Monday, April 25, 2005

Victory at Sea

Sometimes in my line of work, you come across some unique individuals, usually accompanied by unique circumstances. This happened to me yesterday. I’ll change the names for the purpose of this entry. This story is about a man and his dream.

Dan had called more than a month earlier to check on our facilities and to see if he might use them to launch his boat and store the boat trailer on our property for a week. He had a sailboat and wanted to sail to Charleston, S.C. No problem, I figured, so I give him the thumbs up.

The big day arrived and so did Dan and his sailing buddy. Turns out, the boat they are launching is a 12.5 ft Herschoff, a beautiful little day sailor. This one had been completely refurbished and looked brand new. It also turns out that we were experiencing 30 knot winds yesterday with gusts much higher. You can’t tell from the picture, because of the angle and the way it’s cropped, but it was rough out on that water!

Dan knows about the conditions but will not be deterred! We get the boat in the water and I watch as several people try to talk Dan out of sailing that little boat in those strong winds. After Dan gets all the sails rigged and is in his final preparation for departure, I pull him away from everyone else and have a talk with him.

Dan has almost fifty years of sailing, and his buddy is just as experienced. He had planned this trip for over a year while refurbishing this boat. Nothing was going to keep him from his plan.

Sometimes, when you look a man right in the eyes, you can judge the mettle of the person. I saw confidence and calmness in Dan’s eyes while we talked. I also saw that he was going, no matter what.

Most of us professionals on this part of the waterway know each other. I got reports throughout the day on Dan’s progress. It became clear that he was going to successfully complete the first leg of his trip without mishap.

I have to admire a man with a dream. Someone who will not let others stand in the way of his accomplishments. My hat’s off to you Dan! May you have clear skies and calm seas for the rest of your journey.

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

ahhhhhh.... looks cold but beautiful. You are off to a great start my friend. Have a good afternoon!!! judi

Anonymous said...

Looks wonderful, I have never been sailing would love to go sometime...

Anonymous said...

It appears he has more then a dream to venture out in that water. : )
I love the water as long as I can be on the shore looking out. Minnesota's lakes don't bother me (much)  but every experience I have had on ocean water has ended with me puking the entire trip.
Candace

Anonymous said...

I hope this man makes it and has a great journey....gotta love a man with a dream and determination.  Can't keep a good man down??  :)  
Michele
http://journals.aol.com/samnsmile5/LettingItAllSinkIn

Anonymous said...

no stopping a man with a dream, may he have smooth sailing ahead :-)

www.jerseygirljournal.com

Anonymous said...

I just found your journal -- it's great!  I'm looking forward to reading more about life on the water.

Anonymous said...

Good for him...goes to show you should never give up on a dream...glad he is safe so far...JAE

Anonymous said...

Awwww... A man, a dream, and a boat... May his trip be wonderful and without mishap.. AND, if you hear how he's doint, let us know please!
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind

Anonymous said...

Candace (keep away--I saw her first) e-mailed me about your new journal. I'll be a frequent visitor...I really like what you've done so far. The link is to an older entry of mine you might enjoy.

http://journals.aol.com/belfastcowboy75/TrickleofSemi-consciousness/entries/874

Anonymous said...

Sometimes I wonder if holding onto a dream is more detrimental than losing it????
I hope Dan has a safe trip.
Love the pic,
J

Anonymous said...

Way to go!  I really enjoyed this entry.  Look forward to more!

Anonymous said...

I love that kind of determination backed up by preparation and skill.

Anonymous said...

Nicely written Sam.  I was standing right there with you urging him to stay on land!  I love those great windy sailing days, the kind that have you heeling over and touching the water with your fingertips.  But only while sailing on the 38 footer.  Hope his trip goes well and his preparation and experience hold him fast!

Anonymous said...

I am all too familiar with 'that' look  :)  I sure hope he makes it okay!  Will you hear if he has?  And if so, will you let us know?

Gotta love not standing in the way of a person's dream  :)  

Thanks for sharing.....

Cat

Anonymous said...

Such a small boat! You are a good man to keep tabs on him.

Anonymous said...

That picture looks so inviting!  It's been years
since I've been out on a boat.  <sigh>
Connie

Anonymous said...

Yayyyyy Dan! I love when you can read someone by their eyes.. not only because of the advantage of being able to know a bit about a person, but when you can read into their eyes, you know they arent hiding anythng. its a good judge of honesty.  ~Sooz

Anonymous said...

hats off sound s famliar lol just joking,,, hats off to dan it is

Anonymous said...

That's a cute little sailboat.  I admire anyone who can sail.  My experience in the water is fishing out of a tiny row boat on the Mississippi River with my dad when I was a kid.  To be out on the ocean on a sailboat is not comparable at all.  LOL  I guess that makes me a land lubber, doesn't it?  ;-)

Anonymous said...

I loved reading your journal ....:::::slyly slipping on sunglass:::

Anonymous said...

I wish him calm seas and clear skies too..

E

Anonymous said...

With that type of determination and drive anything is possible.  My hat's off to Dan as well.  Good luck!
Tami

Anonymous said...

Great story!!!! Wishing Dan Smooth Sailin' .....smiles...Muse

Anonymous said...

the man can write. judi

Anonymous said...

Sometimes it defies logic and sanity....when a man gets something in his head there is no stopping him.

Anonymous said...

I wish I could be like that!

Anonymous said...

Sam :0

What an amazing entry and moral to the story as well. I am so impressed every time I pay you a visit, not the least of which is the photography, I am a mermaid at heart. Be well and of good cheer.

Always Carly :)

http://journals.aol.com/ondinemonet/Ellipsis

Anonymous said...

You have to admire a man like that.  I do.

Monica
http://journals.aol.com/photographybymon/Mamarazzi/
http://journals.aol.com/sonensmilinmon/SmilinMonsAdventures/

Anonymous said...

Hats off to Dan and to you for sharing this story.  I admire people who haven't allowed life or other people to prevent them from living their dream. I'm sure Dan's journey went just fine. Take care of yourself and thank you for stopping by my journal. *Barb* http://journals.aol.com/barbpinion/HEYLETSTALK

Anonymous said...

Great entry...lovely journal.  Thanks so much for visiting my journal!

http://journals.aol.com/karensull12/Therantingsofasecretwildwoman

Anonymous said...

HI, I JUST FOUND YOUR JOURNAL THROUGH A COMMENT ON SOMEONE ELSE'S JOURNAL. I REALLY HAD A NICE TIME VISITNG. I HAVE LIVED ON THE WATER ALL MY LIFE. NOT THE OCEAN BUT RIVERS AND NOW A LAKE. I WILL BE BACK TO VISIT NOW THAT I HAVE FOUND YOU. I HAVE A RANCH AND LOTS OF FUN THINGS ARE ALWAYS HAPPENING WITH MY ANIMALS AND CASINO JOB SO COME ON OVER FOR A VISIT. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PICS AND JOURNAL.
http://journals.aol.com/judypearllove/ToBlessedToBeStressed/
AND HERE IS ANOTHER JOURNAL I HOPE YOU HAVE FUN VISITING

Anonymous said...

Good luck to Dan!
*** Coy ***


http://journals.aol.com/coy1234787/Dancingintherain

Anonymous said...

((((((((((Osiyo Sam)))))))))))..........I really admire this man (Dan)...and I pray he has a safe journey and calm waters...I also admire you my friend for your writings.........always a pleasure to read them.........I now have you on my list of favorite journals..........take care Sam and smooth sailing always dohiya

.· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:-Tanena-:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

Anonymous said...

I can concur with you on this one. Takes some special qualities to face down the ocean, but in a responsible, rather than reckless fashion. Kudos to Dan!

Anonymous said...

I love your journal.  :)  I miss the ocean at times, and reading your journal sharpens that emotion, but it is a good thing.  :)

I posted a quotation just yesterday in my own journal that I think fits Dan:

"We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let these dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true."
                                                                    ~Woodrow Wilson

Isn't it wonderful to have a dream, and watch it grow into something more? :)
~Dawn
http://journals.aol.com/auburndawn/littlepassions

Anonymous said...

Wow! I would've been scared! i love boats & the ocean ,but I am strictly a fair-weather sailor!
Marti
http://journals.aol.com/sunnyside46/MidlifeMusings