Pomp and ceremony at the Vero Beach Yacht Club.

It’s Monday morning with a bit of wind and rain, brief and intense, thrown in for good measure.   Today’s going to be a day of chores as we explore the Vero Shuttle System to do some errands.  We also need, need, to do some laundry.  I’d be happy to do the laundry and let Brenda focus on her weaving however, I am not “authorized” do handle such things as it seems I lack the ability to discern the difference between a shop towel and fine linens.  Ok, ok, perhaps I do not appreciate the subtle differences in the world of textiles but to ban me from the laundry?  Doesn’t it seem a bit harsh to you?  Common, support me on this.  I am a domestic guy and just want to help.

Well, this isn’t a “self help” column so I guess I’ll just accept my lot.

Anyway, there is much more to Vero Beach than laundry so I’ll focus on other things for now.

As members of the Essex Yacht Club Brenda and I enjoy  visiting other clubs in our travels with the hope that they will offer reciprocity and allow us to use their facilities and meet some of their members.   With this in mind, I contacted the Vero Beach Yacht Club the other day with the hope of visiting for brunch on Sunday with our friends Chuck and Sandy.   Unfortunately, I left my blue blazer at home so I kept my fingers crossed that we would still be welcome to visit, “dress down” or not.

As luck would have it, the club is very friendly and welcomed us in spite of my “wardrobe challenges”.  And, as an added bonus, it turned out that yesterday included a very formal “passing the flag” from the outgoing to the incoming Commodore, so the club was a-buzz with activity.

I introduced myself and met a number of officers and board members and I have to say that we really felt welcomed.  They even agreed to send me some of their “official” photos from the event as I mentioned that I’d like to write a short piece for the Essex Yacht Club newsletter about our visit.  Not to rub it in, but as we are enjoying the warmth of VBYC, the folks in Essex are getting ready for yet another snow and ice storm.

As with many yacht clubs, the VBYC takes their traditions, including a great buffet, very seriously.    There was cannon firing, the blessing of the fleet and a parade of member boats by the dock with each receiving their own “canon salute”.    Lots of noise and fun.

The officers paraded up the dock, looking very smart indeed.Don’t they look dapper all lined up just so?And, to cap off things they even had a bagpiper in his formal dress to make for a perfect experience.I promised that I would send a EYC burgee to hang in their burgee room.   Speaking of the burgee room, they have a “happy hour”, actually a “happy two hour”, on Wednesday so I think that we’ll have to visit again before we head further south later in the week. 

How about a “visiting yachtsman” portrait of me and Brenda.  Not sure what the “compact” sign means? Are they making a statement about those of us that are “vertically challenged”?  My mother always told me that I was big.  Besides, I am taller than Brenda, well a little taller.  Hmm…Anyway, perhaps I should close with some lovely shots from yesterday morning of the early light.  What a great spot, Vero Beach.  No wonder they call it “Velcro Beach”, yes it will indeed be tough to leave such a great spot.  I guess that Vero is our newest favorite place to visit. 

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