Reflections on the stayOct 20, 2009
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Three Notch
Amelia/Carson
Bill/Dad
After an extended stay at the Solomons condo, the time is approaching when we will again slip the lines and head south. But first a quick review of the intervening seven months since we last enjoyed the freedom of a cruising lifestyle.
The Spring at Oyster Bay brought on lots of social activities from potlucks to barbecues to dock working parties which were spontaneous and fun to be a part of. Visitors arrived for short stays at this cruising crossroads and the path up the road to Arlington became well worn as we renewed our acquaintance with the grandbabies. Carson had the lead for that generation and Amelia, our only grand-daughter followed in grand style. Next came twins, Beckett and Dylan to make Lee and Wende's days a little more tumultuous. By early July, young Will brought the group to five...all under the age of two. Jean was in demand for sitting duty and would return to Solomons for rest. Bill stayed busy with the theater, wood shop and dock projects.
Summer passed quickly and the pool provided some relief from the heat and humidity. In June we passed the 45th anniversary mark and headed off to Connecticut for a Van Wagenen family reunion and side trip to Kim's in New Hampshire. In August, Kim visited and helped us plant the oysters that had been hatching under our docks over the past year. This is a big project that is set on cleaning up the local waters and renewing the native oyster beds.
As Fall came on, the weekly Navy football games fit neatly into our schedule with attendant tailgates with Jerry and Lana Negin. The USNA 1964 class reunion was a classy affair with a chance to see friends from "back in the day". Young Bill joined the old man for the annual Seagull Century bike race in early October. Kim and David had a perfect wedding among the blazing color of a classic New England Fall. It was good to see Alex and Paul, college students at Colombia and RPI, respectively.
And that brings us up to the month of November when the boat will begin to get her turn. With just one remaining obligation, Thanksgiving dinner, we should be ready to shove off right after the turkey is finished.
