Sunset Cruise



The Skipper


We finally got a break from the incredibly hot & humid weather and an evening without too high a percentage of thunderstorms so the first mate and the skipper decided to dust off Silver Lining for a sunset cruise.

Just a few miles up the lake and then back to the dock.  We enjoyed the cool evening breeze and a bit of wine and cheese just to keep us on an even keel.

The Mate

There wasn't much wind so we opted for a leisurely trip via the iron jib. 

Every time we take a short trip like this, we ask ourselves, "Why don't we do this more?"

Could be that golf, fishing, house maintenance, trips to Todd, kayaking and so on get in the way - but we really do need to do this more. 

Maybe this fall.........

A typical week in paradise.

Hwy 321 bridge

We decided to stick closer to home this year as our 16 weeks on the road last year was really taxing and we had little time to enjoy East Tennessee.  After all, we did move here to retire and enjoy life.

While many people consider "Retirement" to be sitting on the porch in a rocking chair and watching the world go bye, we have found it to be something very different for us.  I did sit in the red rocker on the porch for a few minutes but that was to recover from laying concrete blocks in our newly tamed area to the left of the driveway.  

 

Mary picking wildflowers

If you leave out the medical appointments (a more regular part of out lives since we retired), this past week is a fairly typical one.

The week began with our special Sunday breakfast of blueberry pancakes and watching Sunday Morning on CBS.  We have been fans for many years as we enjoy the upbeat news presented more than the depressing day-to-day world presented by the regular news media.

Then off to Bailey links for a round of golf in the afternoon - Mary has hooked up with a couple of new women friends and they are beginning to play regularly.  I get to play by myself on these excursions.  I don't mind as it gives me a chance to work on my game without the distractions of playing with a group.

Dinner at Key Largo

Then off to Key Largo Grill so Mary can sample the shrimp & grits and try to steal my flounder sandwich.

Monday found us on the spillway from Tellico Lake and Mary picked wildflowers while we walked along the shore.  Then in the afternoon, I played golf on out Toqua course with our neighbor Karl.

Tuesday through Thursday morning, we stayed close to home and worked on the yard, cleaned house, played the banjo, watched movies and did the laundry then Thursday night more golf for Mary & friends and more practice for me.  Friday found us grocery shopping and then taking a trip to Madisonvile just to check things out.  We bought a Keyboard for Mary (she has been hinting for some time) driving by the Kahiti course where we will be playing this coming Monday and just exploring.

Satur morning - golf, what else?  Then lunch at the Tanasi clubhouse, home to watch a bit of golf and then off to the yacht club for a late afternoon sail.

Life is good!  Now, if only we had more time......

Zack's sailing week.

Captain Zack

In mid June, we picked up our 17 year old grandson Zackary for a week of sailing on Tellico Lake.  This was the first time Mary & I had him to ourselves for a full week.

The winds we less than exciting but Zack was able to learn the fundamentals and sail a bit.  He even passed a final exam by transporting Nana across the lake and back.

It is such a joy to spend a little time with the next generation and to discover that although ther are addicted to video games and Ipods, they are, after all, just kids wanting to have fun.  Show them something new and after a bit of time, they take to it like ducks to water.

Maybe we can get Zack back next summer for more lessons and more wind.

Building OutDotCalm

What the heck is "OurDotCalm"? Why, it is that sailboat I had been wanting to build for 30+ years. In the 70's, Stevenson Projects designed a Weekender sailboat for Family Circle Magazine and I fell in love with the design and decided to build one "Someday".

Well, career, family, and all the other stuff of living got in the way of the boat project and it wasn't until the fall of 2000 when my friend Andrew Raring died in his 50's that I decided that my boat building "Someday" ought to come soon because I wasn't guaranteed a certain number of days and I had wasted more than 10,000 of them thinking about a boat instead of actually building
one.


So, in the Spring of 2001, I ordered the plans and began constructing my dream. Less than 4 months later on July 4, 2001, we launched OurDotCalm in Salem Lake here in Winston-Salem and released a grand sigh when she floated on her lines and sailed better than I had a right to expect.

We found a group of similarly deranged folk at the Back Yard Yacht Builders Association (BYYB) and have been enjoying adventures with them ever since. From the Chesapeake to Georgia and back again, we have sailed our little craft with like minded folks.

Think about that dream you have tucked away - then drag it out, dust it off and live it! You will be glad you did, we certainly are.