Navy Sailors

For the second time in two weeks, we saw Navy sailors on two big ships in one day. Actually, one hour. The USS Philippine Sea exited Yorktown Naval Weapons Station and was followed a half-hour later by the USS Mason entering the river toward NWS. Cindy Jarboe and Frank Wood got to show their Middle East friends a view of American Naval power.

Navy Sailors

Navy SailorsSure enough, after the Philippine Sea cleared the Coleman Bridge, it got jammed at the closing. It took ten minutes or so to fix it. By then, in the distance we could see the two ships passing in the York Channel. Very impressive.

In each case, I radioed the bridge of the Navy ship of my intentions, namely to stay on the north side of the York River to given them plenty of leeway. They acknowledged and appreciated the call.

Navy Sailors

Navy Sailors

Safer Sailing

Among three couples in the afternoon, Ariel & Rhemi Huckabay had recently moved to Alexandria VA, where he works as a contractor in cybersecurity. I was curious if we should pay ransom to a cyber attacker.

Sailing Safely“It depends,” he said. “If you know that it’s coming from Iran, Russia or North Korea, then no — because it’s illegal. Otherwise, yes if the consequence of the attack and the fine is going to be worse if you don’t. If it prevents you from going out of business and you can pay it, then yes.

“Small companies are more vulnerable because they generally don’t have good cybersecurity. They don’t change their passwords, or they don’t use difficult passwords, for example. Or they don’t have two-step verification processes like big companies.”

Summer SailBut won’t they attack again if we pay? “Oddly no, because they want to be taken seriously. They have employees and a business to run, albeit illegal.” So, there’s honor among thieves? “Yes!”

That seemed depressing, but suddenly a pod of dolphins surfaced to change the subject. We sailed on blissfully.

Sailing Metaphors

  • Navigating within oneself: Sailing represents creating conditions that stimulate cooperation, meditation, creativity, and integration between intuitive and logical functions.

    Sailing Metaphors

  • Adjusting the sails: Just as in life, we cannot control external factors, but we can adapt and persevere.

  • Being aware and mindful: Sailing requires paying attention to trim, handling, changing wind, and sea, similar to being mindful in life.

  • Resilience and adaptability: Dealing with the uncertainties of life, like the constantly changing wind, requires resilience and adaptability.

Women enjoy sailing today more than ever, and particularly a romantic cruise. Couples get to enjoy a romantic getaway as they sit up on the bow for privacy, and Let’s Go Sail provides professional photos for free.

First-time or skilled mariners are welcome to sail a modern-32-foot sailboat in a unique setting of wildlife and Fall foliage or Spring bloom. It makes for an extraordinary anniversary idea.

Mooring TiltedMooring Tilted

One of the moorings off the coast of Yorktown is tilting sideways, such that the cross for bowlines is inaccessible. That will make it hard to snare the line onto the cross, which is already hard enough if not dangerous. I reported it to Riverwalk Landing. The photo shows a cormorant resting on the cross. The ball may be taking on water, much like R-24 earlier this month. There’s always something.

Three days later, I reported it by radio to Riverwalk Landing. I explained how the cross is tilted so far over as to allow loon to stand on it. The dockmaster replied, “Yeah, must have a heavy leg. Actually, they’re getting ready to take out all the moorings,” presumably for failure to use. Now that’s news.

Small Sailor

Small Sailor

Gerry and Allison Mulvey of Williamsburg and San Antonio TX returned for their third annual sail. Winds were light, so we motored upriver to NWS to see two Navy warships unloading weapons.

Gerry now refers to Deadline as “my other sailboat” since he regularly operates a remote-controlled version.

“They cost up to $600 and they work great,” he said. “Well,” Allie cautioned, “the one I gave you was$150.”

Small SailorGerry: “It comes in a box and takes two weeks to assemble because there are so many parts. It operates on four Double A batteries, and I have a charging device that can remotely tell when it’s running low and needs to charge.

“It’s 3 feet long with a 2-foot keel. The remote operates the sails and the rudder, but no engine. Our sailing club in Ford’s Colony has 12 members, and we use the pond that you see when driving into the place.”

Small SailorIt goes without saying that Gerry is an adroit helmsman, so as the winds picked up we tacked downriver and flew the spinnaker to return. It was glorious, everyone agreed.

Riverwalk Landing

All summer long, a large work barge has come and gone to repair the docks at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown, some 30 years old. It’s an imposing sight and makes landing a boat there precarious. They have to dock inside the pier inside of outside, including the tourist ship Alliance II.

Riverwalk Landing

Navy SailorsNavy Sailors II

Just a few days after coming into NWS, the USS Carney shipped out to sea on a warm summer morning.

Navy Sailors IIDr. Mo Morgan and his wife Danielle got to see the action up front, on the bow, to celebrate her birthday. Once again, the Coleman Bridge got stuck upon closure. But this time it was only for a few minutes instead of ten. That story is still a mystery.

Navy Sailors II

Burn Sailor

A couple of medics from Raleigh NC joined a family at the last minute to sail in a light afternoon breeze. Megan Skelton and her beau gained experience sailing in San Diego Bay, and they sought to refresh their skills.

Burn SailorsMegan is a PA who trained at George Washington University Hospital and is now at UNC Chapel Hill. “I trained in the burn unit in metro Washington, so I got a lot of exposure,” she said between helms.

What does she see? “All kinds of burns — from house fires, cars, chemicals, explosions, you name it. Bonfires are big because people throw aerosol cans on them. Don’t do that. And fireworks! We can always guarantee an uptick in the ER around the Fourth of July.”

Last Swim

Last Swim

Olumide and Jeannette Cole of suburban Philadelphia PA took their four adorable sons sailing. Then they took what will probably be the last swim of the season. I don’t do well with young children, particularly boys, but these kids were terrific: well-behaved, curious, attentive.

Let’s Go Sail

Check Couples and Family rates and pick a day for a sailboat charter. Scroll down reviews on Trip Advisor. Go back to the home page of Williamsburg Charter Sails.   

The best Williamsburg boat tour offers safe sailing daily for up to 6 people. It’s an extraordinary experience for couples. Leave your worries behind. Enjoy the thrill of moving with the wind without a care in the world.

Put life back on an even keel with a romantic experience for a birthday or anniversary. 3-hour sailboat cruise as a semi-private yachting charter lets you exhale and relax as you enjoy comfort, stability and speed.

navy sailors navy sailors navy sailors

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