Over the course of two sails one Sunday, ten people got up close and personal with a US Navy secret submarine docked at the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station.
Among those who took an interest was Marta Khomchanka, a native Ukranian taking her mother and younger sister sailing on the York. Russian subs occupy Crimia in the former Ukraine.
“I left the country in 2020, before the war,” Marta said. “Eventually I joined the US Army, and later my mother and Yulia followed to this country. I lived in Yorktown and never knew you offered this service. Now that I am out of the Army I work in logistics in the DLA at Richmond.
“My husband sells European windows. They are different from American windows in that they are made of aluminum.” She wasn’t sure about how the tariffs would play out, but she was sure about the guy who started them.
“We are familiar with Belarus, where the premier is just like Putin. Putin put him in there and he does what he is told. And now there is Trump.” We sailed along in silence, contemplating a world like that despite such a beautiful day. Her sister Yulia helmed magnificently, albeit stoically, almost the entire three hours.
Topping Off
As seen from the York River, a crane gently positions the cupola atop the new Yorktown Welcome Center at Riverwalk Landing.
Cruise Ship
I noticed that the USS American Independence weighed anchor at Yorktown, so I radioed her intentions so that we would stay out of her way. She was bound for St. Michaels MD, which raised a question of where she would dock. St. Michaels is very small and has no port facilities, so she will probably moor offshore in the Wye River.
Lively Crew
Among six people for a morning cruise in light winds, we had four retired women with fascinating careers: surgery, psychoanalysis, police detective, county coroner. No one wanted to talk much about their work, but we did trade jokes. Here’s one from the surgeon, Deborah Fabian:
Jesus and Moses went out to play golf. Moses hit his tee shot long and straight down the fairway. Jesus hit his straight as well, but an eagle swooped down and snared the ball in his mouth. As he got near a tree, a squirrel attacked and the ball fell to the ground, where it rolled right into the cup. Moses sighed and rolled his eyes. “Are we going to fuck around again, or can we just play golf!”
It turns out that Deb was once David, and was/is married to Leslie Fabian, who was celebrating her 76th birthday with the sail on the York River. Deb wrote a book about their journey called “My Husband’s a Woman Now.” From Amazon, here’s the blurb:
Nothing is more certain in life than change, and this change is bigger than most. In 2009, Leslie Fabian’s husband, David-an orthopedic surgeon who’d been privately cross-dressing for most of his life-realized that brief forays into the world as Deborah would never be enough. This came as no surprise to Leslie. For two decades, cross-dressing had been a part of their lives; but she had witnessed her spouse’s devastation each time he returned to his male persona. Once David finally realized he was “more than just a cross-dresser,” Leslie encouraged him to become Deborah. My Husband’s a Woman Now is the personal, heartfelt tale of a wife supporting her mate’s transition to female, while grieving the loss of her male partner. It’s a love story, abounding with tales of the Fabians’ challenges, changes, and ultimate triumph over the radical upheaval of their lives…by their own choice. This story can and will inspire you, whether you’re transgender, gay, straight-or anything in-between.
From Deb’s website, here is one of many reviews:
-
Brave, self-examining, instructive, generous, as transparent as is possible to be about the soul and the complexity of relationship– intimate, familial, spiritual, professional, My Husband’s a Woman Now: A Shared Journey of Transition and Love by Leslie Hilburn Fabian explores heterosexuality and trans-sexuality, a dimension of the human condition unknown to many of us, but superficially and mostly through the sensationalism of mass media. I couldn’t put the book down. I’m grateful to have read it. I pray for Leslie and Deborah’s, ne David, enriched connection and blessing in their continuing marriage or whatever unfolds for them. Their witness and advocacy, call it ministry, for the dignity of trans-sexuality holds an important place in public discourse.
Scouting Sailors
A Northern Virginia couple went sailing to see what’s entailed for a Scouting merit badge. Olivia and David Martin of Gainesville have two girls, one of whom is deep into Scouting.
“The Boy Scouts are now called Scouting USA, to include girls,” Olivia said. “The Girl Scouts are still Girl Scouts. People think that they do crafts, but that’s a reflection on the leadership. We do largely outdoor adventures, from rappelling to wilderness survival on 10-day hikes.”
Having signed off on the sailing merit badge in the past, I asked how many there are. “I think 139,” she said. Jim added, “Wait. They just added another one for participating in multi-sports of swimming, running and bicycling. Like the triathlon.”
Olivia rattled off some of the arcane merit badges: “Music, Bugling, Architecture, Backpacking, Cooking, Engineering, Fire Safety, Fishing, Gardening, Oceanography, Dentistry, Fingerprint, Trucking and Geocaching. But I don’t think they actually become a dentist. We do have one boy who wants to attempt all 139 badges.”
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.
Let’s Go Sail Sub Sighted
Check the “Book A Cruise” tab 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.
secret sub sighted secret sub sighted secret sub sighted secret sub sighted secret sub sighted sub sighted
York River Sailboat Tour / An unforgettable Boat Tour / Ideal for Couples
Join us for a sailboat tour on the York River. Register online today. Choose from 6 unique sailing charters: Adventure, Lessons, History and more.
Charter Sailing for Everyone / Couples Sailing for Romance / Go Sailing Near Me / Let’s Go Sail Fast / Amazing Family Sail / York River Sailing Charters / See Openings at Website under Book A Cruise / Boat Tours Near Williamsburg / Couples Sail on Anniversary / Amenities: 3-Hour Sail, Dog Friendly (no cats!), Perfect for Couples, Low Rates for 10 Years.
