Where's The Winch?
by Steve West on June 27, 2011

We took the girls sailing today. Unlike last year, Olivia did not throw a winch handle overboard because of our diligence in preventing it. The sailing is still free because of the heart of the owner who offers this once a month during the summer. There is still a fee to enter the state park which has increased from 5 bucks per car to 5 bucks per person. The four of us got in for 15 bucks so that started a debate as to which one of us was not considered a person. I lost.
As I implied, the first thing Brenda and I did after boarding was locate all loose equipment and keep Olivia far from it. Funnily enough, Olivia did not have to throw anything overboard as it happened without her participation. About a hundred yards into our trip, I noticed the skipper at the tiller struggling with the outboard (you have to use the engine to move away from the pier before you actually sail with the wind). I scooted down to that end of the boat to see if I could lend a novice hand. He very calmly asked me to hold the tiller straight while he hoisted the engine back onto the boat. He was holding onto it to prevent it from sinking into the Chesapeake as it had come free of its lashing. So I'm steering the boat as he's struggling next to me to bolt it back into place. There's only one other official crew member but he was busy hoisting sails and other piratey stuff. So I'm humming the tune to "Popeye, the Sailor Man" like the crazy guy from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest while the skipper continued to struggle with the engine. He got one of the bolts in place (there are two) and decided that that was sufficient for seaworthiness. Whatever you say, Cap'n.
The rest of the trip was mercifully uneventful in a good way. Warm temperature, cool breeze, picturesque view, and the engine stayed bolted throughout the rest of the trip. Olivia and Lauren adored it and I amused myself by pointing at the water routinely and telling Lauren what wonders I was observing (Nemo, squids, Spongebob, Aquaman, etc.). The captain apologized for the drama, but it made for an interesting part of the journey and none of us had to swim back. I did have to promise Lauren a boat for Christmas. She'll forget by then. I think.
Two Replies to Where's The Winch?
Steve West | June 27, 2011
Different for both. They have a small fleet and the captains and mates seem to be volunteers who rotate. Oh, and the last sailing trip was at the end of the boating season in October, 2010.
Web Junkie
Steve West scours the Web searching for interest or absurdity and then shakes his head ruefully when he finds it. Read more »

Lauren the Builder
Here’s a truly heartwarming story about the bond formed between my 5-year-old daughter, Lauren, and some construction workers. I embellished it only slightly. It will make you believe that we can all make a difference when we give a child the gift of our time. Go »
Halloween Post #7: Scary Movies
Movie moments are still stuck in my head from films I saw 30 years ago, moments that scared the crap out of me then and still run chills down my spine today. This web page has collected 100 of these scary film moments and tried to supply a Youtube clip for each one (not successful) and some interesting commentary. This site might hold you until Halloween. Go »
Approaching Decision Time
The Mickster/Sean Penn debate rages. I'm listing my reasons not to choose Mickey Rourke and comparing them to a similar list for Sean Penn. Mickey Rourke 1. Go »
Pass Out Drunk And Still Be The Life Of The Party
I haven't passed out drunk since my brother's bachelor party 25 years ago. Thankfully nobody cared enough to torture me like these guys. I experience schadenfreude seeing photos of this nature but still laugh my silly ass off. Go »
Halloween Short Clips
Mark Gervais created this film for Halloween to be broadcast on a home's window. If I saw this in my neighborhood, it would really creep me out and I would give the house a wide berth. Then I'd come back later and watch it a dozen times. Go »
Scott Hardie | June 27, 2011
Has it been a year? Time does fly by.
It sounds like a good day out. Was this the same boat and same captain as last year?