[Sloop Scoop 2009] #4 10/10 -- 10/17

[Sloop John B]

Ahoy again--

The mast came down on Wednesday.  Cap'n Jack spent the afternoon on 
the grass supervising and sleeping (he's pretty lame, now, and has 
wheels to help him walk but he doesn't really like them).  It was his 
last trip to the harbor and to see that boat: he won't make it though 
another off-season. He's been with me every season since 1997, when 
he found Nana and I at the harbor and coaxed us to take him 
home.  Having him at the harbor is one of many steps I'm taking to 
help let him go, somehow, I'm sure naively, thinking it will be 
easier with each ritual.

The mast came down sooner than I'd like, and it was a beautiful 
sailing night on Wednesday that I couldn't take advantage of just to 
underscore the point.  But then again, they are calling for snow 
soon, and the boat was in the water since May 2nd, so I think this 
year's got the record for in-the-water length.

**HELP NEEDED FOR RIVER TRIP TOMORROW (SATURDAY) and COVERING NEXT WEEKEND**

We were scheduled to go up the river today (Friday) but the weather 
warded us off.  We're going tomorrow early--trying the leave Jackson 
Park by 6:15 at the latest to catch the sunrise and hopefully be the 
first boats out of the water at the boatyard.  If you're free and 
hardy enough to brave the hour and the cold, let me know.  I'm kind 
of excited about the early morning trip.  The light is so beautiful 
at that time of day, and there shouldn't be much river traffic other 
than the fishing boats.  We should be on shore by noon at the latest, 
10:30 if every detail of the trip goes as smoothly as possible.

We'll winterize the boats the first decent weekday next week, and 
then I'll need a few folks to help me get the boat unloaded and 
covered next weekend, or, worst case scenario, the following 
weekend.  My back has been giving me a lot of trouble in the last 
couple of weeks, so I really need the help. If you are willing to 
help, please let me know and I'll contact people back directly to 
figure out a schedule rather than send out another Sloop Scoop.

I missed a lot of you on the water this summer, so hopefully next 
summer we won't have a health- or mechanical-related midsummer 
hiatus.  The Sloop and I thank those of you who made it, and brought 
friends and family, for a good season.

Enjoy fall, and don't be a stranger during the off-season!

Skipper Schuy/Lisa
cell:  773-343-0153
General information: http://www.jewellgems.com/sloopscoop/index.htm
(what to do and bring, directions to the harbor (long-winded but 
interesting and accurate), etc.)

-----------------------------------------------------------
ON THE HORIZON
Sailboat lullaby--Winterizing, unpacking, and covering the boat for 
her long winter's nap.