Another Boaty Day

Sunday I woke up and checked my e-mail on my phone. Ed Robinson just released another Trawler Trash novel. His books are set in quite a few places where I've taken my boats. It's great to read a story about places I've been and things I've seen. Thanks to the miracle of modern technology I was reading the new book before even getting out of bed.

In the afternoon my lovely wife and I took my twin aunts and my uncle for a sail. Winds were light, but there was enough to move us around the lake. Actually, light winds made for a relaxed sail and we had a chance to catch up. That's one of the things I really enjoy about sailing, the lack of engine noise drowning out all conversation and thought.

By the time evening came around my lovely wife and I were watching the Sail Channel. There's a big difference between our little Oday 19 and foiling racing catamarans. It's like comparing thoroughbred racehorses and a donkey. I happen to like my little donkey as it's a lot less finicky about absolutely everything. Just keeps plodding along.

Some years we've had barely an interruption from sailing on freshwater lakes to sailing off the coast of Florida. This year we have the opportunity to spend Christmas in New Hampshire with my daughter who moved to California and her two kids. Sailing is going to have to wait. While I'm usually not a big fan of Christmas, I am a big fan of family.

Our plans for the rest of the winter are wide open. I'm making sure the house is ready for us to spend the whole winter if necessary. Believe it or not, I actually miss snow. Last year they tell me it wasn't much of a winter. The local ski club barely had enough snow for their yearly competition then it all melted. That's not much fun at all. If I do stay around for most of the winter I'd actually like a good deep snow pack. I miss snowshoeing.

It might be one of those years when it would be good to head south late winter/early spring. Spring in the North Country can break your heart. There will often be a string of nice sunny warm days, then another foot of snow falls on the ground. The lake could be just about to thaw then refreeze all over again.

Our plans are flexible, but this might be one of those years when it makes sense to stick close to home, even if the sailing has to wait.

-Sixbears