One last time?
2006-11-20

We were supposed to have a crowd, but I guess the gray skies and 40 something temperatures gave most of the folks cause to reevaluate. In the end it turned out to be just Ken, M.E. and me and that was OK. The docks are mostly empty now, all the boats sitting up on the hard with their shrink wrapped cocoons awaiting warmer days. It made the reverse swing into the channel almost too easy. I�ll take it.
The bay was empty and both the sky and the water were the color of dark slate. The winds were gentle as we rolled out the jib and shut off the engine. Peace� It was nice to be floating again. The plan was to sail to the R8 bell and back and so we did. It�s only a distance of maybe 7 miles for the round trip, but emotionally, mentally it could have been a thousand. We looked for seals, but didn�t see any. One time we thought we might have had a sighting, but it turned out to be two black balloons from somebody�s 40th birthday regalia� A friend roared by in his powerboat a respectful distance away, apparently headed for Newport and drinks. They looked nice and warm in their little plastic enclosure and for a second I was jealous, but only for a second.
We reached the bell and tacked, our only one of the day. We were hard on the wind now and the increase in speed caused the wind chill to become a factor. T started to shiver about half way back and was torn as to whether I should start the engine or just bear with it. Of course we sailed on� When we got back to the channel, we did have to bite the bullet and start the engine. We rolled up the job, I wondered if it was to be for the last time this year�. We docked uneventfully which is always the best way, and I put her to bed with the promise of a long winter ahead.
Happy Monday.

Ron

Previous - Next