Escape
down below – they’ll never find me!
July 23, 2026
Last Sunday was an unusual day. The weather forecast was iffy and had been unstable for days due to a heat wave stacked with an air quality alert so I had no guests invited and no particular plans to be on the water. Then, when the day turned out pretty gorgeous, I was slightly at loose ends.
As I don’t have to tell you there always something that needs doing on the boat so I headed down to drain and fill the water tank that was smelling a little funky, confident that more projects would turn up. But oddly, besides re-tying my fender hooks, everything was pretty ship shape. On the dock, there was hardly anyone about on their boats – I guess all major plans had been scrapped.
Surprisingly, well maybe no surprise, the lack of tasks and the quiet on the dock was extremely welcome. I normally thrive on the hubbub and chatter of dockmates and their families, but the nothingness of the moment suited me. Sitting in the warm cabin, alone, the noise of the news, horns, Trump tariffs, wildfires and assorted other mayhem was gone.
I spent maybe an hour soaking it in. Peace, quiet, and the unplanned, private friendship of a fine boat.
John Morris, Online Editor
