Sailor's Delight

Wow. Sailing is the life!

What is about being on the water that provides such a sense of peace and contentment that you just don't get anywhere else? From a small inflatable raft to a huge cruise ship, there's just nothing like being on the water. Yesterday I found out that there's especially nothing like being on a sailboat in the water...

Last night, I went on a sunset cruise on Lake Michigan and it was just amazing.

 

Dave and I booked a sail with Sea Dog Sailing, owned by Robert De Vorse and operated on his beautiful 34-foot yacht, the Blue Chip. We arrived at the marina around 6:45 p.m. and were due to set sail at 7:00. We were let onto the dock by Bob's crew member, Melissa, and she led us down to the boat. We hopped aboard and were greeted by Bob and two other couples – Marquette students - who had also booked a sail. Bob went through a quick rundown on safety and then we were off.

The night was perfect. The sky was clear and pink. ("Pink sky at night, sailor's delight.") The water was calm but the wind was swift enough to keep us moving pretty well.

The four other people we were with moved to the front of the boat while we stayed in back with Bob and Melissa, and we talked as the boat was maneuvered out of the harbor. I even took the helm for a bit while Bob and Melissa released the sails. There was definitely more to it than steering, say, a car, but it was really fun. I had to watch the arrow at the very top of the boat and keep steering toward the direction of the wind. At one point, a speed boat passed us and in order to avoid letting the waves from it tip us, I had to steer the boat right into them, head-on. We didn't tip, so I guess I was successful.

Still in the harbor, we passed the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center, which is where Bob learned to sail 11 years ago. Bob - a high school Social Studies teacher - was so friendly and easy to talk to. He said he takes about 600 people out on his boat per year - and he said probably 85% of those people are visitors to the city. Families on vacation want to go sailing, truckers making a stop in Milwaukee want to go sailing, businessmen and women in town for conferences want to go sailing when they're not in their meetings and such.

I wondered why more locals don't take advantage of this awesome opportunity, though. At only $40 per person for a 2 ½ hour sunset sail, or $30 per person for a 1 ½ hour daytime sail, it's really, really affordable! First, I think many who live in Milwaukee take it for granted that the lake is right there whenever they want to look at it or play on it, and second, I think most people think you have to own a sailboat or know someone who does in order to go sailing on Lake Michigan. Think again!

As we sailed away from the shore, Dave and I had a drink and we all listened to Jimmy Buffet. At one point we passed the Lake Express on its way back to the city, which is the ferry boat that runs daily between Milwaukee and Muskegan, Michigan. We waved at all the people on the top and they waved back. Bob said he's taken it once and it moves so fast that it feels like you're on a "motorcyle with no helmet" and that you really have to hold on up there! It looks like fun, but I hear it's a bit pricey. It does get you to Michigan in 2 1/2 hours, though, as opposed to six hours by car!

We passed a few fishing charters, too - that's another thing I'd really like to try this summer. You go out for like five hours at a time and you can catch salmon and trout and perch, and then the boat owners will clean it for you once you get back to shore and you can take it home with you! Yum! I don't know how good of a fisherman I'd be, but I do love to eat fish!

Anyway, as we sailed out further, we relaxed and watched the city behind us grow smaller as the sun moved lower and lower. It finally disappeared behind the buildings and it was lovely. There was a slight chill in the air - even though it was still 90+ degrees on the shore – but it was perfect still.

After an hour and a half or so, Dave and I traded places with the other passengers and got to sit up at the front of the boat. It wasn't quite dark yet, but the moon had come up and was reflecting off the water, and the lights of the city were beginning to glow. It was a bit more private up there and we spent the time, well, being obnoxious as we always are, but also by simply not talking and enjoying our incredible surroundings. It was quiet and soothing and I just felt like we were the only people in the world out there.

When it came time to turn around and head back, Bob came up and demonstrated how we had to lie down on the deck and hold on in order to keep from falling off and/or getting hit by the sail as it switched sides and as the high side of the boat became the low side. We lay side by side as the boat made a sharp turn to start back toward the city. It gave us a little thrill. =)

Bigger thrills would have been in store had it been windier. There's a dial on the boat that shows the angle at which it's leaning that goes from zero to fifty degrees on each side. The farthest we got was about 10 or 15 degrees, but Bob says he's gotten to 40 degrees or more, to the point where the boat is "railing" – meaning that the side rails of the boat are actually underwater! Now THAT sounds exciting! For my first sail, though, I was glad it was calm.

We were scheduled to get back around 9:30 but it was closer to 10:00 when we pulled up to the dock. Quite a few of the boats docked in the marina were occupied, their owners chillin inside or on their decks, enjoying the ideal summer night. It really must be the life! The Blue Chip docked and we got up onto the pier. I didn't want to be done! We thanked Bob and Melissa for the wonderful time and then we headed home.

Sailing is something I definitely hope to do more of, and something I think more people should try. It's just awesome! I told Bob we'd be back!!

Comments

[Tammy]

I'm a beach fanatic, so I can relate to the joys of being on the water. Another wonderful post, Erin!

Visiting via Michele this morning (on my way to the beach!).

[Christi]

I'm SO going sailing before the summer is over now. I've always wanted to go..now I know I can =) Thanks love!

[Derek]

Thanks for this post. I didn't know that there was a place like "SeaDog." I'm definitely going to look into it. I know my fiancee would love it.

[April]

This is so cool! I've always wanted to go sailing and I think it's awesome that you can bring your own food and drinks too! Thanks for the post.

[Sarah]

My sailing experience w/MCSC was amazing, if not a bit frightening . . . something to think about doing more often next year perhaps . . . glad you had a good time.