the physical esistance. So, too, is woody boating in Hessel worth weathering (literally) the off season.
…Make that the off seasons.
Sorry Alex, not trying to make you feel bad I’m just giddy because by all rights there should be snow drifts outside my windows not daffodils. It’s been a very strange winter here. NEVER have we had a no snow winter. Maybe there is something to this global warming talk, but please don’t try to correct it.
BTW, the docks in the pic here aren’t mine. Mine measure 80′. The ones in the pic here are long enough to REACH New Zealand.
Ha – I was going to get Mayer to chime in and comment, but I think he’s out on the lake in his mightly Arabian going for one of those sunset boat rides with a cold beverage.
Oops – Did that make it worse?
Did you also kick puppies and swing cats by the tails? Trip little old ladies? Knock the canes out from under the blind and distract their dogs with Beggin’ Strips?
Alex – If it makes you feel any better, a nice fellow named Craig commented today on the Classic Fiberglass Shootout story, and he admires Chris-Craft XK’s… Here’s the link.
http://woodyboater.com/communityweb/classic-fiberglass-shootout-two-big-guns-from-the-70s-century-arabian-vs-chris-craft-xk-19/
Alex, I DON’T feel your pain. The Mighty Arabian (award winning, I might add) is still in the water, waiting patiently for me at the dock. In fact, I almost took it into town last Friday night for happy hour. Shoot…this isn’t helping, is it?
Whenever I hear someone say “shoot” it reminds me of the shoot out. Man that was fun! Giddy up!!
MikeM, a.k.a. Mayer (correctly pronounced through gritted teeth, just like Jerry Seinfeld says “Newman!”). Just remember.
Thriller was also award winning.
the lack of snow this year isnt doing lake huron any good, waters really low
It’ll go up as soon as Alex launches the fleet.
pppssssttt. Alex. Hey Alex. We had snow here today in Lake Oswego, so I don’t think that Mike did much boating today. In fact, I drove by his boat today and there was still a bit of snow on it.
Fellas, can’t we all just get along? When gas gets to $7.00 a gallon we may need each other to boat pool.
Alex, it’s not too late to get a flight down here to Tavares . . . you can sign on as cabin boy for ARRRGH!
Well look at the post office photo, and you sill see beautiful fresh blooming flowers, that is really what it is like in Hessel MI these days!! (Don’t I wish)… Warmer by 30 degrees than normal the past week or so, don’t count out March yet for a burn in the XK for Alex….
alex,
the little voices in my head are telling me to tell you to just say the hell with it and pack a bag…you need to tavares time for sure, my friend…