"When I think of all the fools I've been, it's a wonder that I've sailed this many miles." -Guy Clark

Sunday, August 4, 2019

unintentional


Wearing my sunglasses in the bright sunshine, when it is difficult to see the screen on my iPhone, I must have hit some filter in the camera app.  Above is what I found when I got home and looked at my photographs.  The scene did not look like that.  The clouds were white and puffy, yes, the sky bright blue.  But I still like the image, even if it was unintentional.

It was a pretty drive south this morning between the farm friends and the old Dismal Swamp Canal.  Surprising amount of ground fog where the road makes the final curve south leading into North Carolina.  Clear at the ramp, light wind as expected for the sail.  No one on board complained.

My favorite ramp ranger, one who expressed definite feelings about my intelligence, was on station when I came back in early afternoon.  We ignored each other, though I could not ignore the stink from his cigar which was worse than the smell of a poorly tuned, smoke belching diesel. 


I did find a new place to mount my SPOT Gen 3 where it is easily accessible and yet out of the sun and rain.  (That is the end of my oar at lower left, the coaming at top and my day storage box bottom right.)  The SPOT is always on board now, a change I have made since reading about Dory Man's capsize and eventual rescue.  Having all safety gear, whether day sailing or cruising, was recommended to me in an email from my welshman friend and Navigator sailor Steve.  It is an excellent idea.  So the SPOT is always there.  And like my new night signaling strobe, I hope to never use it.



7 comments:

Robsduet said...

Great photos! Love your blog. Did you use a ramp in NC?

Steve said...

Yes, very nice ramp on the waterfront in Elizabeth City.

Robsduet said...

I will have to check it out. The ramps in Chesapeake get so congested! Thank you!

Steve said...

The ramp at Elizabeth City can get crowded too. I try to launch early in the day at all ramps with the hope of beating the crowd.

steve

Tom said...

Come up to Maine! I spent the day on Eggemoggin Reach - glorious sunshine, Temps in the 70's, 15-17kt steady breeze out of the south. A glorious reach for everyone, east or westbound, as advertised. Beautiful boats, cooking along under full canvas all day. Spartina would fit right in!

Steve said...

Believe me, Tom, it is on my list. Just got to get past that working for a living thing.

Tom said...

Get your editor to send you on assignment! Get creative... "Photoessay: Lost Virginians eating Lobstah"