The Little Things
Article by Jonathan Lewis
The summer heat and humidity that is a Chesapeake Bay staple finally broke this past week and Betsy and I were able to venture out on the Townsend Tern for a extended sojourn without fear of lightning strikes or heat exhaustion. Our new home waters provide numerous rivers and creeks to explore in close proximity to the launch ramp and although we can’t leave the truck and trailer parked overnight, we’re able to splash, anchor off the house and then bicycle the little more than a mile to the truck and move the vehicle, bike and trailer back to the security of our cottage driveway. We just reverse the sequence upon return.
This Labor Day weekend offered up gentle breezes and low highs on the thermometer although the sun was a constant companion. However, a real treat was bestowed when I arose early on the second morning. The boat was covered in dew! When we removed her winter tarpaulin earlier in the week, I had planned to hose her off for a good washing, however time escaped me and all the other chores readying for launch took precedence. CarriMal was content with the protection offered by her canvas cover and the sooner our “to do” list was completed, the sooner we’d be sailing. So awakening that morning to the cabin house and decks awash with the gift of moisture motivated me to hurriedly remove myself from my sleep sack and grab a soft cloth. I luxuriated in the act of rubbing every surface with the moisture Mother Nature so conveniently covered my craft with overnight. She sparkled in the early light of the day. Sometimes, joy is provided by the little things. •SCA•
Ah Yes..."the little things". Like your health and welfare. I am laid up with conditions of fourth stage Diabetes, limiting my sailing now. I recently down-sized from a 28 foot Morgan out island sailboat which was equipped to cruise blue water ports which I am glad to have spent 14 years in the past. After a fall on the docks of Mexico I abandoned my desire for more cruising and thought my cruising days were over. I recently purchased a WW 19 foot Potter and looked forward to the pleasures of sailing, as I once knew. Not to be, for health problems blocked that from happening. It just goes to prove; get out and sail when you are young and can physically enjoy the moment, not when you saved enough to afford the "perfect boat" to adventure in. Just another "little thing" to remember...just go do it!
This morning son, daughterinlaw and four granddogs, all aussie shepherds, headed back home after several days of pleasant company. After a day of cleaning up dog hair I'm ready to relaunch QB for a few weeks of sailing and tuning before it gets too cold for comfort. Next year will probably be the last of my adventures with QB as I age but I'm hopeful that a smaller oddball craft will fill the void. I really couldn't ask for more at the moment.