We returned from a long boat trip this weekend. We were out all morning cruising, beaching, swimming, and shelling. We didn’t return until lunch time. This satisfied my need for sun and waves but the minute we entered the boat lift half my crew jumped out of the big boat into their little boat. I guess they hadn’t reached the same level of satisfaction I had. This little dingy was a Craigslist purchase that the boys woke up to find at the cottage Christmas morning. I have to admit as Scott demonstrated proper driving techniques Christmas morning he had to beg the very hesitant boys to climb aboard. A bit unstable, the boys were not quite as enthused as I had imagined they would be. Scott and I both had some concerns that maybe we had acted prematurely thinking the boys were ready for their own boat. They’ll grow into it, I claimed hopefully.
Well, we’ve come a long way in six months. I miss the cautiousness the boys had originally exhibited. These days, it’s a regular thrill show.
Gavin enjoys putting around, but Tommy has truly taken to the water like a captain. He has mastered steering and adjusting his speed. He will come in to the sea wall full speed only to throw his motor into reverse several centimeters from slamming into the seawall and avoid a catastrophe. Tommy religiously pulls his battery out of his boat at the end of the weekend to charge.
Tommy has been working on the littles for the last several weekends in an effort to tempt them aboard. They remained hesitant for quite awhile but climbed aboard for the first time with Tommy as their captain this weekend. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to get all of them in the boat for a photo since I saw this boat on Craigslist and came really close this weekend. Three out of four isn’t bad in my book.
Tommy will ride around in his boat until dark, or until I yell to him that the food is coming off the grill or until his battery is completely drained and then he will pull out his paddle and row his way to the seawall to tie up for the night. Although I always have a certain level of anxiety when he’s out on the water, I love to glance out the cottage window to see a shirtless tanned boy enjoying something so wholesome and innocent. Furthermore, when he’s out in his boat, he’s not at my side arguing and debating with me. A little space does us well these days.
A little Tom Sawyer, a little Captain Hook and a lot Tommy.
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