Lake LBJ Spring 2015 Wet Meet
Click here to see the photo gallery of this meet.
By Tom Oncken
As most of you are aware, the weather in the State of Texas has been totally unpredictable since the beginning of this year. Where we have had serious droughts statewide over the past several years, this year we are receiving record rainfall totals. As a result, weather has been playing havoc with our outboard motor fun as the weatherman continues to hit and miss with his predictions of rain. This was the case again for our annual “wet” meet held from April 17th through 19th on beautiful Lake LBJ in Kingsland, Texas.
We managed to have a great time as we played with our toys between a few rain showers. Those in attendance included the following: Adam and Susan Finn; Chip and Marilyn Rathbun; John and Cindy Slator; Al and Katie Smith, along with daughters Addison and Abigail. Al’s brother James and sister Sarah; Joe McCauley, Cornelia Kuffner and Finn; Carlton Callahan and Pat; Meatball Murray and Carolyn; Louis Rothermel; Peter Schultz; Tom Oncken; Darrell Beaulier; John Plato; Alan Bischoff; Dennis and Sharon Schmidt; Sarah; and Richard Kairis.
Louis Rothermel invited me to come along with him on Friday. When we left, the weatherman said it was “mostly cloudy” at Hobby Airport, but the sun was actually shining brightly. As we made the trip across I-10 to US 71, clouds began to accumulate and it actually began sprinkling by the time we stopped in Spicewood to visit our favorite barbecue restaurant, Opie’s. After a number of trips to the butter bean pot and a rack of pork ribs, we were off again to Kingsland. Upon arrival, we noticed that the rain had stopped again and we visited with those who had played on the lake earlier in the day. Several members took off that evening to hit the usual Mexican food restaurant for the evening meal.
Saturday morning was a little brisk, but more or less dry. Members started putting in boats and running all over the lake.
Darrell Beaulier had his Carlson boat powered by its powerful Evinrude Super Strangler out on the water looking for a challenger.
Dennis Schmidt launched his Cyclone hydroplane powered by its Evinrude 45ss outboard. They were joined by Joe McCauley and Finn with the May Fly III powered by its Johnson Stinger.
Adam Finn was giving tours in his nicely painted Rexcraft aluminum boat with its Johnson 35HP.
Although it has been a while, Louis Rothermel brought his Stauter boat powered by its 1943 Evinrude Storm Boat Motor. It was nice to see that old Evinrude out there again.
Meatball ran his Yellow Jacket wooden runabout powered by a Merc 850 and it looked great zipping along the lake. Peter Schultz came prepared this year as he ran several different outboards on his Aluma Craft boat.
Last but never least, Chip Rathbun had his Corson boat powered by his “Four-Fifty” Johnson 50HP running all over the lake. Its finish was a little unusual as he had to drive on an oiled road on the way to the meet and the dirty oil stuck all over those bright white sides. Hopefully, a little washing detergent took off the oil when Chip got home.
The Longhorn Resort has built a large new covered pavilion with concrete floor where we setup for the evening steak dinner. The weather finally took its turn as it rained hard while Meatball was cooking the steaks. Wind started out of one direction and then reversed from the other. For the most part, we all moved into several of the hotel rooms so our food would not blow away. We wish to offer our usual sincere “thanks” to Meatball for preparing the steaks to perfection. Also, we thank the wonderful ladies (Susan Finn, Cindy Slator, Sharon Schmidt & Cornelia Kuffner) who prepared baked potatoes and salad for the dinner and offer a special thanks to Cindy Slator for the great dessert. Although the weather on Sunday morning was good, most members had hauled out their boats before Saturday evening. Checkout was at 11:00AM and most members were on their way home by then. Fortunately, the weatherman was wrong most of the time and we were able to have a lot of fun on the water during the weekend. Great fun, great food, and great friends; what more can you ask for?
