| Vol 2 - Issue 8 | July/August 1998 |
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Captain's Log A Sister for Cinnamon Girl By Dave Stearns Captian's Logs 5-24-98 Well I spent the entire last week away from Children, home, work (sort of) and most all major daily headaches that are associated with work a day life. It was better then a vacation. In my new job as a Network Administrator for a large manufacturing company, I was sent to Bothell Wa. in order to get some training on our Manufacturing software package. Being an administrator, it just kinda made sense that I should learn something about what it is that we're using 90% of the time and how to actually administor it. So to this end the company set me up in a Hotel, with King size bed, pool, hot-tub..etc. And I attended classes from 9-4 from Monday through Friday. It was great. Got to meet some old friends. Talked to some others, didn't have a chance to see EVERYONE that I wanted.. Took one soak in the hot-tub. Ate THE LARGEST peice of Prime Rib that I've ever seen in my entire life, ate sushi..(the wasabe was WAY too hot for words. More like a 1000 jalapenos, almost painful...) and got to introduce a good friend to the pleasures of roast duck in a chinese restaraunt. And drank a few really nice darks brews. All in all it was a great time spent away. Learned a lot of stuff I need for my job (just hoe I can retain it all..) And I came home, thanks to Mikeal Sikora, with a couple of bookcases and other things too numerous to mention all taking up space in and on top of my car. Upon getting home..I was innundated with tons of the normal things associated with being a single dad. There was a bird trapped in the house. The Satellite dish lost it's signal again, and My cousin Gini had just called saying that she 'HAD' something for me that I would DIE for. About ten minutes after walking through the door upon my return home, I had the bird out of the house, the satelite dish working again, somewhat. And Gini and her boyfriend, my buddy Steve Picard came strolling through the door. "You owe us dinner for what we're about to do" "OK. What is it? "We have a boat for you" they said. "Excuse me" I think I had to sit down... "We found another sailboat for ya..." They said with wry smiles. "OK"...my interest was piqued..."what is it." "It's another Hobie Cat..We think it's the same size as the one that you have. It's blue, it needs a new trampoline, and it needs a new bracket for the one of the rudders, other then that it looks like it's in better shape then the one that you have." "How much?" I said with a bit of trepidation.. "The guy is just giving it away. Call him right now to make sure we can pick it up tomorrow..." My jaw dropped to the ground. I made the call. The guy was serious. He already had three boats. He didn't need them all. It needed new tires on the trailer. He was even throwing in a trapeze, with a seat. (everyone so far, calls it a diaper due to it's look and fit..that's ok, I'm not proud..) We made arangements to go pick up the boat in Manson Wa the next day. Sunday May 24th. First thing this morning Steve Called and asked if I was ready. I was getting there. I knew that the trailer was going to be in need of a couple of wheels. So I took the two off of 'Cinnamon Girl's' trailer while trying to make breakfast for the kids. Got everything loaded in the car and decided htat we only need Second Mate Tad for the trip..(actually First mate Cass, decided it was FAR more important to see friends and stay at home. I didn't want to deal with arguing with a 13 year old.) So the three of us, Steve, Tad and I took off to Manson Wa. along the shores of Lake Chelan about 45 miles to the north. Stopped at an espresso stand so we could wake up, and got a ribbing from both of my cohorts in crime, to ask the girl at the espresso stand out..if she wanted to go sailing... I declined. Graciously. ;-) Upon getting there I was amazed. This boat looked FANTASTIC. The hulls were a Robin's egg blue with dark blue racing stripes. A Black anodized mast. Two tires on the trailer ready to come off the wheels. Just sitting next to the highway leading into Manson in the middle of a weed field. We walked up to the house where the owner resided. He wasn't home and was out playing golf. His wife told us that they'd put a "FREE" sign out there for only about half an hour before Steve stopped and said that he knew someone who might want it. ;-) We thought it'd take about an hour to pack the thing up and get it ready to tow back. We arrived about noon. By the time four o'clock rolled around we were seeing a rainstorm come rolling in off the lake and still fighting to get the lights attached. We hard wired everything to the car to make it work and get outta there, the rain was beginning to pelt us. And we didn't want to fight it anymore. During the drive home we could actually see the trampoline ripping even more as the wind hit it...But EVERYTHING else on the boat is in better shape actually then what Cinnamon Girl is in right now! She's a '78' vintage boat, while 'C.G. is a '74' model. So as I write this. I now am the proud owner of two hobie's in my driveway. The new one has white sails with clear plastic windows sewed into each sail, and they look NEW. (this is a wonderful thing since I found out about two or three weeks ago that 'SOMEONE' had taken a knife to the main sail of 'Cinnamon Girl' and I now have three or four 6-9 inch gashes in them..) The trampoline is ROTTED away..at least what's left of it...but I ain't gonna complain about it...just replace it by next month. But everything on her is in REALLY nice shape other then that. (does having more then one boat make me an Admiral now, I wondered? and how many hobie's do I need to officially be called a fleet, or navy?) ;-) I don't know what we're gonna call the new one yet..I'm open to suggestions..but I do want to make it something to do with a Neil Young song I think..(since the other is 'Cinnamon Girl' after all..) so any suggestions will be happily entertained. What a wonderful life we live in sometimes. We'll keep you all apprised of our 'progress' with our 'new' acquisition, and the adventures to come during 'her' new voyages. Take care and may the winds be at your backs, and the Son in your skies. From the newest 'Fleet' of Wenatchee ;-) Captian Sterno and His Fearless Crew sterno@televar.com www.televar.com/~sterno Back to Features |