2016 Annual Tie Up August 20, 2016 Eagle Mountain Lake Party Cove
More pictures to look at are at this link:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/k4zf3735kywlfzm/AAAcVwMP0D1tLJ4DQ-1HzP3aa?dl=0
Videos of the 2016 Annual Tie Up:
Paul Ruhl captaining his pontoon boat into action.
The annual tie up @ Party Cove did happen in spite of rain threats. I know most of lake peeps were scared off by the threats of rain especially experiencing the down pours on Friday afternoon and going into Saturday morning. I myself, crew, and other dock mates had made up our minds well in advance that we were going
As long as we didn't have forecasting of 35 to 65 mph winds like we had 2 years ago.
The weather couldn't have been more perfect for this tie up. Not one drop of rain the whole day or thunder or lightning. As we travelled up to Party Cove we ran past a contingent of 3 sailboats that were supposed to be participating in the Fort Worth Boat Club's Poker Run but it looks like they were calling it off due to the bogus bad weather forecast or lack of wind. It was totally calm as we set out on this journey. We arrived their late at Party Cove a little past 12:00 PM to find that we were the first ones there. Wow! That was a first! We found one pontoon boat in the back of the cove and I don't think they were there for the upcoming excitement. The first thing I noticed were the addition of more mooring balls. The most I've ever seen. Plenty for everyone to use and not have to drop an anchor. As I looked to the side of me Larry Love & John Unsworth showed up and then literally out of nowhere people started showing up.
The temperature at this time was a pleasant 77 degrees. I can't remember a annual tie up in the past where the temperature was even in the 80's with the exception of the ones with major storms. Today was not going to be a day of stroke, LOL. I shot this picture after we tied up next to Larry Love and posted it up on Facebook
I know the clouds in the background don't look good and it looks like it's fixing to rain cats & dogs but that was not the case. As I was looking on the Party Cove Facebook sites I had a few people request a postponement due to the weather conditions and also wondering if this annual event was going to happen. I answered back that it was happening and that their has never been a postponement. In keeping up with tradition this event has always happened on the 3rd Saturday of August come hell or high water. Which we've had some of those times. I wish I had that power to control the lake but I don't, LOL. Then people started texting me vigorously on what's happening out at Party Cove and how many people are out there. I couldn't keep up with it as phone nearly blew up from 100 lake peeps texting me at the same time. I'd have to say that this tie up was a pretty good one. Attendance wise I'd say their were about 75 boats well under the usual 300 that show up. The 75 boats that showed were the most cooperative and drama free I've ever seen at a annual tie up. Their were no incidents of any kind unless it was after 7:00 that's when I left. Even lake patrol didn't start visiting till about 4:30 PM. I guess their wasn't much activity for them to stay for awhile.
At the end of the Tie Up. John & Teri Unsworth sharing the perfect moment.
No towing today for Mr. Tow Boat US.
One last note to bring you on this tie up. This message comes from Arthur Griffin who sent me this. This is exactly word for word on what he sent:
Trey - you do a lot of good for promoting boating and lake activities. However, you promoting taking boats out on a lake when there is threatening weather and a forecast of more than a 50% chance of severe weather is absolutely childish and irresponsible! Yes the weather was nice that afternoon - there were severe storms a few hours before that. It was still raining at 2 pm. I challenge you to publish my observations in your news letter. And I challenge you to exercise responsible journalism. If you can't, don't publish your personal opinions!!! We had a severe weather and dangerous situation, very dangerous, at the tie up two years ago. A CAPTAIN WHO IS SHIPWRECKED TWICE AND BLAMES THE SEA IS A FOOL.
Arthur