Posted: Mon, 28 May 2012 02:25 PM - 18,095 Readers

By: Ignacio Garcia

Memorial Day weekend is wrapping up, and it's been a great one if you ask Todd Hynes of the Gnarly Gar, who rolled up his sleeves and cranked out hundreds of meals to hungry boaters.
 
A burger here and some chicken strips there, staff at Point Venture's floating grill on Lake Travis had their speedwalking shoes on all weekend as they got slammed by boaters who have been closely watching lake levels go up.
 
Diane Hogan is an Austin boater who said she watches lake levels regularly.
 
"Almost every wee,  I watch it," said Hogan, who explained why it's important to her. "Oh, because of the economy of Austin and because everybody wants to see the lake to where it's supposed to be."
 
It appears that  the perfect storm is starting to take shape out in Lake Travis. The recent rains have raised the area lakes, travelers are starting to arrive for the summer, and the economic forecast appears to be good if you ask many area visitors.
 
The Gnarly Gar sold out of chicken strips and nearly ran out of boat fuel at the pump. Hogan said she and her friends spent hundreds of dollars this weekend.
 
"Gas. Gas is huge. Do you know how much gas costs to fill a boat?" Hogan asked. "And food, I think we've eaten out at the local establishments about three times."
 
Kenneth Zagorski from Houston also stretched out his wallet this weekend.
 
"We bought lots of fuel and buying lots of food and a little bit of beer, so it's been a mellow year -- but very nice," Zagorski said from his boat on the water.
 
The busy Memorial Day weekend that exceeded expectations for the Gnarly Gar's owner Todd Hynes.
 
"Probably record-breaking numbers this weekend we've seen," said Hynes. "So many people come in from out of town, a lot of unfamiliar faces. It was just an incredible weekend. The boat traffic has been enormous."
 
On the lake, they have their wishes: Bring on more happy, hungry boaters, plus a little bit more rain. That's everyone's wish this summer around the lake, and it may come true.

*  Story Contributed by: Ignacio Garcia