Arkansas Messabout
Folks,
It is almost upon us! The first weekend of Fall is the Arkansas
Messabout, at Russellville, AR. -- September 22-23. Only a few
weeks away. There should be a wide variety of home-built craft
here.
I can almost promise the weather will be better than last year.
Last year was the "Tale of Two Messabouts". Friday evening was very
windy--my wind speed indicator was showing 16-20 mph when I was out
sailing in my June Bug. Saturday morning gave us a massive line of
thunderstorms, straight line winds peaking over 60 mph and tornadoes
in the county. Most folks went home mid-day Saturday with wet
bedding, clothing and dampened spirits. Saturday afternoon however,
showed those who slept in Saturday morning (sic!) some beautiful
sailing in the afternoon. We grilled some chicken outdoors and then
sailed again at sunset against a beautiful orange sunset winds at 6
to 9 mph. Sunday morning the wind was gentle 2-5 mph and mostly
sunny. Taking the law of averages, this year will be better!
If you can only come one day, Saturday is the day. If you can,
bring something for the potluck at the pavilion on Saturday late
afternoon. I will be grilling some chicken.
Here are some driving directions for once you get in the area.
Coming from I-40 or coming from the north on State Hwy 7:
Take Exit 81 (Hwy 7 south). One block south of I-40, turn right
(west) at traffic light onto Lake Front Drive. Contine on Lake
Front Drive ~1.5 miles through the Hwy 64 intersection, which then
becomes West Main Street (turns to the southeast). Continue on
bridge over railroad tracks, and immediately turn right (west again)
onto Marina Rd (Hwy 326). Continue on Hwy 326 ~3 miles to
Dardanelle State Park entrance.
From the south on State Hwy 7:
Drive into downtown Russellville and turn left (west) onto West Main
Street. Continue ~4 miles and turn left onto Marina Rd (Hwy 326).
Continue on Hwy 326 ~3 miles to Dardanelle State Park entrance.
Avoid Exit 78 off I-40 due to periodic heavy traffic to nuclear
plant. Continue to Exit 81.
Link to park:
http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/images/pdfs/pibs/L-DARDAN-03.pdf
Camping sites have electricity. The safe places to overnight a boat
pulled up on shore is in the south end of the cove near the boat
dock & marina (hard bottom, occasional rock, no rip rap), or on the
sandy beach near the pavilion. The lake shore is a perfect (and
legal) spot to spend the night sleeping in your boat.
Hope to see you,
Phil Lea
It is almost upon us! The first weekend of Fall is the Arkansas
Messabout, at Russellville, AR. -- September 22-23. Only a few
weeks away. There should be a wide variety of home-built craft
here.
I can almost promise the weather will be better than last year.
Last year was the "Tale of Two Messabouts". Friday evening was very
windy--my wind speed indicator was showing 16-20 mph when I was out
sailing in my June Bug. Saturday morning gave us a massive line of
thunderstorms, straight line winds peaking over 60 mph and tornadoes
in the county. Most folks went home mid-day Saturday with wet
bedding, clothing and dampened spirits. Saturday afternoon however,
showed those who slept in Saturday morning (sic!) some beautiful
sailing in the afternoon. We grilled some chicken outdoors and then
sailed again at sunset against a beautiful orange sunset winds at 6
to 9 mph. Sunday morning the wind was gentle 2-5 mph and mostly
sunny. Taking the law of averages, this year will be better!
If you can only come one day, Saturday is the day. If you can,
bring something for the potluck at the pavilion on Saturday late
afternoon. I will be grilling some chicken.
Here are some driving directions for once you get in the area.
Coming from I-40 or coming from the north on State Hwy 7:
Take Exit 81 (Hwy 7 south). One block south of I-40, turn right
(west) at traffic light onto Lake Front Drive. Contine on Lake
Front Drive ~1.5 miles through the Hwy 64 intersection, which then
becomes West Main Street (turns to the southeast). Continue on
bridge over railroad tracks, and immediately turn right (west again)
onto Marina Rd (Hwy 326). Continue on Hwy 326 ~3 miles to
Dardanelle State Park entrance.
From the south on State Hwy 7:
Drive into downtown Russellville and turn left (west) onto West Main
Street. Continue ~4 miles and turn left onto Marina Rd (Hwy 326).
Continue on Hwy 326 ~3 miles to Dardanelle State Park entrance.
Avoid Exit 78 off I-40 due to periodic heavy traffic to nuclear
plant. Continue to Exit 81.
Link to park:
http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/images/pdfs/pibs/L-DARDAN-03.pdf
Camping sites have electricity. The safe places to overnight a boat
pulled up on shore is in the south end of the cove near the boat
dock & marina (hard bottom, occasional rock, no rip rap), or on the
sandy beach near the pavilion. The lake shore is a perfect (and
legal) spot to spend the night sleeping in your boat.
Hope to see you,
Phil Lea