Andy Gagnon was my guest on Splendido yesterday, and it was a very light-air day for the most part. Thankfully, Blackwood Canyon fired up with some pretty good breezes around 6 p.m., so we actually got to feel the boat stretch out a bit and almost get to six knots top speed. Andy had sailed a bit in his youth, so getting back out on the water has been a goal of his for a while. He did a great job of being helmsman for the majority of the trip, and so I relaxed and kept the refreshments coming. Debbie’s catering team had laid in some wonderful chicken wraps for us, and I stocked up on my favorite sailing drink: Old Milwaukeee N/A (because who needs the sugar in soft drinks?). We turned around just off Obexer’s and made a bee-line back as the winds began to die. The last 1/2 mile, we motored in as darkness started to settle in over the lake around 8:15 p.m. There’s a hint of fall in the air these days, especially in the evenings, when it gets a tad chilly motoring back. I’ll do my best to get as many sailing days as possible in the remaining weeks of summer, and Andy says he’ll be happy to join.

Fair winds and smooth sailing. DB