Catching up...

Far too long since the last post, but resolved to stay more current this season.

Since the last post Serenity has crossed many boarders (beauty of a trailer sailer!) and had her first taste of salt water! Early November '09 brought unseasonable temps to the midwest so my good friend Mike, 2 of his kids, my wife and our 2 kids set out one warm weekend morning to head north to Lake Geneva, WI. During the season Lake Geneva is overrun with powerboats and PWC's and just too darn heavily trafficked for comfortable sailing in my opinion. However in the beginning of 2nd week of November we only saw 2 other boats if memory serves; one small fishing boat and a Macgregor Motorsailor (choosing to motor not sail). Was a glorious day!

This spring, early April '10, found us trailering Serenity 800+ miles one way to The Sunshine State. We rented a house (again with Mike and his family) on Santa Rosa Island, a barrier island which runs from Destin to the Alabama border (I think...) What a time! Saltwater, dolphins playing and diving beneath us under sail; just spectacular. (unfortunate to know what is currently happening in the part of the world...) Much of the island is under the National Park System and a designated National Seashore. What a trip! (will try to add photos soon).

Now that it is sailing season again in the upper midwest U.S. we've already had her in the water a couple times. The improvements in our setup/breakdown time, along with our proximity to Lake Michigan and our municipal ramp (1 mile) have afforded us the opportunity to have a couple 90 minute sails and one full afternoon a couple weeks ago. Yesterday was our most recent, and certainly the heaviest winds this skipper's ever seen under my command! Winds were NNW (clocking unexpectedly and often to the NW) at 15 to 20, gusting to 25. Even in hindsight I don't think we were at all foolish (I'm still pretty darn conservative when it comes to wind and weather), but it certainly says a lot for an increased in confidence as I would never have attempted those conditions this time last year. We only had 90 minutes or so in the morning as the ever present time demands of children's activities (soccer in the case) were dictating our schedule. It was great that my father-in-law was able to join us as they just spent the previous night at our house. I think he really enjoyed it, but I also know he's looking forward to something more like 7-10kts, an onboard picnic, sandwiches, a couple cold beers and a trip to our "swimming hole" with the grandkids. But what a great day this one was!

Next up, Grand Traverse Bay! Will be heading up for the week next week, sailing out of Suttons Bay. I intend to do a much better job this season of journaling and photo documenting our adventures so stay tuned...!