A Skill I Would Love To Learn

Zebulon, NC

Zears ago, I was sailing with my Dad on Sacandaga Lake in NY.  We were on my Clipper 26, a boat that weighed only 2200 pounds.  The rudder broke off at the far end of the lake, forcing me to improvise.  On that day, I learned how to steer a sailboat using only sail trim.  I was very proud of the fact that I navigated the twisty path back to the marina and even into the slip 100% under sail trim control.

Later I had a  Tanzer 27 which weighed about 6000 pounds.  I was proud of the fact that I could sail her up to the dock and release the sails at just the right time to have her coast up parallel to the dock where I could step off.  I took pride by not using the motor at all during day sail outings in many different weather conditions.

Tarwathie weighs 25000 pounds loaded.  She also has a full keel, which means that she would much rather go straight ahead than turn.  I had to start all over again learning boat handling.  Believe me, I would never attempt to dock her under sail only.  On Tarwathie I am much less adventurous.

The point is that I have come to appreciate the art of heavy boat handling.  That is why I am so impressed by the big ship and barge pilots and their skills.  I would love to learn it myself, but alas that will never happen because I'm retired.

Anyhow, see for yourself on the following videos.  The first video shows the amazing results of a master doing it calmly and skillfully.  The second video shows a 3D animation of a real incident when docking is done wrong, with serious consequences.

Follow Peter Ryan's Passage to Bermuda

Zebulon, NC

Our friend Peter Ryan, just set sail today for a single-handed passage to Bermuda on his Westsail 32, Onapua.

He has some neat high tech stuff on board that allows us to follow his progress in real time.  https://share.delorme.com/PeterRyan

We wish Peter fair winds and following seas.


p.s. My project for today was to install a backup camera in our car. I bought it on amazon.com.   It took me 4 hours, but when I tried it out, it worked first time.  Hoooray!

Start Planning Now, August 21, 2017

 Zebulon, NC

I always wanted to see a total solar eclipse, but I never did.  This morning, I learned that a chance is coming up 8/21/2017.  

Looking at the map below, the Mills River Lookout on the Blue Ridge Parkway will be an excellent vantage point.  August is not the most convenient time for us, but we'll have to give it some thought.

If you're lucky, maybe you too can arrange to see it.

Silver Springs Slide Show

Zebulon, NC

We will spend 2 weeks with Dave & Cathy.  Lots of house projects to keep us busy.  It's too cold still to go further north.

Here are some pics and videos from our canoe trip in Silver Springs.  I'll repead my advice to readers -- GO THERE!!

Another Grand Adventure

Silver Springs, FL

66 years ago, my mother brought me to Silver Springs State Park to ride on the (then new, now famous) glass bottom boat.  Four months ago, I brought Jen here.  Now it is Libby's turn.

We camped here two nights.  This morning, we got started early and rented a canoe for two hours to tour the Silver River.  What a grand adventure that turned out to be.   The water from the springs is unbelievably clear and warm.  We could see 55 feet down, as if it were only 5 inches deep.

 The surrounding nature, and the nature in the water are fantastic.  There are monkeys here, but we didn't see them.  But we did see lots of fish, lots of turtles, a big alligator, and birds too numerous to count.

Libby sat and paddled in the back.  She never learned how to steer a canoe, so our course was a bit comical at times.  No matter, we were out there to look and experience, not to paddle.  Besides, the other people around on kayaks and canoes weren't much better.

We forgot to take our camera on this trip.  It is on board Tarwathie, so for the whole summer, I'll have to make do with a cell phone camera. I must have taken more than 100 pictures this morning. I'm trying to upload pictures from the phone now to post here.

If you have never been to Silver Springs, and if you are ever near Ocala, FL, I recommend it.   It is unique, and the kind of experience you'll remember for a lifetime.

Our first(?) selfie.

Can you spot the alligator?

Two turtles, 30 feet down.

The famous glass bottom boat goes by.  The brand new one I rode in in 1950 is now in a museum.  Sigh.