That First Boating Day Of The Season…

Right up there with Christmas, Easter, and New Years is another annual holiday I await with great anticipation every year. The first boating day of the season. As fellow boaters can attest, there is something magical about that day. I can literally fell the stress melt away, as the water tells me everything will be ok. Like an old friend returning from a long trip, me, my boat, and the water have so much to catch up on.

For me, it’s a very simple tradition. The first ride is usually short as it’s still a little cold in our area (although our area is changing soon, more on that adventure later). A quick shakedown run out past the train bridge, a loop around Maxwell Point, slow cruising up and down the neighborhood channels, all while listening to what the boat and the water have to say. Myself at the helm, smiling so hard I can feel my jaw cramp up. My family, undoubtedly piled into the bow, despite the calls from the helm to balance the boat and the reminders of how much more comfortable it is to sit at the helm or stern. That first trip is always reserved for them, my people, my tribe. There will be trips with the boys to come, but not the first trip, that one is reserved for the most special people in my family.

It’s always surprises me how much I miss the water during that first cruise. The anticipation leading up to it is almost unbearable for me. For those that know me, they know I am a person of process. I find that even the process of preparing for that first ride, the removing of the shrink wrap, checking to see if last year’s life jackets fit the kids (maybe my favorite part of the process), the cleaning. The cleaning, knowing the boat it just going to get dirty again. None of it matters, because boating season has returned, and thus my happy place, my therapy office, my phone free zone, my escape.

For those who live in areas where they can boat all year long, well I am jealous. But, I think there is still something special about that first day of the season.

Don’t Trust Tomorrow,

Quincy Wilson