No Moss Gathering Here

I realized today that it's been almost a month since I published a post. In my defense, this has certainly not been due to lack of interest, instead it has been due to a decided lack of down time. Since my last post I have:

1. Turned 40 and celebrated appropriately.
2. Done an overnight distance race on the Chesapeake (The Race to Solomons) and the return sail back to Annapolis.
3. Spent a week on a boat on the Chesapeake (including three separate races) earning my RYA Day Skipper practical certification.
4. Spent a week in Pensacola (my second this summer), including a short trip to New Orleans (my first time there ever).
5. Chartered my first sailboat less than a week after being properly qualified to do so.
6. Managed, somehow, to squeeze in some work and sleep.

At the helm of my very first sailboat charter. Note the massive grin.

I have a lot of pictures and video footage to process and post, along with stories to write up. Fortunately, I have no special travel or sailing plans for August so I'm hoping to use the time to play catch-up.

No rest for the Nautographer....

Is The Princess Bride The Best Sailing Movie Ever?

The Princess Bride is one of my all-time favorite movies, and I have yet to meet anyone who has seen it and not at least liked it. Most folks I've talked to about it love it just like I do. I grew up watching it and was mesmerized by the story, the adventure, the swordplay, and the witty interludes between Peter Falk and Fred Savage.

But upon further reflection, I've also realized that it may also secretly be one of the best sailing movies of all time. How so? Just look at the plot in summary form:

1. Boy finds girl
2. Boy goes sailing
3. Boy gets lost at sea
4. Boy becomes a pirate
5. Boy finds girl again
6. Boy saves girl
7. They live happily ever after

Tell me that there isn't a sailor out there who hasn't dreamed of living this out at least once? Finding true love, going off to sail the world, coming back to said true love and living happily ever after? The only thing that would be better is if the true love came along with you to share in your adventures, but I think that would have made for a less compelling movie.

I'd say that makes for a great sailing movie, even if only in an abstract sense. If I ever buy a boat, I'll almost certainly keep a copy on board to watch after a tough day storming the castle.