A day on the Barcarole
I don’t know anyone who loves sailing more than my friend Patrick. So when he invited me to spend a day on his sailboat with our mutual friend Andrew, all I needed was a time, a slip number, and an assurance that the vessel was structurally sound.
As I boarded, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d seen Andrew’s video from his and Patrick’s last adventure … so I was fully prepared to turn turtle. Alas, today we had little wind.
I didn’t care, though. I enjoyed watching Andrew play with his new camera. (He shoots even more than I do!)
And I enjoyed getting lessons in tying effective knots. (Sadly, the only one I can remember is a noose.)
But I *loved* being out on the open water with my friends …
… and I loved that we took turns steering.
But maybe my favorite moment was getting two grown men to pinkie-swear that what was said on the boat would stay on the boat.
I wish we could have stayed on Lake Pepin until sunset, but we were all in need of a good meal. So Andrew made ready for port as Patrick trimmed and stowed the sails.
Before I knew it, we were back in the slip and among the other boats.
In hindsight, I wish I’d shot more photos … but I was having too much fun. Thanks for an absolutely splendid day, guys!
Filed under: Friends and family, Minnesota, Travel | 8 Comments
Tags: Lake City, Lake City marina, Lake Pepin, Minnesota, Mississippi River, postaday2011, sailing
This sounds like a delightful day. The skies are so blue, the water so calming and you got them to pinkie swear? Way to go, Heather!
The pinkie swear was the icing on a cake of a perfect day.
Even without much wind, this looks the most heavenly day. I can almost smell the water. That’s the kind of day to store up in your memory treasure box and to bring out again when you need a little lift. I’m glad you had it.
I guarantee that I’ll be looking at these photos in January or February, when I need a reminder that my world won’t always be a white, barren, frozen wasteland.
Wish I could send a little of this sunshine your way, though …
A wonderful day … with wonderful friends.
Thanks for sharing.
I’m lucky to have such wonderful friends. The fact that one of them owns a boat is just gravy, as we say here. Thanks so much for reading!
What a wonderful entry! I traveled vicariously with you to Lake City and on Lake Pepin! So glad you had this day, and that you wrote about it.
I thought of you the whole time … I will forever associate you with Lake City and Old Frontenac — and MORELS!!! What I didn’t mention in my post was our post-sailing bite at Nosh. It was as tasty as ever, although I looked *far* less respectable than on our last visit. Grin.