Visibility 100% Going... Home

Like A Virgin
Maiden Voyage II

"Open Letter To A Dear Friend"

Hi Soooze!

Welcome Home!

I must tell you about your wonderful son Matt! I phoned your place earlier this week in hopes of catching Paul, and asking for help re: my boat -- the unloading of, et al. [I'm leasing a dock at lagoon pt].

If you recall, Dad and I, only *once*, had launched it one season by ourselves, and it was ship-shape and ready to go per Flower's Marine...and then, for 2 years, the boat hasn't been in the water....soooooooo, well, I'm not what you'd call "skilled" re: the boat, most specifically, the care and feeding and launching of ;-).

When I called you guys, Matt answered the phone, said you were on vacay, so I brazenly asked if he might be able to help me. He's so kind, and said yes, to this "virtual stranger", who he prolly had only a minute glimmer of who I was, from when I rented the Richards' place. But, as you well know, he's an amazing man, and was willing to help "this damsel in distress"...little did he (or I) know it would be quite this "distressing" LOL!

We were to meet at 5:15 (the Radelichs [in Seattle], nor I, had a key to the launch) and go from there. Well, we missed one-another at the appointed time, but I stayed put, while Gordy took off to see if Matt was around. Gordy ended up chatting with Irene & Don instead, and got a key...but during this time, Matt did another "pass by" the launch, and voila', magic he's there with bells on -- well, er waders on (little did we know he was psychic).

So, after a nasty bit with some neighborhood bullies at the dock (Matt can tell the details LOL), Matt got into my Jeep and zip, zap, zoom, backed it up and placed the trailer perfectly to launch the "Rainy Day". There was some "fun" with the "safety clip" being stuck UNDER the boat, but your lad, managed to wrestle it to the ground!

OK. Gordy is back now finally! The boat is in the water, and I'm holding onto it from the launching dock (ooops, I forgot to put the ropes on ... oy!)...and so I say, "Gordy, come here, hold the boat, so I can get on board". He does, and I step aboard and notice, sh*tsh*tsh*t it's taking on water -- RAPIDLY!

Oh no...I bet you can anticipate me --yes, you're absolutely right, the plug was not screwed into the hole...Flowers Marine had neglected to really have it "sea-ready" after all -- gasp, horrors, fear & expletive deletes, later, I got off said boat, and had the idea I could "hold the boat up" by one of the cleats LOL...and Matt leaps aboard, finds the plug, and tries to screw it in, to stop the water flowing, and the boat sinking...no good...so one of the previously mentioned non-neighborly neighbors, ended up being nice, and offered to grab my jeep and back it up, trailer and all, ASAP. With Matt's guidance (he's now pretty soaking wet, but thank god/dess for those waders...) the boat is now back on the trailer, locked and loaded, and pulled up the launch, and the water that was taken on streams like a big ol horse out the open plug hole.

Finally, it stops. There is still water on board, but nothing that a sponge, mop and good ol' dry sun won't cure (I hope...you see, I had the interior detailed 'cuz it was moldy after non-use -- hahaha?).

The Launch "Take II"

Gordy grabs the ropes from the boat, and this time we tie 'em to the cleats, and we put the bumpers on, and then I get in, while the bilge is being pumped and the blower blows.

Finally, Matt is ready to let it down off of the trailer /jeep, now that he's put the plug in, nice and tightly, [after he ran home to get the proper size wrench from your place]...oh, he is definitively a hero...!!! I can hear my Father's admonishments to my foolishness in my head -- oh dear!

Matt is now on board, as am I, and I beg him NOT to leave the boat, lest some other catastrophe befalls where I could use his expertise. He's not only my hero now, he's my "blankie" LOL! I could see the fear fighting with his up-bringing -- imagining, and fearing, what I might be able to do yet on the way to the dock. But his noble spirit wins out.

Gordy is concerned that the engine won't start, Matt is concerned that it will blow up LOL. Well, my 2nd attempt finds a nicely running engine w/out mishaps (knock wood). Yes!Yes!Yes! Hurrah!

Off we trundle to the dock, (with no wake ) to the leased mooring, tie off, and get into Gordy's Van to retrieve Matt's and my car left back at the launch. There is a welcoming "halloooooo" from across the way -- Irene welcomes me /us to the neighborhood LOL!

Matt was amazing, a true hero. What he endured...! I can't thank him enough for his help and kindness. I even tried to fix him up with Katie [oh my --the ol' sacrificial giving away of *my* daughter? -- yes, I was that impressed and that grateful], but he told me he already has a girlfriend...oh well, timing is everything!!!

So, next time you see your #2 son, make sure you laud him properly for being so good to me, and so incredibly helpful. Of course, he was offered use of the boat any time, as are you guys, as well as the offer to swim here at HLCC .

As Blanche Du Bois always said, "I've always relied on the kindness of strangers"...so a big ol' {{{fibrohug}}} to Matt, and to y'all for bringing him up right .

Talk to you anon, and see you at Lagoon Pt!

Love, ..Zoe

PS. Of course, I documented "the event" despite incredulity & utter chaos!

###