As Gene and I were walking along this foreboding place we noticed all the graves just after sunset. I must admit it was a little spooky and all. Gene was walking in front of me because I have always been the scardy cat of the group. Suddenly, Gene yelled out this ear shattering " Yahoo" or " Google " or "Waaaaaaaa" or something like that, I was too scared to understand it completely. I used by trusty Daffy Duck flashlight downhauler combo to light up the scene. There was Gene with the worst look on his face that I have ever seen. He was slowly being pulled into the soft red mud by a creepy grey hand that was protruding from the earth. I was so scared I just wanted to turn and run but then I remembered that Gene had one of my sails in consignment and I wanted it back. So, Peelskid to the rescue. I grabbed the biggest rock I could find and I slammed it against the hand holding Gene's ankle. Gene let out a bloody cry and pulled away. THE HAND SLOWY PULLED BACK INTO THE RED EARTH, NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN!

We both exited Bozo Island post haste ( Gene limping and bleeding all the way ) and headed for Gene's house. When we got to Gene's house Gene's new tenant wanted us to go into the basement. No way we were going down in some dark, damp, dreary basement this close to the day in question.

I got my sail and went home. Gene stayed at his house with that basement and near the site of the ankle grabbing grey hand.

Man, I think you can have that place. It's a spooky world out there and I think I am through with sailing until next year or at least some time that has some distance from October 31st.

Oh and by the way, guess who were absolutely useless and of no help at all. That’s right Barrett, Chris P. and Chris V.

They didn’t bother to lend a hand, nor console, nor offer us water nor NOTHING! Thanks a lot guys. I just hope you are in need one day.

Here is my understanding of events this morning at Van Pugh.

When I arrived at 10AM the Lake was covered with whitecaps, but at 47F, it was BRRR-COLD. I rigged my 5.7 meter sail and headed out. Eventually Gene and David showed up, rigged and got out on the water for at most 10 minutes. Rather than sail in the cold they made up some excuse about going to explore Bozo Island. The water is now so low that you can walk out to Bozo Island.

I can say that Dave & Gene walked out to Bozo Island dressed in rubber suits and returned wet. As for David's call for help, sorry but I didn't hear it because I was out windsurfing. The rest of the story about grave sites and a mysterious hand groping Gene from the mud - I can't be so sure about that either.

Sounds like they might have found a wacky weed patch out on Bozo Island.

I sailed juliette yesterday, It was pretty windy in the morning but around noon slacked off a bit. 8.4 worked good until about 4pm then the gust came few and far between.

I saw something almost as sacry as that hand reaching out for Gene's ankle yesterday at Tidwell. Near the boat ramp, there are no several tree tops above the water and I can see stumps below it. I even hit one. Its much better now to launch from the "beach" that is on the east side of the parking lot. As for sailing, it was 5.2 conditions (100 lt board) from 8 till around 11 when I left. Unfortunately, I started out on a 6.4 before going to 5.2. Pretty wild day for sure!

On the news last night, they showed the rescue of someone who took a 4 wheeler out onto the Allatoona lake bed. He was trapped in some "quick mud" and was stuck up to his chest.

I was up at the house yesterday and I continue to be freaked by how low the lake is. I'd rather have been sailing but I was moving boats about to keep them off the bottom.

There is "quick mud" for sure at Lake Lanier. I sometimes sink a foot deep into it when walking out to launch. Hope things don't become too dangerous to sail.