During the weekend of June 18-20, several members of the Rio Grande Sailing Club converged on Navajo Lake on the
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| Boats from the Rio Grande Sailing Club (New Mexico) and the San Juan Sailing Club (Colorado). The "mooring cove" where we are rafted up is right on the New Mexico - Colorado border at the 37th parallel of latitude (approx. -107d 25m 37s W long, 37d 0m 03s N lat) (one of the longer straight lines on a US map). |
Colorado - New Mexico border and had a beautiful weekend of sailing, fellowship and relaxation.
Six boats made the trip to the Colorado end of the lake, launched and spent a great time with members of the San Jaun Sailing Club. Winds were around 20 mph with gusts to 30. Everyone got out on the water and did some sailing.
Friday evening, when everyone arrived, we moored up in a cove and enjoyed a beutiful sky full of stars and plenty of liquid entertainement. The junior sailors watched DVD's while the rest of us visited well into the midnight hour.
Sailing Saturday was exciting. Winds were up around 20 mph sustained with gusts over 30. Most boats just cruised around with jibs or reduced mains, but plenty of action to get the sailing itch scratched.
Saturday evening, 11 boats rafted up to a mooring in a specatcular cove with views of the mountains and wildlife for everyone to enjoy. There was plenty of food passed round the boats and everyone had more than enough to satisfy.
Sunday morning we pulled out, rigged down and headed home, completely relaxed from a great weekend of water fun.
Notes for future trips:
Anyone who has considered going to Navajo should do it. Definately use the Colorado end and be ready to be showered with friendliness.
Plan to stay more than 2 nights. We should have. After the long drive (4 hours from Albuquerque) and the time spent rigging and launching, another day should have been spent exploring some more of the many coves and anchorages around the lake). Even a week on the lake would afford a very diverse and enjoyable trip.
Also, we dressed for our usual sailing weather at the Butte so we were underdressed. Evenings were very cool so long pants and sweatshirts would have been nice.
All in all, a great place to sail. Highly recommended.
Best wishes,
Patrick