Saturday, March 1, 2008

We're Sailing!

My first time to blog recounts another first for me - sailing.

The story is a heroic one, involving some great cooperation at the farm. After Duel read the post about the sailboat, he became inspired. He walked down to where the boat was "sleeping" and saw an opportunity. Although a tree was literally growing through the boat trailer, plants growing inside the boat, and lichen forming on its ropes, he believed that it could be salvaged.

I watched as he grabbed an axe from the cabin and proceeded to chop down the pine tree that mysteriously grew around the metal frame holding up the boat. After the tree was felled, we counted 12 rings giving a little bit of insight to how long it had been since the boat was functional. He then proceeded, with help from Sarah, to clean out all of the pine leaves that had accumulated before bleaching its exterior. It was amazing to see the transformation that occurred in just a few hours.

The boat stayed like this for a few days until Michelle, a new Glass Center member, serendipitously found the sail inside a random closet. It was all coming together, but none of us even knew how to sail! After researching it for a few hours we got the boat in the water and I discovered one of the great joys in life - sailing. It felt exhilarating to get into open water, wind blowing through my hair, trekking speedily along without producing any pollution in the wake.

We might not have an idea which direction is starboard, but that doesn't stop us from sailing here at Glass Lake.

5 comments:

will said...

WHOA!!!

Such an amazing transformation from one blog-post to the next!!!!!

Oh man it makes me feel good to know that you guys are sailing out there...

Unknown said...

Ahoy sailors! Way to go, it looks beautiful. I would love to come out to sail and to help you, but you are probably learning by doing...so great. Jane Rogers

Katie said...

You are so awesome, Hugh. I am so proud of the person you have turned out to be! Love you,
Katie

Jeff Turman said...

I'd love to have you come out and show us some things, Mrs. Rogers! We're certainly trying to learn by doing, but some advice from an experienced sea(wo)man would be much appreciated!

Julie said...

You guys worked wonders on that boat, good job!

Now to get the amazing nautical terms down-- starboard is right when you're facing the prow (front) and port is left. Or you could just point, that works out too...