2022 Life Logs, Day 207: Afternoon Sail on L ‘Escargot
Date: Tuesday, July 26, 2022
Weather: Partly Cloudy, Cooler, Afternoon Wind; High 83, Low 60 degrees
Location: At Home in The Cottage, East Falmouth, MA
After days of having the window fans running constantly to fight the heat and humidity, I just now had to turn off the fan because I felt chilly. Yes, chilly at 74 degrees F. But with the fan off, I am fine.
Around noon I went to Heather and Jed’s to see what the boys would like to do this afternoon. As I got out of the car, near-by neighbor, Sam Patterson, walked by with his little dog, Wickett. Sam is the sailing partner of Bruce and Jane Woodin on their sailboat L’ Escargot and Sam was looking for crew to go out with him this afternoon. He asked if I would like to go and invited the Goldpebbles. I went inside to check and emerged with only Ollie. Sam doesn’t work on Tuesdays, but he had rowed for two hours early in the morning and then done some vigorous cycling, so he wanted to do nothing. Jonah just wanted to veg out, but Ollie was excited to go sailing. So off we went. Ollie has not really sailed except in his Opti since he was three years old as far as I know, but he seemed to know just what to do. He stayed on the dock to release the lines and then jumped aboard like a pro.
He watched Sam as we motored out of the harbor, listened carefully to Sam’s description of the best way to navigate with shallow areas on either side of us, keeping the red buoys to port (left) on our way out. It was blowing hard and was a little rough outside, but Ollie didn’t even blink. 
His job was to hold Wickett on our way out to Cleveland Light and then Sam let Ollie take the tiller all the way home.
He is a steady helmsman and did a great job. It was a fun afternoon. So, thanks, Sam Patterson, for the invitation. 
Ollie and I had a great time.
