A blast from the past

While kicking my heels here in FL on vacation, what boat should happen along but my own former beloved Cal 36 Clarity, the boat I rebuilt from near derelict into a fine cruising yacht. Not only did I get to see her still in great nick, but I got to go on a three hour cruise, taking my dog for her first ever boat ride. The trip was nothing like the cruise of the Minnow, though. The boat moved flawlessly and fast, pushed with a brand new 40 hp yanmar engine. It was a bit mind blowing being aboard again, although after two years, I felt mostly disconnected. I did have a flash of waiting out that sweltering hurricane season in Fort Myers beach, grateful that a big windy never arrived. Then I remembered all that bashing to windward down the east coast, and squalls from every direction in the Bahamas. Ah, the good old days of cruising. Not that Clarity is cursed or anything, but the new owner has had nothing but wind on the nose since he set out. It’s not the boat, it’s sailing the east coast, I swear. Although it was great to see Clarity again, I had no burning desire to jump on board and beat my way to windward in search of the green flash. Guess I really am a gosh darned land lubber now.