Moon over Kettletop Mesa, Elephant Butte Lake

The last part of our sail on Friday, January 9, 2009, was in dusk and twilight, as well as near to the full moon. So, the rising moon was an added bonus to a fine sail. Above are pictures of the moon seen over Kettletop Mesa at Elephant Butte Lake State Park in southern New Mexico.

More Sailing Photos from January 4, 2009, at Elephant Butte Lake

Distant peaks

View toward Monticello boat ramp.

View toward Barney's Cove with waves


Hills to the northeast and waves.

Boom, waves, sun, and shore.

Sailing at Elephant Butte Lake, January 4, 2009

Snow on the distant peaks of the Black Range of southern New Mexico seen from Elephant Butte Lake.

Boom framing winter sunset at Elephant Butte Lake, January 4, 2009.



Sunset view from the bow of Constellation


Ribbons and his crew had to return to Albuquerque on Saturday night, but good winds were in prospect for Sunday, January 4, 2009. And, they delivered. Zorro, Tad, Batgal, and I wound up sailing around the race course area, then decided to sail further north, around Long Point Island, up to the entrance to Barney's Cove, and well up into the area between South and North Monticello Points. The further north we went, the more the wind freshened. Then we got in some great spinnaker runs and reaches with winds in the 8- to 16-knot range and boats speeds of 6 to 8 knots. It was fantastic sailing, although getting a bit chilly for some of the crew. The winds moderated as we reached the end of our sail, but remained good enough for us to get back to the marina slip before it was too dark.

Sailing at Elephant Butte Lake, January 1, 2009

Freedom 21 "Five Planks" at Elephant Butte Lake on January 1, 2009.





On New Year's eve we drove to Elephant Butte Lake, and visited "Husker" and "Bassmaster", in whose house we spent the night. During the evening, we drove over to the lake to the cabin of "Dumbledore" and "Mother Superior", who were having a quiet New Year's eve celebration with "Zorro", "Magnum PI" and "Lady Magnum".

New Year's day was cool and cloudy, and football was on the tube to somewhat mesmerize "Batgal" and "Tad". But the day offered a bit of good wind, so when I heard from Zorro I gladly accepted an offer and went out on his Constellation for a good start to the year. That meant missing out on some good food and a close football game, but a good day on the water counts as some sort of delicacy for the soul, so it was a fair exchange. Although the breezes had lightened some since earlier in the day, we still had enough wind to go up and down the race course a couple of times and give me some practice on spinnaker handling that I much needed.


We weren't the only sailors out; "Five Planks", a Freedom 21, was also out on the water for a while.

Sailing at Elephant Butte Lake, December 7, 2008

Close view of Cultural Infidel

View astern of 19' P cat and S2 34 Cultural Infidel

S2 34 heading toward hills and mountains beyond

Stern view of Cultural Infidel


Sailing toward Turtleback Mountain. Now and then the GPS recorded speeds of 9 kph (5 knots)