WHAT A MORNING :)

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

So I wake up at 5:00 AM this morning. I know I have a busy day - I got a new listing in Garrison that I have to log that in to MLS then write the NYT ad. I also have office time this afternoon. So looking at the weather I see thunderstorms later this afternoon, but at 5:00 AM its cool with slight breeze. I can see as the sun starts to rise that its clear but for a little morning fog. Hmmmmmm what to do. I look at Lucky he looks at me and the decision is made. I have the gear all stowed and we are in the jeep heading for the launch at 5:05. A quick stop to grab some coffee and the morning papers and we are rigged and off the trailer and set sail by 5:30. I have to tell you this little sailing skiff is so easy to trailer and launch at a moments notice that its almost like having her ready at the dock. Tide is almost high and the river is like glass, a slight breeze as I set the sail. I run the line trough a spring cleat on the mid thwart. I use a bungy to set the tiller to the course I want. I like the bungy tiller set up it gives enough resistance to keep her in one direction and enough play to push and pull changes. Once the course is set I pull a long sip of my coffee and pull out one of my morning papers. Lucky is smelling the air, at a flood tide like this the air is full of the sea as the Atlantic and its salt water floods in. Herons take off and fly low to the mist covered river as Lucky eyes them as they glide past. He makes himself comfortable in the starboard side space between the CB & the rail with his head resting on the thwart. He lets out a long heavy sigh and closes his eyes. His much needed forward ballast is handy as the sun breaks out and the temp rises and thermal convection makes the breezes come. By 8;30 we are gliding effortlessly across the river on a strong tack back home. The river is at high slack tide and nary a ripple can be seen on its glass surface, the breeze is a steady 7 + or so. Sails and tiller set just perfect for an easy cruise back into the cove. As we approach Lucky is getting antsy little whimpers as we near land. Kick up the CB and the rudder, beach and load back onto the trailer by 9:15. Flush with salt air in my lungs I head off to the Garrison Market for fresh donuts and a breakfast burrito, good coffee. I'm in the office now feeling wonderful this just may have to be a daily thing :D

Edit for fish to bird change ;)

[ 06-10-2004, 12:27 PM: Message edited by: Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson ) ]

[Figment]

I love the sight of flying herring in the morning, just as I sit down to a nice breakfast of pickled heron.

;)

PS Lucky is aptly named.

[BrianY]

Sounds great! What kind of skiff do you have? I'm considering sailing skiff designs to build so I can do the same kind of thing on a nearby lake.

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid115/pcef81beef54c35ff4e0d8fe6d7358fb5/f8c37685.jpg

Brian she is a Salisbury Point Rowing Skiff built by Lowell's boat shop in MA
http://lowellsboatshop.com/

Hey I just saw they have it set up on their site with what looks like a marconni rig and Jib. Hmmmmmmm a JIB :D

http://lowellsboatshop.com/boats/sal_media/sal1.jpg

[BrianY]

drool drool drool! You're a lucky man, that's for sure.

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

No Brian Lucky is the dog :D

Hey looking into sailing skiffs check some of these out

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~fassitt/canoe_mirror/miller/miller_03.html

[Meerkat]

Joe; Maybe that's the Lowell Sailboat (http://lowellsboatshop.com/boats/sailboat.htm)? I know the pic you posted is from the Salisbury page, but this one looks the same:
http://lowellsboatshop.com/boats/sailboat_media/sailbt%7E1.jpg

[Leon m]

Nice story Joe :cool: I love going down to the
docks early on a summer Sunday morning ,ready the
sailboat,smell the lake air, everythings quite
except for the gentle ringing in the riggings.
Sit an have a cup of coffee and greet the
occasional jogger as I wait for the wind to come
up.

Kinda makes everthing,feel like it should :cool:

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

Friday Morning Sail.

Glorious, If sailing is a religion I had a conversion today :D
I was at the launch at 8:00 am, fog and mist lifting off the river. Dead low tide again, but a gentle 3mph breeze from the North West. Lucky and I cast off with my usual assortment of news papers coffee, and bagels. Sprawled out on the cushion on the floor of the boat lucky smelling the air and the bagels smile.gif . I rode the remaining tide out with the mild wind sailing south from Foundry Cove. Out of the cove around Worlds End and Into the shipping channel it took a long time but I was in no rush. My destination was just one train stop down river to Garrison and the Garrison Yacht Club of which I am a newly minted member. I wanted to exercise my membership and dock and use the club facility :D . Rounding Gees point with West Point in full view the breeze picked up as I finished the last of my coffee. Easy tacking towards Garrison Landing. A barge navigating the narrow curvy channel around Gees point and Constitution marsh, blew its horn as it push on.
The fog lifted and bright sun came out and the early morning moved into a hot day. Lucky drank from the folding water bowl I brought let out a sigh and fell back asleep. Gently cruising towards the Yacht club dock I tied up and let down the sail. Lucky jumped out and walked around the clubs deck. I went to use the head and go to the general store for more water and snacks. Up at the general store a young West Point cadet was asking the young High School girl behind the counter if she knew when or if a ferry went to West Point. The girl gave that blank stare that only High School counter girls can give. I knew there were occasional organized ferry trips from West Point to Garrison but no daily ferry. When I told him this I could see his heart sink. He told me they only get two weeks summer vacation and he went home to Utah to visit his parents and now he had to be back at West Point. I said I would be happy to take him if he didn't mind sailing in an 18 ft boat with me and a 135 lb wet lab. He said thank you and was so happy to get back in time. As we shoved off the Wind was really starting to blow a perfect steady 8-10 mph from the North West. I told him that the Salisbury skiff we were in would be just about the kind of boat that would have sailed a young cadet like himself from Garrison to West Point in 1860s during the height of the Civil War. He was impressed and relieved that we were making nice way across the river. As we approached the dock at West Point not one but three uniformed MP's and two state police greeted us at the dock. My passenger explained and showed his credentials and we said our good-bye's and I took that Stiff steady breeze tacking North east across the river. Five Very long tacks later I was pointed back to Foundry cove. Those five tacks were some of the best sailing I have had yet. The sun was shining the wind full and strong not too much but enough to get the most out of the skiff. Tide was starting to come in so I was riding that with the wind. It was wonderful I didn't want it to end. Pulled up the CB and kicked up the rudder let loose the sheet and glided into the beach the oars never leaving their stowed position for the entire 5 hrs. :D It was 1:00, I let out a sigh and Lucky went for a swim while I loaded the boat on to the trailer. WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL DAY AMEN :D

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid61/p96a0530d60d335f41153c36280785b6a/fc3ccd38.jpg

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

:cool:

Excellent story Joe, just excellent. Very, very cool. Makes me want to move to where there is more than inland lakes so I can actually go somewhere...