The ceremony for the sprinkling of Art's ashes was planned as a "Raft Up" at South Beach, which was one of his favourite spots on the lake.
Art was a regular reader of my blog and would regularly comment to me about my posts and I really appreciated his input and Dan was one of the regulars at Art's Captain's table. So, we certainly would not miss his send off for any reason.
Now a raft-up is not a simple thing to accomplish. Especially when there are so many boats that want to take part. Art was a much loved man in our boating community, so there was a very large turn out. It starts with two boats rafted (which means tied together, with fenders in between) that go ahead of where they want the raft to end up, drop their anchors, then back up until they are being held into position on their anchors.
Then very carefully one by one you add boats to each side of the raft, tied together with fenders in between. Every few boats must have an anchor. So that means that, that boat must set it's anchor then back into position. (A tricky manoeuvre)
There were so many boats they had to start a second raft out front of the main one. Those in that raft-up had a great view.
Then it was our turn to pull in at the port end of the main raft.
Once rafted, the swim platforms of all of the boats should line up, and everyone gets a chance to walk along the swim platforms and socialize with each other and share stories, condolences and memories.
Then when all was ready everyone was summoned to the bows of their boats for the actual ceremony.
Orange was one of Art's favourite colours to wear, so because of that the family all wore some orange, which was nice for us as we could pick them out from a distance.
Art and Gay's three son's Ryan, Chris and Nick, escorted their mother to the bow of "Misprint" and she poured his ashes into the lake.
Everyone said their farewell, and raised a glass in a toast.
"TO ART"
What a lovely ceremony it was. Very casual, just like Art would have liked, but also very poignant and moving.
That's the way to do it.
