Wednesday, October 19, 2011

PRIDE GOETH BEFORE SAILING

Belhaven, NC 35º32.403N | 76º37.854W

Our new screened-in porch confounded swarms of Alligator River mosquitoes.
I used to think of myself as a highly competent person, able to make my way through life with intelligence and grace.

And then I started sailing.

Today is Dale's (Jessie Marie) birthday, so we let him decide whether to lay up at anchor in the Alligator River or forge on through rain to Belhaven. Dale always chooses to move on.

We were up at sunrise, ready to leave. I started the engine, and that's where things went wrong.

Chip was below, and I went forward to take the snubber off the anchor.

"Chip, come look! We're spinning in a circle."

"Are we in gear?!?!"

Of course we were. After starting the engine, I gave it a little throttle, but instead of doing that in neutral, I had engaged the engine. We did a complete 360º (maybe two) before I, or rather Chip, realized what was happening.

My Lucille Ball moment of the week.

Thank god for our amazing anchor.

I always told our kids that if you can laugh at yourself, you'll always have good material, (especially if you're me).

We've dropped that fabulous anchor in front of Belhaven to wait out a 48-hour, 30-knot blow.

Happy Birthday, Dale!!!

Dale vamping in Portsmouth.


In Coinjock with my "sisters": Karen, from Canada, and
Wendy, from New Zealand. The littlest beauty is Lily.
An ICW traffic jam. 'Tis the season.
Chip charging through rain in his new sou'wester' hat from Canada,
under the Bimini, of course.

1 comment:

  1. Love that photo of Chippie at the helm. Determination in spades! (and perhaps hamming for the camera in spades as well?)

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