Dear T&T and PUP list members, As many of you know Ben Gray launched a George Buehler designed 57 aluminum boat on a river in Northern Alberta Canada about 14 months ago. Two land portages, a crossing of the ice strewn Northern Passage, a rounding of the Cape of Good Hope and one of the longest distance passages in a pleasure boat between Cape Town S. Africa and Fremantle Australia were just some of the accomplishments Ben and his crew checked off with no fanfare or boasting. In recognition of Bens astounding achievement a group of people has expressed an interest in greeting the boat as it arrives near Vancouver B.C. on August 11th. The current plan is to have Idlewild arrive at a marina on the Fraser River south of Vancouver. Final details with the marina are being arranged and a follow-up announcement will be made regarding shore side greeting activities. My purpose in writing is to assess interest in forming a small greeting flotilla to rendezvous with Idlewild as she approaches Vancouver. If you are interested in participating in a greeting flotilla, or the shore side greeting, please contact me off list. This is an amazing accomplishment and I look forward to meeting a man that clearly doesnt let obstacles get in his way. I believe there will be a great deal to learn from him, and hope others would like to take advantage of this opportunity to congratulate Ben and his sons on this outstanding achievement. Again, please contact me off list at scottebulger@comcast.net Thanks, Scott Bulger (PUP List admin) Alanui, Seattle WA 40 Nordhavn