Summer Adventures
Memories for a Lifetime
Hello my Foodie Friends!
This week I will continue with Part III of my incredible summer adventure that I have shared for the past two weeks. Last week I left off that I had been recruited to help “crew” the sailing of a 50-foot motor yacht (named The Graduate) from West Palm Beach Florida to Narragansett Rhode Island. During my flight down to West Palm Beach along with the rest of the “crew”, I quickly realized this might be the adventure of a lifetime. From the moment I stepped off the plane, and we stepped onto the boat “The Graduate”, the true sailing experts (crew) treated me like they had known me forever. They started right away teaching me how to tie and untie the boat from the dock. Long sessions included hours of learning how to tie different knots, where the engine filters were on the engines and how to change them. The engine filters were being changed almost hourly in the beginning because of so much sludge in the engines from sitting and limited use for 20 years. It wasn’t much but I felt like I was helping. This was the first time I heard the phrase “Break Out Another Thousand” or BOAT. The boat truly was becoming a BOAT in that Ron was spending so much money every day to get this boat to Rhode Island. We had many breakdowns where both engines would fail, and we would be just drifting down the intercoastal. Now don’t get me wrong, drifting down the intercoastal is as close to heaven as you can get with Dolphins and Manatees swimming alongside you and the views of beautiful wildlife. Each time the engines failed, we would limp into a port for repairs. During this excursion, it was also the first time I had the fish grouper fresh out of the ocean. As we would feast on fresh seafood each evening, we all shared watching beautiful sunsets together and listening to the great stories from the retired coast guard guys. Every 100 miles or so the captain would take us out of the intercostal to test the boat in the big ocean. During one of our ventures out into the ocean, we encountered very bad weather and huge waves crashed over our decks. The boat really rocked to and fro, which shook the engines and worked up the sludge from the bottom of the tanks. I had never encountered this and was very nervous. The captain had me stay in the engine room and continually change filters, but it was too much and again the engines failed. However, this was the Atlantic Ocean not the intercostal. I was worried, but the other crew who had been men of the coast guard, acted like they had found the fountain of youth and went into action. My bunk mate Jim started telling jokes and singing. He even started singing “the weather started getting rough and the tiny ship was tossed, if not for the courage of the fearless crew the Graduate would be lost!” We all joined in. The captain got on the radio contacting the shore to send a tugboat to bring us to safety. This was a very expensive layover for Ron. It was Memorial Day weekend and hard to find boat mechanics. Ron’s wise decision to invite three important retirees from the coast guard helped make everything happen. After our layover with boat repairs, the food and drink was had by all and Lady Luck was on our side after a three-day layover. We now went back to the intercostal where sailing was easier. Though we had to be very careful with areas that were shallow which caused rudder and propeller damage. We got up through the Intercoastal up until Myrtle Beach because that was when my brother contacted me and reminded me that I was a member of his wedding party and had to come home immediately. I begged him to free me of my commitment but to no avail. This was my adventure of a lifetime and there was still another week or two left to the journey. With tears in my eyes, I said goodbye to the crew and Ron and boarded a bus for Connecticut. Another long journey for another day. I know it’s selfish but 25 years later when my brother got divorced all I could think of was that boat. Well at least we had Paris, here’s looking at you Ron and Deedy. Thank you for an adventure of a lifetime.
This summer, create those lifelong memories. They may be filled with adventures that are unexpected. Roll with it and have fun. Adventure is more than just a journey – it’s a way of life. Whether you’re exploring new destinations, or chasing unforgettable experiences, hold close to the times you have with your family and friends. This summer, make some seafood meals to remind you of the ocean and those precious memories you have made with friends and family. In my mind, I am dreaming of “driving the boat”! Unfortunately, Ron is no longer with us to share and laugh at these stories. However, they are memories that I hold dear in my heart every day. Here’s to you Ron. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place for the accoutrements for summer adventure meals. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen” with good times, friends, and great food (gathering safely).
Take Care, John & Paula
