Why do we sail? A new year begins.

[Mas]

Most everyone that know us know why we sail, or at least attempt to, and we are sure it is pretty much the same for most. "Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."
? Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

Also many folks that know us know, 2019 was a particularly tough year on many fronts for our family. Thank you all for the kind words, encouragement, visits, cards, and calls. Having two extra girlfriends has helped as well, Susan is ok with this! Though one sits patiently in a barn here while the other one saw her sails filled little in 2019, we are claiming that in 2020 Susan and I will be having way more "threesome" dates with our girls! Here's hoping that the new year finds everyone here with an answer for "Why do we sail?"

Meanwhile....going skiing next week for the first time since "the incident" that will not be named. Gotta get back on that horse!

[Bob23]

Good words Rick. Carpe Diem my friend!
My admiral is not nearly as understanding as yours!
Are you headed to Whitegrass? I plan to invade there this winter.
Bob23

[Mas]

Wish it could be Whitegrass. There is a chance of some accumulating snow there in next few but then getting warmer again. Been a tough year so far for snow. Heading up to Wintergreen cuz they can make it but even there things are kinda slim given the warm temps. If Whitegrass gets a good dump will definitely head up. You might just have to play hookie if it happens during the week. Promise I won't tell....much!

[Bob23]

Deal!! Is there cross country at Wintergreen?

[Mas]

Morning Bob! Inna nutshell Winterrgreen has incredible snow making but just on the slopes. Because of it's elevation it does get a fair amount of the stuff nature provides thus good skiing on the golf course up there as well as the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is next to the resort. The Parkway is not cleared of snow and instead simply closed till it's gone. This does make for a great opportunity. If ya want the real deal with tons of terrain and kilometers of trails then Whitegrass is the best.

....meanwhile thread drift alert!!!!

So folks why do you sail!?

[Bob23]

Ah yes...I kinda got off track here so I'll try to reel myself back in.

  Why do I sail you ask? It's possible that there are no proper words to describe why we are completely content to move through the world at 6 knots, powered only by wind and tide. For me, it's my church, when I'm closest to God and we have had some great talks. I try not to blab (hard to fathom, I know) but I'd rather listen to His voice in the winds.

  When the boat's trimmed just right and she's moving along so efficiently, there is a harmony...a feel that all is right with the world if even for a short time. All the forces of nature seem to combine and work in union which provides an effortless feel to life

  And, I just love it! Pure and simple and Mas captured it perfectly when he quoted Ratty in "The Wind in the Willows". There is nothing, absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats!

[Mas]

Well...I did mention skiing to start this thread so totally excused!

Meanwhile I here ya on the mindful nature of this thing called sailing. It must be something that captures a soul as otherwise when you sail what is also true is you live in your basement when at anchor and think 7 miles per hour is fast when making way! No wonder sailors drink so much rum!

Who else finds a reason for why we put up with the costs, the vagaries of weather, the uncertainty of anchorage, the hope for good passage, the time commitment, and all the PBR drinking 'wharf rats"?!

[Bob23]

Yeah, where are all these other wharf rats? Chime in ladies and gents!
Bob23

[peterg]

Hey Bob, the only reason I sail is because Rick has a boat right around the corner from me!!!  My communion with a higher being takes place daily from my kayak!   Twice as much on Sunday......

[Bob23]

I knew he was lurking! Yes, but Pedro the Brave- we must sail together soon!!

[Tim Gardner]

Why do I sail?  The peace and quiet.  Moving from place to place without burning fuel is great.  Ice boat and sunfish sailing as a kid on Cayuga lake in CNY hooked me enough to want a life at sea, so I attended Maritime College in NYC.  Sailed there on the sound, the Pontchartrain in LA, the gulf in TX & now I sail on Smith Mountain Lake in VA.  The feeling stays the same, always fun & sometimes frustrating, never boring. 

It's the least expensive hobby I have, bar none.

TG

[AirborneJarhead]

Good luck with the sailing this year, Mas! Any plans for another camping trip to Ocracoke? They are going to be in dire need of a strong tourist season this year after Dorian knocked them to their knees. We will be there in May, as long as the campground is open for visitors.
We stockpiled paint and supplies and will get our little 16 ready for what we hope will be a busier sailing season than last year. Shouldn't be too hard to top the 2 trips of 2019.
Hope you have a great 2020.

[Mas]

Well a few responses are due!

Pedro, aka peterg, ""I don't mess with no steenkin boats" from a text to me. May have to do the ole Odysseus move and tie him to the mast and go out.

Tim Gardner, "It's the least expensive hobby I have, bar none."  You clearly need more boats!

Airbourne, "Shouldn't be too hard to top the 2 trips of 2019."  Feel your pain! Hope to see Ocracoke as well.

Meanwhile as Bob23 queried, "Yeah, where are all these other wharf rats? Chime in ladies and gents!"

[slode]

The only people I talk to who don't sail who understand the feeling of sailing ride motorcycle.   There is just something extremely relaxing about doing something that takes so much concentration everything else just fades away. You are still able to think about other stuff, but not deep enough to let it get to you.  All the troubles of life escape you.  I think that feeling is at the heart of any good hobby.

I also love the physics of sailing.  Using the combating forces of wind and water to propel you in your desired direction is very fulfilling.

[HeaveToo]

Yep, 2019 was a rough year.  I am starting to go through sailboat withdraws.  I swear that the daydreaming and thinking of sailing is even worse during the winter.  My blood itches!  LOL

So....haven't had the Bayboat out since June 2019.  Haven't been fishing since May 2019.  I spent the Fall dealing with family stuff.  It is incredibly hard to get away when schedules are as hectic as the ones my wife and I have.  She works most weekends, I am off every other weekend.  There is always the constant daycare issue when we work weekends and my weekends off are spent doing daddy daycare for Zoe (she is almost 18 months now). 

I am hoping that 2020 is better.  I am really wanting to switch back to sail soon and I am trying to figure out a plan for this.  We shall see as boats can be expensive and my budget is tight with daycare costs ($1,000 a month).

Crossing our fingers for a better 2020