22 September 2009
Patti and I recently returned from a
pre-deployment planning trip to Key West. If you have never been to Sigsbee in August, it’s quite pleasant, and
the campground is wide open. There were a grand total of fifteen rigs in the main camping area with an average of five
open spots for full hookups each day. It was spooky looking!
We’re all set for the Truman Annex, arriving Monday 1 February and
departing Monday 8 February. The fundamentals remain the same, with check-in at Sigsbee Monday morning (the office remains
closed on weekends). As usual, I expect the majority of rigs to arrive at Sigsbee early. For those members who
do not have retired ID cards, we can get you aboard for the Truman Annex days, but unfortunately not at Sigsbee that time
of year.
We plan to hold another low intensity come around since most attendees will
likely be habitual offenders and they’ve already ridden all the rides. We have a couple of irons in the fire for
new and different things to see and do, but they are long shots. A cruise ship tour/lunch is possible, but the Swine
Flu issue has all tours on hold and they will likely still be suspended. We’re still looking for a “chamber
of commerce” tour of JIATF South (behind the triple concertina) and I’m working on CO NASKW intervention on our
behalf.
MWR has promised an electric hookup to the canopy, so we should have lights,
allowing us to have happy hour and dinner a little later than in the past. We will have a large portable barbeque at
the tent and we plan for more evening meals around the coals in one fashion or another.
We have plans for a “wind break” parking arrangement if the weather
forecast is similar to last year’s blast.
As you know there are lots of commercial tour/recreation opportunities and
we will facilitate for groups who would like to partake. For example, high rollers might enjoy a catamaran tour to Fort
Jefferson. Golf outings, fishing boat rentals from MWR, kayaks, etc., are all up for grabs.
We’re planning a wine tasting night, a movie night or two (classic
old Navy films), doggie activities (if you don’t own a dog, you’re not invited to Key West) and, of course, a
lobster night. Super Bowl Sunday is our last day.
I need an estimate of how many attendees we will have this year. Please
reply directly to me, and I will post projected rosters as we go along.
If you’ve never been to a Key West come around, you owe it to yourself
to fire up the Airstream, buy a dog, and join the fun. See you there!
Jay Williams ‘67
