Let's Sail Away....

In cleaning out files on Dad's computer- I discovered a note- where he reflected on the ups and downs of owning a boat.   Like many things- the flow of this story is disjointed-the timeline seems off-

Yet the reflection adds some details that I never knew about.   For example- I never knew dad got stuck on the Mississippi River...or how the story ends with "the happiest day of my wife's life was when the boat was hauled away".   

Apparently- mom had an amazing poker face in that regard...because I don't seem to recall my mom ever verbally expressing frustration related to the boat.

For my memories- and probably those of my sister's- are that the boat provided us with a chance to get out and play on the lakes in our community near Waukesha, WI.   We learned to water ski, we had fun with friends.    Sure, a few hours of fun took all day to accomplish...but isn't that the reality of a lot of life's hobbies?  

Anyway, back to dad's note...It reads...

Oh my, the memories.   I had a 16 foot Thompson Lap Boat in the 1960s with an Evinrude V4. 

Thanks- Google Photos- this is a clear image of what our boat looked like..

Our two daughters learned to water skin on Lake Pewaukee along with many of the neighbor friends.   After several years of trailer tires, tanks of gas, and fun on the waters on local lakes, a friend and I were on the Mississippi River, up stream from the dam at Trempealeau 

Not sure who's hiney that is- but the back of the picture indicates these are family friends

 The Bantas helping load the boat back onto the trailer.  

We had put in at Perrot State park, the engine quit and regardless of repeated attempts, could not get a restart.  We manage to drift to an island by grabbing at willow branches and held on until rescued by another boater with a Mercury.   

that's Martha, and her friend Annette- not sure who the other passenger is..sort of looks like Cousin Sarah 

After some good joshing about brand loyalty, we loaded and trailered back to Waukesha.   The boat sat by the garage for at least year and I discovered some dry rot.   I thought I could replace the cancerous planking but never got around to it.   A retired gent came by who had more interest in wood working than I and offered to buy the boat as a project.   I disclosed that the engine needed work and he stated that was not a concern.   

The boat had served its purpose in our family life and seeing it go down Cambridge Avenue was the happiest day of my wife's life.   

That would mark the end of the ownership of a motorboat for our family- but it did not mark the end of my dad's love for being out on the water.   

 Over the years he would dabble in a variety of ways to experience adventure from the water. 

There would be an  Alaskan cruise

a boat ride through the Amazon of South America, 

even a wine cruise down the Rhine River.

to name just a few of the countless adventures he enjoyed on the water..

But more than just  seeing the world from a seat on the boat, 

Dad enjoyed being the captain of water based experiences

From renting a pontoon boat to entertain the visiting grandchildren, 

to buying a sail boat in Norway

Ever mindful of getting the biggest bang for his buck, 

his research showed that it was cheaper to buy a sailboat in Norway than rent one for a week.

what would have been a week long adventure, 

ended up providing him with over a decade of fun trips back to Norway- 

since you know, that's where HIS boat was stored.  

From  cruising the Mississippi in a houseboat with friends...

to riding the rapids of the Flathead River in Glacier with a grandchild...

Dad found great joy in helping friends and family enjoy water based fun!

There was a week at a house on Lake Bennett

complete with a boat tour along the mail route of Lake Geneva..

a Pandemic-staycation...

where he no longer needed to be in the driver's seat to still find joy

and while the sunset may have set...

It is important to remember..

Just how much joy Richard found 

being out on the water...

Until next time..

Let your memories set sail!