Frustration, irony, and simple pleasures. A sailors ramblings.

Posted By: Jay H, Sea Pearl 21, Seaward 24, Yankton SD
Date: 8/17/08 11:35p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

Where is the summer going? Hard to believe that we're halfway thru August already. Compared to the frequency of past sailing seasons, it seems that we've hardly sailed at all. Yet with the fewer trips on the water this season, we've found every bit as much satisfaction(if not more) with each outing. Every time we prepare for the last tack to head back to the slip we form that ever familiar "do we really have to go in?" attitude, and consider one more pass which we know that if we do, it commonly leads to, lost sleep, late appointments, or skipped household chores. Reality sets in and we grudgingly turn the wheel and make way back to resume life on hard ground. We slide past the breakwater into the entrance of the marina, turn West and move quietly along the rows of boats, then proceed to D dock and head down the alley to the last slip on the right. Not uttering a single word but remembering the sights, smells, and sounds of being out on the water. The motor is silenced and the routine begins,.. we each move about automatically and make short work of packing and covering and are soon toting the bag and cooler up the steps to the road where we always stop, turn around, and take one last long look at our trusty old friend. Already looking forward to the next outing when we can step aboard, and in that one short step, we can temorarily leave behind any of life's frustrations, clear our mind, and return to the simple pleasures that come with being on a sailboat. Fair winds to us all. Jay