A Kenneth Grahame Day

[Roger Long]

I slept late and then retrieved my stern anchor and stowed all the gear. Main anchor up next and I motored into Langs Marina to leisurely restore Strider to 100% fuel capacity and pump out the holding tank (15 bucks, ouch!) Then back to the mooring for lunch and a nap.

My new friend needed to mover her boat up the next river to a more secure anchorage near the boatyard so she can return home and deal with some things at her house. Her depth sounder is currently inoperative so I offered to lead her up the river and over, or around, the shoal spots. The anchor came up again at 1400 and we set off down the river.

Her engine was making an impressive amount of smoke at any real speed so progress was slow. Just around the second bend in the river, it quit completely. We both got our anchors down and I rowed over to chat and await the arrival of TowboatUS which took her the rest of the way. I then returned to Saint Marys with her keys so I can take her truck around to her tomorrow.

Sitting in the cockpit under clear skies and light winds with temperature in the mid 60’s I realized that I felt like the day was as much fun as anyone could ask for.

Like Water Rat said…..

 

[LuzSD]

it must be heaven in your shoes

 

[sailormanbigd]

good day

hey Roger sounds like you in the cruiser mode now. Do whatever you want, nap, motor around, stuff. Was that $15 for pump out, fuel, or both? Kindof lookes like you might have ureself a good boat friend with the lady, Wonder whats wrong with her motor? Keep the posts coming. Pat

 

[Roger Long]

Was that $15 for pump out, fuel, or both?

Well over 100 bucks for fuel. Even a modest boat like mine only gets about the same mileage as a tractor trailer.

 

[Roger Long]

Someone just sent me the full quote and suggested I post it:

`Nice? It's the ONLY thing,' said the Water Rat solemnly, as he leant forward for his stroke. `Believe me, my young friend, there is NOTHING--absolute nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Simply messing,' he went on dreamily: `messing--about--in--boats; messing----'
`Look ahead, Rat!' cried the Mole suddenly.
It was too late. The boat struck the bank full tilt. The dreamer, the joyous oarsman, lay on his back at the bottom of the boat, his heels in the air.
`--about in boats--or WITH boats,' the Rat went on composedly, picking himself up with a pleasant laugh. `In or out of 'em, it doesn't matter. Nothing seems really to matter, that's the charm of it. Whether you get away, or whether you don't; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all, you're always busy, and you never do anything in particular; and when you've done it there's always something else to do, and you can do it if you like, but you'd much better not. Look here! If you've really nothing else on hand this morning, supposing we drop down the river together, and have a long day of it?'

 

[Scott T-Bird]

You are a pistol, Roger! Making us feel this way ...

Pump outs on LH are $30 minimum ... but then again, I work full time.

 

[kloudie1]

Excellent Post !