On Tue, 01 Nov 2005 09:13:35 -0800, Stephen Trapani
wrote:

The boating culture and increased opportunity to meet people is a
biggie. There's something about boating that encourages camraderie and
leads people to be friendly, like when they have both traveled from a
distance and find themselves sharing the same piece of adventure. Also
there's a healthy chunk of the "live it up" mentality among boaters,
which is loads of fun if one doesn't overdo it.

I couldn't agree more.
In our present harbour we've met a lot of likeminded people. Also
quite a few of mostly guys come up for a chat when I'm working
outside. A popular subject is "how did you get your wife to agree" ...
In my case my wife is a daugther of a commercial freight captain.
Together with his wife he travelled on the rivers to Germany, Belgium
etc. In fact it was her idea to switch from house to boat.
When I mention this I once again feel how lucky I am...

Another feature of boating to love is harder to describe. It has to do
with the smell of the water, the feel of floating instead of being stuck
to the ground, the forces of nature have you, but they don't, you
partner with them for your ends. But not just that, it's always ancient
and brand new, a part of your history and future and the same time,
deeply familiar yet always strange.

Another "bulls eye" and put to words beautifully. The moments we
cherish most are calm nights at sea with or close to new moon, looking
at bright stars and increase feel for relativity, awaking in an
anchorage, scanning the place in the early morningmist, following
birds with binoculars,etc.
A close encounter with a whale when underway would be impressive too
I'm sure. I guess it has to do with (re-)connecting with nature.

Len
S/v Present