It's launch time!!!!

The smile says it all!

Coming in for a landing, or is it a beaching?

Axel and Grandpa on the maiden voyage, yipee!!

Paul Trame helps with the launch and Joe Garrett supervises!!

Rod christens the hull with a couple of fine Michigan Micro Brews.

Neighbors gather to see if it really floats!?!?

Neighbors check out the Wood Duck 12

Axel checks it out before we head across the street for the launch.

Our neighbor and friend Guy Runyan put a fan out email to our condo community.  Thanks Guy for helping make this launch a memorable event!  It was a short notice announcement as I was shooting for July 3rd but wasn't sure that I would be ready.  We had Grandson , Axel and company(his Mom--Jenn and Dad-- Andy, Aunt Meg, and Grandma Patty) at the launch as well as about 30 neighbors and friends.  We christened it with an Anglers Ale and an Oarsman Ale---both fine Michigan Micro Brews.  We had neighbors with American Flags, a Music box played "Stars and Stripes Forever".  A neighbor offered a blessing and off I went into the pond behind our condo.  It was a successful launch and Axel even went for a short ride!!  This project took 120 hours and 7 months.  Worth the effort and lots of fun to have the project turn out so nice!!