Sailing

The owner of the campground (our boss, John) and his wife, Marty, took us out sailing on their 35 ft sailboat. The sailboat is called Rainbows End. Neither of us had ever been sailing before and we weren't sure we would enjoy it. I guess we've seen too many movies where the sailboat is tipped so far over that it looks like everyone will just fall right out. They keep their sailboat on a mooring in Egg Harbor. John has a dinghy on shore that he rigs a 3 hp motor to and use it to motor out to the sailboat. So we had to safely get into the dinghy and then climb aboard the sailboat. Once onboard we just kept out of the way while the two of them worked together to take the boat out to sea.

It was very interesting watching them get the sails up and catch the wind. Jim helped tighten some of the ropes while they "tacked and jibbed". It was a beautiful evening on the waters of Green Bay with just enough wind to make it fun and the perfect temperature. Sipping wine and sailing along -- we both decided that sailing was great fun -- as spectators. We got to enjoy a beautiful sunset on the water. Of course then the wind kicked up so we got to experience a little of the "tilting" or "heeling" but it was still a pretty smooth ride even with the waves kicking up. It was dark when we got back to Egg Harbor. Riding in the little dinghy in the dark was a little scary -- probably the most scary thing about the adventure.

It was very nice of John and Marty to take us out sailing. I guess they try to take all of their workampers out for a sail at least once. John also flies a small plane out of the Cherryland airport in Sturgeon Bay and has offered to take Jim flying with him. Jim is going to take him up on it but wants to wait until fall when the air is smoother. (Its a very small plane so the ride will be bumpy regardless. )