Due to the recent surgery, my mobility was limited, so I was primarily seated, taking in the races with my own eyes. However, fate had other plans for me. In a moment of trust and probably madness, Chris Voith handed over his camera and asked me to capture some pictures. Now, let me make it clear—I am no professional photographer. And it showed. Every snap was dark and difficult to make out, leaving me scratching my head in confusion. Little did I know the solar eclipse that I mentioned earlier was to blame for the darkness, not my questionable photography skills. It was both a relief and a revelation when the shots became clearer and more transparent. I had unintentionally encountered the perfect conditions for capturing some ethereal and mysterious moments.

As the evening descended upon us after the first day of racing, we all gathered at the sailboard clubhouse—a stunning event space adorned with a large stone fireplace. The cozy ambiance drew me closer, prompting me to inquire about the rumored haunting of the lake. The tale that unfolded sent shivers down my spine. Legend has it that in 1958, two women—Delia Parker Young and Susie Roberts, dressed to impress for a nearby party—sped out of a gas station without paying. Tragically, they never made it to their destination. The car veered off into the lake close to Lanier Bridge, and both women mysteriously vanished without a trace. A year later, a fisherman made a chilling discovery—an armless body and the remnants of a blue dress, eerily like the one Delia was last seen wearing. Sadly, the coroner was unable to identify the body, and the mystery of the “Lady of the Lake” was born. Locals claim to have witnessed a haunting figure, an armless woman in a blue dress, walking along the bridge on moonlit nights. Interestingly, no findings were reported of Susie or the vehicle until many years later when the bridge underwent construction. As the workers swept the bottom of the bridge wreckage, they made a shocking discovery, a 1954 Ford was identified as twisted in half with the bones of Susie Roberts still inside. There is chatter of other spirits and stories, including an underwater ghost town, but, to learn more, I recommend attending next year's Atlanta Fall Classic.

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On a lighter and less haunting note, after the windsurfing races concluded for the weekend, we all got together for a potluck-style meal near the crackling campfire.  We indulged in martinis and an array of food and treats. Among them was the infamous campfire banana, something I had never heard of. Curiosity got the better of me, and I threw a banana onto the fire, following the lead of my fellow club members, waiting for the magic to happen. After about 15 minutes (or once you remember), you retrieve the banana, cautious of its hot exterior, and you are left enjoying a warm pudding-like dessert. Luckily, it was a fun take on the traditional banana and a recipe I can remember. Whether you’re into haunted ghostly apparitions or prefer the simpler delight of a campfire banana, the Atlanta Fall Classic is the place to be. Until next time, may the winds be in our favor, the campfires crackle, and the adventures roll on.