[S1:E17] Once upon a time, I was a warrior, pure and simple. The only thing that mattered to me was winning. I would suffer anything, if it would help me win. If I didn't win, I didn't enjoy it (whatever "it" was). Well, since then, I've discovered that being a warrior is good for the ego, but it's really hard on your soul. And that's why, these days, the Downtown Sailing Series is right up my alley.
Ten years ago, Dwight Jones, the manager of Elliot Bay Marina, at the foot of Magnolia hill in Seattle, came up with the idea of an event that kind of looked like a race, but in reality, it's just a bunch of fun-loving boaters (and even non-boaters) from the Seattle area, getting together every Thursday evening all summer long. They meet up at a designated time for the "start," which is signaled by a horn, and the "race" is on.
Okay, it's not really a race. It's more of the mentality of an egg toss at a children's birthday party, without the mess! I suppose if a bit of a race between a few sailboats did break out, that would be fine. Mostly, it's about camaraderie, some tasty munchies, an evening cocktail, and having a beautiful sail surrounded by like minded people, with the city reflecting the setting sun on one side and the Olympic mountains standing handsomely on the other. The Downtown Sailing Series is really all about the experience of sailboats sailing together from Seattle's Elliot Bay Marina.
Sam and I were invited aboard the "Tre Gatti", a sailboat owned and lived aboard by Kevin and Mariko Monis, and their two cats. They had a group of their friends on board and within about 30 seconds we felt like we had known all these people for years. They were really inviting, friendly, fun-loving folks! The weather wasn't perfect, but as you'll see in the video, it was still gorgeous out there. At this point in my life, winning is way down the priority list. Winning has been replaced by such things as fellowship, beauty, humor, and comfort. You'll find all of these and much more when you participate in the Downtown Sailing Series next summer! I'll definitely be back. It was a great evening!
(Seattle's Downtown Sailing Series celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2013. Learn more about the Downtown Sailing Series and relaxing on Seattle's Elliot Bay Waterfront at www.downtownsailingseries.com and www.elliottbaymarina.net)
17 сен 2024
