A few parting thoughts as we leave the FBYC, Deltaville, and The Taj.
It wasn't meant to be... At the banquet and shortly before the awards ceremony we learned that there were two boats that had been called over early but had subsequently received redress from the judges. As a result, we dropped back to 11th instead of 9th. We'd be lying if we said it didn't put a damper on our evening. I thought about questioning the judges a little bit to at least get the story. I decided that even if I heard the story and completely disagreed with it (probably unlikely), I would not file an appeal anyway, so best to move on.
FBYC: what a great place and a wonderful area for sailing. We stopped by in the morning to get an internet signal and another beautiful breeze was keeping the back porch cool. Alas, no more racing today (but my bottom is thankful, even with the padded shorts several full days of sailing in a row, and I’m ready to sit on some nice cushioned furniture). The regatta was first class all the way, all the volunteeers were great.
Deltaville: waterfront farmland? Interesting. We love the lack of franchising in this place, no metropolis, no Starbucks, just a Market and a few other essentials. Amy noticed that in the checkout line, she saw the usual People, National Enquirer, and Star magazines, but also, the unexpected Sailing Magazine! These people have their priorities in line.
The Taj: there may not be a coffee pot, a fridge, a range hood, or the appropriate water temperature in your shower, but unlimited ice makes up for a lot!! We enjoyed the Dockside Inn quite a bit, just don't lean on the railing. It’s rustic quality may not be everyone’s cup of tea but we'll remember it for a good while. The adjacent yard chock full of abandoned boats adds a little to the feel of the place. We were happy that so many of the guests were Scot sailors, a few more new friends for us.
946 Leaving the Taj, on the road to Deep Creek and the factory!
1038 Stopping for gas before it gets too expensive, $2.78, not bad, of course, 4 miles down the road it was $2.72. Oh, well. Made just under 20 mpg that last tank, short trips to and from the marina, and all.
FBYC: what a great place and a wonderful area for sailing. We stopped by in the morning to get an internet signal and another beautiful breeze was keeping the back porch cool. Alas, no more racing today (but my bottom is thankful, even with the padded shorts several full days of sailing in a row, and I’m ready to sit on some nice cushioned furniture). The regatta was first class all the way, all the volunteeers were great.
Deltaville: waterfront farmland? Interesting. We love the lack of franchising in this place, no metropolis, no Starbucks, just a Market and a few other essentials. Amy noticed that in the checkout line, she saw the usual People, National Enquirer, and Star magazines, but also, the unexpected Sailing Magazine! These people have their priorities in line.
The Taj: there may not be a coffee pot, a fridge, a range hood, or the appropriate water temperature in your shower, but unlimited ice makes up for a lot!! We enjoyed the Dockside Inn quite a bit, just don't lean on the railing. It’s rustic quality may not be everyone’s cup of tea but we'll remember it for a good while. The adjacent yard chock full of abandoned boats adds a little to the feel of the place. We were happy that so many of the guests were Scot sailors, a few more new friends for us.
946 Leaving the Taj, on the road to Deep Creek and the factory!
1038 Stopping for gas before it gets too expensive, $2.78, not bad, of course, 4 miles down the road it was $2.72. Oh, well. Made just under 20 mpg that last tank, short trips to and from the marina, and all.
Shot out the drivers side window, beautiful country
1133 Almost run off the road by a house!! We’re taking mostly 2 lane roads and they are narrow and winding and steep and beautiful. Oncoming traffic, wide load trailer towing a house, stay on your side, buddy!! Hang on Piggy!!
1300 Lisa Hayward calling to check in. Super – cool! Apparently, cell phone coverage is still pretty spotty… we lose connection, but she calls back. Hope Thursday night racing goes well at Davis Island! Breeze on!
1330 Bathroom break. Nicest smelling bathrooms Shell station, Winchester WVA. Coffee –free for me!! Interesting, checkout guy was deep in conversation and told me to
just “go on.” BONUS! It was the cappuccino out of the fancy machine, too! You won't get that at no stinkin Starbucks.Light rain. Ears are popping from the changes in altitude. Lots of churches (there were many in Fishing Bay, also, of all kinds) most with cemeteries on the property, or nearby. Some were kind of pretty when they are on a hillside. We wonder, in some places why the churches are so difficult to drive to, some seem like they would be impossible to reach in the winter.
According to the directions we have, we are instructed to avoid a winding, dangerous route called the Allegheny Front. We wonder if we have made a wrong turn, the road we’re on seems a lot like that. We have seen 5 or 6 hills with the Caution 9% grade warning signs. I am taking some comfort about having installed the transmission cooler before our trip. Some of these hills were some work to climb especially the last one on Route 135 just outside of Deer Park where the factory is located. That one was probably 3 or 4 miles long and we chugged along in 3 rd gear, A/C off at about 45 mph, I think the crest was 3700 feet.
1432 Roadwork and lane closures impede our progress, a little. We see another Scot on the road. He’s from Wisconsin! We’re traveling through small towns with small businesses, the Americana thing, for sure. Everything seems a bit stopped in time. Restaurants and businesses with yellowed, broken signs. They are all of the vintage shapes, too. House styles are dated, as well. All of the towns we’ve been through also have volunteer fire and rescue departments. It’s raining one minute, a valley or crest and 10 minutes later and the sun is out and the sky is mostly clear blue. Bizarre.
1515 On to route 135!! This is the road to Harry’s!! More ear popping! Grade logic system on the Ody is kicking in. Cool. We are anxious to get out and stretch the legs, we grab a beer from the cooler but don’t open it just yet. We decide to have it ready to go so we can celebrate the passing of the “Welcome to Deer Park” sign we KNOW they will have.
Ahhhhhh, that hit the spot.
1535 Finally, the factory! Exactly 6 hours. We hook up with Darlene and Ray our hosts for our visit to Deep Creek and get a tour and see first hand how the Scots are built. We are impressed with the operation and the nearly completed boats almost ready for delivery. Seeing the new ones leads to the inevitable thought of owning one, for only a split second that is. Pig Pen has grown on us over the last 3 years, there is something cool about having an oldie and beating the new ones. We never have found out what year Pig Pen is for sure but 1964 is probably close. Someday, I need to ask Harry to look it up for me.
The Factory up on the hill, home of Flying Scot Inc; http://www.flyingscot.com/ 
From the spar loft, two boats nearly ready for delivery
A hull laid up and still in the mold
Harry and Karen have provided a picnic lunch, we have a little grub and a beer or two. Others from FBYC and beyond continue to trickle in. We must go to Deep Creek Yacht Club to register for the weekend, they are expecting 275 people. We’d like to set up the boat, and get it in the water, it rains. Fortunately, there are kegs tapped and free beer! Good friends, good times, waiting for the rain to stop. Boat’s in, Ray helps out a lot! Jeff, Amy, Allen Turhune, and Ryan Malmgren arrange their living situations for the night, and we all go to a Tex Mex place for dinner, we are all starving, and it was Delish!
Home to Ray and Darlene’s we are beat, its really dark, this is some driveway. Get some of the best sleep we’ve had in a while. Day 8 will have festivities, a race and a banquet at Deep Creek Yacht Club, should be fun.
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