We Ran Aground

June 7, 2019

We ran aground! And I’m SO GLAD. Why am I so happy about the fact that the four layers of expensive bottom paint are literally being sanded off while I write this?  Because I have heard about a zillion times that everybody runs aground. Now that we got it over with, I have one less thing to worry about. No reef in sight. No hole in the boat. No injuries.  We’re good.

We’ve been sailing short distances on the weekends and it’s been loads of fun, but I wish we didn’t have our day jobs on quite so many days.  Not because I don’t like my day job, but because we both have the itch to go further. I would say the highlight sail destination so far was a corporate park in Stamford, Connecticut. It was not glamorous, adventurous or even beautiful, but it is the place where our son Zachary decided that he wanted to learn to do a handstand.  He has entered a contest called “Mr. Georgetown,” and he is hoping to entice the crowd with his newfound talent. Around the age of eight, one might have considered me a lower tier competitive gymnast. Zachary can do one hundred push ups. So I figured it should be no problem to teach him to do a handstand. In reality, it was a big problem!  It’s hard to put into writing exactly what happened when we suggested he just kick up his heels against a metal corrugated freight container. Michael and I were his spotters, but we were clearly as inept as our student gymnast. He crashed, crumpled and thumped in the most awkward way. What’s worse is that it was one of those moments when Michael and I were genuinely concerned and felt just terrible about the obvious injuries he sustained, but at the same time could not stop laughing!  He’s not a quitter though and after a day or so of icing his tail bone, he was back at it.

In general May and June are great months for sailing in Long Island Sound. It’s been windy at times, with 15-30 knots on the beam. Gerty screams along at 8-9 knots and it’s fun!  When the wind is light, so is the sky, as the sun doesn’t set until around 8:30 pm. The long days are perfect for good times with good friends and family.

If I have to pick a favorite nearby port, I would say, “Northport,” for it’s welcoming atmosphere, walkability/runnability and access to necessities like ice-cream and baked goods.  

June 8, 2019

The high tide was at 3 am and by 5 am the captain was up and moving Gerty away from the low spot while there was still plenty of water.  The early morning made for a very long and fantastic day. After a paddle to one of the Sheffield Islands, we dinghied to Norwalk Harbor. 

The SoNo area near the maritime aquarium has been revitalized with walking paths, restaurants and shops. The highlights for us were Memo’s Columbian Cafe and the Railroad Switching Museum.  If you’re ever in Norwalk, The Switching Museum is well worth 45 minutes of your time. Trust me, you want to know the origin of the, “high ball,” and what the terms “hooping up,” and “the copper brain” mean. Fascinating little piece of history in Norwalk, CT.

Today is a gorgeous lazy Sunday and I’m very busy watching the Sheffield Islands magically appear, disappear and reappear again with the changing tide.