In mourning

Drape the room in black bunting. Weep and moan. Cal 20 #1220 came out of the water to live ashore for the next 8 mo. The weather was great--sunny, warmer than expected, light wind. Is that a blessing or a curse? Other lucky folks were out sailing. On the other hand, I've hauled the boat in the wind & rain and it is no fun at all. Today was a new experience because it was via the travel hoist here. Years ago I had marked what I remembered as sling positions on the sheerline with little diamonds of tape. It turns out those were not sling positions--they were trailer bunk positions, places NOT to put the slings. The problem was easily corrected. We're having a schooner festival this weekend. The three local schooners are here (/Madeline, Manitou, Inland Seas/), plus the /Denis Sullivan/ from Wisconsin, a three-masted vessel. The replica 19th century sloop /Welcome/ from South Haven, MI was supposed to be here but had difficulties en route and cancelled. We have a local wooden gaff sloop now used as a training vessel that will be in the show too. If you're in Michigan and want to see some gaff-riggers, come on up to Traverse City. Chris Campbell