Three

Start Near the Severed End

So apparently, in Philadelphia, a cheesesteak is served on half a

roll, which appears to me as half a sandwich.  Maybe that's just

the Jersey in me.  You should always take your first bite from the 

cut end of the half sandwich; it's only right.  During every bite 

you take, make sure you squeeze the innards gradually toward

the round end of the roll, ensuring that the last bite is more than

just grease-laden bread.  A good last bite will bring you back.

And if this groundhog sandwich woke up and saw two shadows

from smokestacks, it must have been a Tony Luke's sandwich.

Two smokestacks

The SS United States.  Much more impressive than a Tony Luke's

woodchuck hero.  Was that lunch another brick in the wall?

I fear that may be the case....

I've Hit a Brick Wall

Disabled Race Start

I say disabled because the word 'handicapped' is like saying 'Oriental'

these days.  This was the MRYC Labor Day Herring Island Handicap

start, just off the end of the Metedeconk River Yacht Club's main 

dock.  JW was very aggressive on this line, regardless of how much 

extra weight Wassail was carrying.  How many one design classes 

can you spot in this photo?  And which direction was the 

photographer facing?  And what kegged beverage kept the juniors

happy at the club during the cookout after that race?    

'Twas A Family Affair

Labor Day was always one last chance to sail as

fast as you could around Herring Island and back

 to the club and see how, if at all, your handicap

helped you against the faster boats.  For years and 

years, E-scows would win line honors and also

on corrected time until the dreaded Hobies came

to town.  The game would change forever.

This was one of the few times that not only were

there more than two crew aboard, but I could also

sneak a hand drag over the gunwhale without being 

made to walk the plank.  The Bay races concluded 

two days earlier, and it was a matter of weeks before

 the fall series would begin.  I may want to feel that 

water one more time.