Thursday, June 21, 2012

Sailing! Sailing! Over The Bounding Main!

SHIP'S LOG:

Boy, there is nothing like a brutally hot and humid day to We  make one appreciate being on the water!

We were blessed yesterday with a day that was closer to mid-August than mid-June. It was hot! It was humid! And there seemed little prospect of a breeze. The prospects were not good and the choice was simple: "die" ashore or go for a sail.

The difference between being on shore and being aboard ABISHAG was amazing, especially considering how chilly it actually was only a day ago. Still setting the boat up for sailing did generate a fair amount of sweat! But once sails were up and the wind filled in it was nothing but wonderful.I went that was for an hour or so, then over there for another hour or so, back across here and then back up river, before cranking on the engine, dropping sail and motoring to the mooring. Surprisingly,  and contrary to the Weather forecasts (NOAA hasn't gotten any better!) there was plenty of wind "out there," probably topping out at 20knots, enough to put ABISHAG's rail down and get her moving to almost 8 knots, which for her is some serious kind of speed,

People often ask "where did you go?" Truth be told, it is "the going" not "the getting" that is the enjoyment. Hazy as it was out there, I could look west and not see the Shore and could imagine that I was in the middle of an Ocean somewhere and just enjoying being there.  And the weather outside, on the water was wonderful. It was cold and breeze and even though it was still humid, it bothered me not at all. Coming back in did. When I got within a mile of land, I could feel the heat  and the cool almost went away.Once I was completely in the river, it basically did go away and once the boat was moored, and I was ashore, it was almost like I had never been out.UGH!

Today is supposed to be an equally hot and humid type day, so you know where I will be! May you be cool wherever you are!