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by Bill Edmundson, Glen-L Tahoe builder and Gathering Founder/organizer

Photo courtesy of Michael Maddox

G-11 was great! We lost a few people this year to having to do restoration work after the hurricanes, RV breakdown in Texas, and silly things like a wedding in the family. But, we still had around 50 people. I didn’t get a count on boats, probably about 20.

Neel Thompson and Craig Flemming came in on Monday. More showed up through the week. Many of us came on Thursday. Thursday is mostly unload, set-up, and launch boats. Thursday night, Neel and Craig put on a spaghetti dinner at their cabin. This is a great time to renew friendships and make new ones.

Hales Bar has been doing lots of work and upgrades. Lots of this is because of our group. Their booking has started going up because of it. The staff looks forward to the Gathering and they actually take part. They are a welcome part. This year they have added a barge party deck and have been painting the cabins.

Friday morning waffle and sausage breakfast. About 10:15 to 10:30 we loaded up the boats for a 35 mile river cruise to Chattanooga, for lunch at Big River Grill. This is a really fun part of the Gathering. Friday night we had Italian Sausage in a Red Cream Sauce w/Penne Pasta and left over Spaghetti. Guitars on the dock, and Karaoke at Keith McLean’s cabin. 

Saturday morning waffle and sausage breakfast. Lots of boat rides for anyone that was interested. Lots on boat building talk. Bob Maskel and Vicky put on shredded beef sandwiches for lunch (Very Good). About 1:30 the boats loaded up for a great run to the dam together to take pictures. That night we had Crawfish Etoufee and Chicken and Dumplings. And, more music… and Mead.

After we ate we did a few awards. For those who don’t know, these are not Best Of Awards, They are for fun!

Gathering 11 Awards

Glad You’re Still Here, Chris Atwood, Cancer Survivor

Unsung Hero, Paula Barto, Always Positive and Willing to Help (We made Skip Hokin sing to her because in 2011 he told her she couldn’t sing.)

Lonnnng Distance Traveler, Skip Hokin, Australia

Skip’s Award for Karaoke, Craig Flemming, You Should Not Be Singing

Spookiest Award, For Tony and the Hales Bar Ghost

The Gathering Graphic Artist Award, Mike Maddox

Most Colorful Attendee, Ziggy McLean, Keith’s Parrot

Disappointed, But Still Trying, John Amundsen, He survived the hurricane and came anyway. Then could not get his boat to run right.

Sunday morning waffles and sausage. Most people are packed up and gone by 9:00, lots of long distance travelers.

Here are some photos from this year’s Gathering:

Courtesy of Michael Maddox: https://michaelsmaddox.wordpress.com/?s=G11

Photos and video courtesy of Chris Atwood: https://photos.app.goo.gl/yBUxHjJxEdRP6ap23

Below are a couple of videos/slideshows also–for more photos, please see our Forum.