Learn Advanced Coastal Cruising on Wild Rumpus!

The best way to learn advanced coastal cruising skills is to sail the coasts of the lovely Caribbean Islands. And, if you are going to sail the Caribbean, then Wild Rumpus is the boat to do it on under the gentle tutelage of yours truly!

Continue reading “Learn Advanced Coastal Cruising on Wild Rumpus!”

The Best Way to Learn is by Teaching

As the Grandest of Grand Poobahs of The Lodge of the Dense and Mentally Questionable– once I learn even a rudimentary skill, the best way for me to make it stick in my sugarless-gummy-bear of a brain is to find some poor soul to whom I can teach that skill.

So, having had basic sailing skills beat into my brain by repetition, and several ego-bruising incidents, I got it in my thick head that I want to teach others to sail.

Continue reading “The Best Way to Learn is by Teaching”

Georgians into Californians -heck of a change.

So we MOVED!! We are now Californians. Teresa’s new job is off and running. (Alston-Raids-Reed-Smith-MoFo-for-New-San-Francisco-Office)

Teresa moved to San Fran in March, but visited Atlanta a lot.  We visited her a bunch too. In the short term we rented a house in Tiburon with great views.

Continue reading “Georgians into Californians -heck of a change.”

Boat lessons

The boat saga continues.  I convinced Sam that the cost of diesel would end up limiting our desire to use a motorboat.  Plus, we could probably get a cool sailboat and a dinghy with a powerful motor to satisfy his need for speed.  The girls also started to indulge us and participate in the discussions about sailing.  Teresa and I even started to wonder if this would be a fun past time while retired. Then those girls of mine inserted their bit of practicality – none of us know how to sail.

Well, that brought us to a momentary stand still.

But wait- there’s more.  We had no plans the week between Christmas and New Years.  We usually take some form of road trip around that time.   That jump started my mental process.

So, I planned a trip to take sailing lessons in late December.   We took a family trip (nanny included) to Marina Del Ray and took the most basic sailing lessons available under the American Sailing Association’s curriculum.    We had a fantastic trip, a great instructor, and a ton of fun sailing.   
Sam, Teresa and I took the written exam and all passed.  Ella refused to take an exam on a holiday trip, opting instead to go for a pedicure with Emma, the nanny.
So, now three of us knew the basics of sailing (very very basic) and all four of us had a great time.  Sailing is sounding even better.  Once again, sailing pops up as a possible answer to “what will we do when we retire.”