Nice over Newport

As we cast off the marina dock lines, our dock mate said, "Don't get wet!" We had opted for a few days aboard Puffling despite the forecast for 50-percent chance of rain. Our first stop? The fuel dock for a pump out. The crowded basin offered Captain Dan an opportunity to practice his boat handling skills. Maneuvers included a pirouette in the tight waterway, then ducking into slip 105 while we waited for dock space to open up. Later, as we motored upwind in the East Passage the view to port summoned a classic summer day with green shoreline, bright blue sky decorated with fluffy white cumulous clouds. The starboard scene seemed more foreboding -- gray sky, cumulonimbus clouds with their menacing gray underbellies and what appeared to be rain. Fortunately we encountered just a patch of light drizzle and kept our gaze on Newport where the weather looked nice.

It is thrilling to see Bodhi taking to the Laser with aplomb -- as we rounded Rose Island, we spotted the Laser fleet practicing downwind sailing and Bodhi sailing the boat more adventurously, as his experience with it increases. His form downwind included a heavy dose of windward heel -- a significant development from last week. Lasers are tippy, sensitive and at times unforgiving boats. My dad shared a potential (and in my opinion extremely apt) name for the Laser: "Over Easy."

Hope all are well.

oxo Pufflings