Scott:
I am a sailor. Okay, perhaps I can expand on that a little. I am unsure how it happened. I just woke up one morning with the urge to sail. It is an unquenchable thirst and that is all I have discovered so far that I am certain about. I have spent my entire life camping, fishing, hiking, jumping, riding, falling, climbing, and going as fast as I can. If I would have even had a clue that I was going to live this long, I would have taken a lot better care of myself. Ha ha!! Not really, I just would have done more of those same things that are important to me with the people who are important to me.
What I remember from my childhood is fishing on the shores of the Missouri River with Dad, sleeping in a tent while deer hunting a few miles out of Hill City, South Dakota in the Black Hills in the dead of winter only to wake and find two feet of newly fallen snow, and canoeing our way though Manitoba to Ontario in a trip where we really had no clue what actually awaited us. We paddled in the kind of wind and waves that drive many fishermen riding in eighteen foot Lunds into shelter. I know my sons will remember similar things as we have camped in some pretty strange places. Watching the survival shows, we often comment about them doing the same kind of camping that we do. Except of course, we are wise enough to bring food so we ain’t eating any bugs.
We were always looking to find less people and I am still that way. I suppose that is part of what is appealing to me about sailing. I was told once that sailing is like driving through North Dakota but less exciting. I could not disagree more. It is an art and a passion. I do agree that it is not for everyone. I learn more and more every time I go out.
“A sailboat navigates through its world of wind and water leaving not a single trace of its passage. Nothing is consumed. Nothing is altered. The water and the winds are left in exactly the same condition for the next user. Sailing is forever.” Michael B. McPhee – Sailing A Celebration Of The Sport And The World’s Best Places To Enjoy it.
Stitch:
I have never sailed in my life so when I was asked to contribute here, I assumed it was because of my good looks but was later told this is not the case and the blog was not just about sailing.
I was a late bloomer and now, Mr. Mom. My wife has a great job that she likes and I am raising our 2 boys while she is bringing home the bacon. She is a saint no doubt to put up with me. I am a little on the old side for a guy with two boys ages, six and eight but they are a treat.
I am slightly demented from my attempt to exasperate the entire planet since the age of 3. I am frequently told that I have far too much time on my hands as the hunting seasons have passed and we are now awaiting the good fishing to start. The house is still clean, the boys are in school, the dishes are done and my laundry is not piling up. I would have married this girl years ago but she was still in Junior High and I had enough problems without looking for another.
This is the easiest job I have ever had and I can hunt and fish whenever I feel like it. I prefer to take the boys but will not hesitate to venture out alone. I used to be a Wildlife Biologist but with cuts being made nearly everywhere over the last 10 years, I found that I was right on the edge of the cut line. I took the cut, took the money and I bailed out with a partial pension. I have not looked back since. I did move just a bit south as it is entirely possible that I am still wanted in Montana. Who knew 240 some odd buffalo could do so much damage to three or four city blocks? Then there was that thing in Idaho too with the loggers. Tough bastards they were but their little campers sure were no match for a front end loader. Thus the reason for showing my good side in the picture. Being in between the hunting and the fishing right always get me to reminiscing of my childhood days and as soon as spring is here, I will get serious.