I’m sometimes asked, “What’s it like to sail in big winds?” Adventurous, but the winds come and go. On this day, big winds for days suddenly calmed by the time Debbie Kremer of Arizona brought her beau Bob Wickley of San Antonio to sail the York River. We quietly tacked back and forth near Yorktown and got under the Coleman Bridge before mild winds clocked northwest and picked up sharply.
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For someone who had never been on a sailboat before, much less sailed one, Debbie did magnificently on the helm. Eventually she yielded to Bob, who adroitly spilled wind to keep the boat righted. The couple travels extensively. They’ve been to Costa Rica most recently, as well as St. Petersburg in Russia, Thailand, Burma and Vietnam. He’s the first Vietnam vet I’ve met who went back there on vacation. It’s not for me.
Debbie is a retired OR nurse who obviously thrives under pressure. Bob said, “You should tell him about Anasazi,” so she did.
“Anasazi is a foundation in Arizona named for an Indian tribe. They run a wilderness camp for troubled teens. In fact, I’ve had one fellow who came in at 32 years old. They can volunteer or come through the courts to spend 42 days in the camp, where they learn survival training. We give them a tarp, for example, and they figure out how to make it into a tent.
“Occasionally we get a runner, someone who thinks they can get back to civilization. But we’re way out in the desert, so they have to learn how to find food in the desert. We have a trail-walker watching from far away to make sure they’re okay. The kids usually come back the same day or the next day.
“I tell you, kids today are bombarded with too much stimulation and information. They learn too early about drinking, drugs and sex. They’re just not ready.”
In the distance upriver I could hear a dull roar. Two miles away a US Navy hovercraft was bearing down on us from the other side of the Coleman Bridge. As it passed through Bob took numerous shots; he’s a professional photographer. The LCAC or Landing Craft Air Cushion is based at Littlecreek Amphib Base in Virginia Beach. It can do 30 knots. I tried to raise them on radio but the racket of the two giant boat fans drowned me out. See the video below for an actual landing.
Update: The Navy will update the hovercraft with a Ship to Shore Connector, which lacks a zippy description. They will be easier to build and use more powerful engines. From Popular Mechanics, Oct 22, 2109: “The U.S. Navy will test its next generation transport hovercraft. Designed to ferry Marine Corps vehicles, supplies, and other equipment to shore in a hurry, the Ship to Shore Connector (SSC) will replace older Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft. SSCs can travel at speeds of 35 knots while carrying M1A1 Abrams tanks.”
Back to Anasazi. The website describes the mission as “wilderness therapy via a unique, bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach that gently invited a change of heart.”
“I put my own kids through it,” Debbie said, “but for a different purpose—for security reasons. “We got into a situation where a dangerous Mexican gang was threatening our family and came to our home. I got the kids out and put them on The Trail, as we call Anasazi. They were out there for 42 days. Eventually the authorities arrested some of the gang members.”
Given that, 20 mph winds heeling the boat to 20 degrees was hardly scary. I sent them up to the bow to enjoy a little privacy. They were celebrating Bob’s 70th birthday.
Let’s Go Sail
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Let’s go sail the York River, where couples enjoy a serene three hours. Find happiness and health outdoors near Williamsburg with exciting fun on an anniversary or birthday. Great memories! Learn navigation to become a sailor. See birds, dolphins, maybe a Navy submarine. Bring your dog too.
Let’s go on a romantic sail. Sit up on the bow for privacy. First-timers or skilled mariners can learn to sail fast on a cruise Near Williamsburg VA. They get to sail a modern 32-foot sailboat in a unique setting of wildlife and Spring foliage. Professional photos for free. Enjoy a romantic getaway. Sail the warm breezes of Spring and Summer. A unique and intriguing event, as well as an extraordinary anniversary idea.
