The Sail La Vie was heeled over so far to port that I was standing upright on the side of the boat, grasping the big steering wheel as much to stay aboard the thrusting 31-footer as to hold it, with most of my might, at due north. It was a few minutes after midnight on Tuesday, July 22, the third night of the Race to Mackinac. • It was also the 100th running of the race – my first time in any sailing race, and only my second stint on a sailing crew of any kind. • As the rain began to pelt down, and the wind, unbelievably, continued to increase, death didn’t cross my mind, but only because death was an answer, and I only had time for one question: “How did I get here?”
Click here for full article (and photos by the marvelous Bruce Bever).
David - this was wonderful! I completely felt like I was *there* with you for every gust of wind, mosquito bite and exhilarating minute(although frankly, being the lazy wimp I am, I'm kinda glad I wasn't!)
Terrific story! Thanks for sharing it.
Posted by: Kristen | September 23, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Thanks, Kristen, for the kind words, and the idea for a slogan:
Murray's Freelance Writing. We help you feel like you were there (and be glad you weren't).
Posted by: David Murray | September 23, 2008 at 08:02 AM
David,
I only wish I could write like that!
Susan
Posted by: Susan | September 23, 2008 at 08:26 AM
Great stuff... sort of puts one in the market for a boat.
Posted by: Allan Jenkins | September 23, 2008 at 09:30 AM
It sure had me thinking about it, Allan.
Posted by: David Murray | September 23, 2008 at 09:33 AM
For your next posting I want to hear about that first motorcycle ride on the north rim of the Grand Canyon.....
Posted by: Ellen | September 23, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Well, you can read about that in "Rambling, At Home and Abroad," in CATEGORIES, above right.
It's part of "Volunteering for Scout Duty."
Posted by: David Murray | September 23, 2008 at 12:22 PM