As some of you know, me, Boo Boo and the twins had been on the road in our RV for 3 weeks before we arrived at AOTH. It was a long run and AOTH was our final stop before heading back to Jackson Hole. Here are some of the things I learned at AOTH XI
1. ITTLFLI really does fly. A Donzi Blackhawk running is a beautiful thing.
2. 2 year old twins love ZX cuddy cabins.
3. 2 Year old twins also like green and white 22's.
4. Flowerpots will run 90 mph with a bent prop.
5. ZX's don't go anywhere without a prop.
6. GT-21's built by Parnell are REALLY cool. My favorite boat there.
7. Mick's boat looks amazing in pics, and even better in person.
8. I have wondered why AOTH is held in the middle of nowhere KY, after a ride on Cumberland, I now know. Amazing lake.
9. 20 ft Cigs don't like being harrassed by 2 very fast ZX's, but take it in stride. The 4 Cigs there were absolutly beautiful.
10. Every year, I get one year older and Bill (Hedgehog) gets one year younger.
11. Lenny simply does not age.
12. Scott Baxter (Mad Poodle) is the only one there without a boat that can still sandbag.
13. David (DonziVol), contrary to popular belief, does not actually break down everytime he goes out in his 18.
14. Ghost (Mike) really is a ghost, took me all weekend to track him down, but I finally did.
15. Tornados suck.
16. Wakeboard boats desgnated as tow boats rock. Thanks Tim and crew for having all our backs.
17. Donzis snore. How do I know? Because there were some SERIOUS sleepers there......
18. ZX's with twin big power small blocks are way cool. Nice boat Andre.
19. You don't even break a sweat with only 20 steps to the dock.
20. I think Jim would look good in a pink Donzi fleece.
Boo Boo and I were overwhelmed and very touched by all the help and offers we got to help with the twins, including but not limited to-
1. Stan (Inferno) offering to let me take the family out in his beautiful 18.
2. Donzi Di helping Boo Boo on the Docks.
3. Tim (Reddog) taking us back to Jamestown after Brian broke his prop shaft. He scarificed alot of the afternoon to help us.
4. Parnell offering to take me out in the GT-21 for some needed time on the water.
5. Deb calling Tim for us, and generally helping a bunch,
6. Brian for giving us a great day on the water in his ZX, knowing he might have to take us back to Jamestown if the twins went Nuclear (they didn't).
7. Byron offering us a ride to the falls after the breakdown.
And the list goes on and on. Thanks to everyone for the much needed help.
Things have been tough on this board lately but AOTH reminded me that the Donzi Community is not about chat boards or even Donzi's themselves. It is about the people that own them. I did not hear one cross word all weekend. Just a bunch of freinds enjoying the lake, Donzis and each other.
It was great seeing all my old freinds and meeting a bunch of new ones.
To Byron, Todd, Jerry and crew, thanks for putting on such a great show. See you in Chattanooga!
John, Boo Boo, and the twins- Jean and Brooks