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August 03, 2008
Poor Jim
Jim arrived from Toronto mid-day Friday. It was a long weekend in Canada, and Luc was on a business trip in Vancouver. Jim would have been alone in Toronto, without Luc. What better way to enjoy a long weekend than join us for a sail on Long Island Sound? Poor Jim.
We wandered down to Union Square, grabbed a late lunch at Coffee Shop, and strolled through the farmers’ market. We planned to sail to Port Jefferson on Long Island for Saturday night, but the weather was looking a bit dubious. We hummed, hawed, had another drink, then decided to head for the train to Stamford.
I called Chis, who said he could likely, maybe make a 6:30 train. Jim and I made our way to Grand Central, then called Chis again. Okay, maybe I can make 6:45. Jim and I crashed into Cipriani (aren’t they bankrupt or something) and ordered beer. Chis arrived shortly after and off we went on the train.
We woke in the morning to darkening skies. After several thunderstorms, a weather analysis with ‘Sirena’ neighbour Steve, and it looked like we could get out around 11. We started the engine, made final preparations for our de-dockage, and the line of storms that looked like it was tracking northeast, decided to track directly in our path. Nothing makes my heart pound deeper than lightening on a sailboat – I mean, on the water, the tallest thing for miles?
We waited out the weather.
By 3, it seemed to be clearing. The National Weather Service called off the severe thunderstorm warning. We left Stamford for Port Jefferson.
We weren’t able to sail much on the four-hour journey. Around 5pm, we finally picked up some nice wind and sailed. We picked up a mooring in Port Jefferson, and went ashore for dinner at Pace’s Steakhouse. The evening was clear and warm, so we decided to sit outside under the trees next to the pond.
On Sunday, after brunch in Port Jefferson, we headed back to Stamford. By noon, we had increasing southerly winds. Soon, the wind was on the nose, forcing us to tack upwind, increasing the distance of our journey. We reefed the genoa and we were well heeled. Despite the exhilarating sail, I snapped this photo of Jim - sound asleep.
Poor Jim.
Posted by dave at August 3, 2008 03:48 PM