September, a Time for Stocking Up On Sailing Vitamins

The other day we ate lunch outside in the sun and all agreed it was one of the nicest days ever. I think that’s because in September we never know how long the late summer sun will linger. We enjoy each warm bright day with extra pleasure, because it might be the last time we can wear sneakers with no socks, or a short-sleeve shirt outside. Knowing winter is just around the corner seems to make the sun brighter.

The same thing goes for fall sails. Each time I rig my Dark Harbor 17, Frolic, and take her out into the bay, I savor the gurgle of water along the hull, the gentle shaking of the wind in the sails, and the creak of the spars as though I am hearing them for the last time in a very long while. Perhaps if I breathe in really deeply I can pull into my head and heart the color of the deep blue sky, dark green mountains, rippling ocean, and the dusky pink glow of my sails filtering the sunlight. If I’m lucky they will stay there long enough to sustain me through the cold months of winter — like special sailing vitamins.

The other day as the sun reflected on the bay out my office window I decided to leave early to go sailing, because you never know how much longer this will last. Frolic and I headed out with the schooners. In less than fifteen minutes we were in Penobscot Bay, sailing past the bright white lighthouse on Curtis Island and beating towards the Graves.

I turned back just as the already light wind heaved its last sighs and stranded Frolic and me at the entrance to the Camden Harbor.

I have a long oar that works fine as a paddle, and with a bit of effort it got me to my mooring, just in time to watch the sky turn pink and dress the harbor with its glow. Once ashore, I watched the full harvest moon rise over the bay, emerging from the land in a blaze of orange almost as bright as the sun that just set.

Bring on the cold weather. I’m stocked up on sailing vitamins.