Most here do not know John Lund. We first met in 2001 at the Everett Marina where we kept our first boat on E dock and John was a live-aboard on the same dock a few slips away. One day, as I was walking the dock looking for rigging ideas from other boats, I came upon a nicely tricked out Freedom 32 cat sloop with all kinds of bells and whistles. John was on deck so I introduced myself to this retired NOAA mechanical engineer and his cat Rambo. We had a long conversation about his boat and setup answering many newbie questions. He then invited me to join him and some other skippers for their Wednesday skipper's night at a local pub. While there we formed our small cruising flotilla that I named AMEE and made plans for our first cruise together to Desolation Sound.
Colin Banks (Wassail, Pacific Seacraft 34), John Lund (Friehet II, Freedom 32) and our boat (Belle-Vie, Hunter 42) set out on our first extended cruise together in 2004 that you can watch on my YouTube Channel (Terry Cox 7463). Bob Barker (Mariposa, Cal 27) was unable to join us that year, but did so on several later cruises. We had many great times together sailing all over Pacific Northwest waters. Once our anchors dropped it was skipper's night where it would begin on one of our boats with poo poos, or what others might call whore-de-vors; usually, crab, oysters or some caught fish. After a fine meal, discussion would ensue well into the wee hours with ample beer, wine or whatever. Our most difficult decision was whether we would stay another day or which next anchorage a few miles away. AMEE flotilla was never in a hurry to get anywhere.
Several mishaps occurred over the years, but none were serious. Mostly dragging anchors, retrieving a wayward dinghy, stuck anchor or losing my most favorite Whidbey Island hat that Patti bought me in Coupeville. Belle-Vie remains the only active flotilla member. Colin aged out of his boat with regrets. Bob seldom leaves the Everett marina as he approaches 90. John's daughter sold his boat when she moved him into a memory care facility a few years ago. When his family finally allowed visitors, Patti and I drove to Bremerton last March to spend a bit of time with him. His condition prevented him from recognizing either of us, but I did take a photo of us together. We will miss him, but remember all the good times we had together. Rest in peace John.
Colin Banks (Wassail, Pacific Seacraft 34), John Lund (Friehet II, Freedom 32) and our boat (Belle-Vie, Hunter 42) set out on our first extended cruise together in 2004 that you can watch on my YouTube Channel (Terry Cox 7463). Bob Barker (Mariposa, Cal 27) was unable to join us that year, but did so on several later cruises. We had many great times together sailing all over Pacific Northwest waters. Once our anchors dropped it was skipper's night where it would begin on one of our boats with poo poos, or what others might call whore-de-vors; usually, crab, oysters or some caught fish. After a fine meal, discussion would ensue well into the wee hours with ample beer, wine or whatever. Our most difficult decision was whether we would stay another day or which next anchorage a few miles away. AMEE flotilla was never in a hurry to get anywhere.
Several mishaps occurred over the years, but none were serious. Mostly dragging anchors, retrieving a wayward dinghy, stuck anchor or losing my most favorite Whidbey Island hat that Patti bought me in Coupeville. Belle-Vie remains the only active flotilla member. Colin aged out of his boat with regrets. Bob seldom leaves the Everett marina as he approaches 90. John's daughter sold his boat when she moved him into a memory care facility a few years ago. When his family finally allowed visitors, Patti and I drove to Bremerton last March to spend a bit of time with him. His condition prevented him from recognizing either of us, but I did take a photo of us together. We will miss him, but remember all the good times we had together. Rest in peace John.