Running Downwind

Megan and I went out a couple of weeks ago to learn how to run wing-and-wing downwind. The wind didn't cooperate, but we were able to figure it out.

A Little Too Rough

I wanted to sail last weekend, but the weather just wouldn't cooperate.

Out of the Water

Hauled Bliss out of the water to have the bottom sanded and painted. She was in good shape but about due for a painting.

We had gone to Baton Rouge on Saturday and were planning to have her put back in the water, but Tropical Storm Lee had other plans. Bayou Castine had flooded, and water was over the docks at the boat yard.

Planning to go back next week before the LSU/Northwestern game and bring her back to Indian Landing.

Captain Megan

We had a very good sail on Sunday evening with Megan, our oldest daughter. We headed out around 4:30, and the wind picked up a bit at about 5:30 p.m.

Megan wanted to sail, so I have her the helm.



Principessa came along, looking like Jackie O.



Matthew bounced around the boat, alternatively telling Megan how to sail, then squealing at each tack or jibe.



We left the genoa up until the first bend in Bayou Castine, just to show off a bit.

We spent a lot of this trip doing maintenance, including installation of two blocks on the cabin top to route the main halyard aft to the cockpit. Made a couple of bids on used winches on ebay, so hopefully I'll have another winch to install next time. I also had a lot of cleaning to do for our guests this time.

Left Monday morning to return to Shreveport. Until returning to Mandeville, my hobbies are limited to growing heirloom tomatoes and home brewing beer. We hope to be sailing again in a couple of weeks, though.

Fond Memories

On Saturday, we were privileged to host Dr. Burford’s family aboard Bliss. In accord with his wishes, we took him sailing aboard his beloved Bliss one last time. Words are inadequate to describe the experience, made possible by events both magic and tragic. Suffice it to say that the events of June 25, 2011, are burned into my memory for as long as memory can last.

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Graduation Day

Well, Matthew finished his Polliwogs class at the Shreveport Yacht Club. I cannot say enough good things about the club and its programs. Matthew learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed himself. Through Polliwogs, we felt richly welcomed by Shreveport's sailing community.

Principessa and I really enjoy the company of sailing enthusiasts. They are an interesting, helpful, and friendly group of folks. Unlike the stereotypes that "yacht club" conjures, sailors and yacht club members are mostly unassuming people whose company we greatly enjoy. If things change and our sojourn in Shreveport continues, I will be pestering them to make me a member of the Shreveport Yacht Club. What a great bunch of folks!

At the graduation get-together, Matthew's teacher told a story on him. On Matthew's first solo sail, winds began gusting to 15 knots or so. Matthew screamed (continually), pointed his Optimist dinghy toward the dock, trimmed the sail, and went back in. As I sailed out in another Optimist (for an adult, it's sort of like trying to sail your bathtub), he made a beeline past me in the opposite direction.

John, Matthew's teacher, told how Matthew, despite his fear, knew exactly what to do to get right back to the dock. John took pride in that, and he well should have. John, a middle school teacher during the school year, is an excellent sailing instructor and a great guy.

It was good for Matthew to get some experience in a more appropriately sized vessel. He likes to steer Bliss on Bayou Castine, but it will be a long time before he can sail her.

Matthew's First Solo Sail