Friday

Hard Aground...


The second worst thing that can happen to a boat (other than water rushing in) is running aground. We did that, yesterday. It wasn't on purpose, and it wasn't as if the Captain hadn't been studying his charts (he's always looking at those things). It just sort of snuck up on us. 

The GLORY B draws six feet of water. So it was with a fair amount of comfort that we anchored in twenty-five feet, just inside Apple Cove. Not too far in because some of these places are notorious for turning to mudflats on a minus tide. We parked directly across from the ferry landing, a fair amount of space before the turn-in to Kingston Marina. 

A stone's throw away from a sailboat that was bigger than ours.

Easy peasy. Quiet night, beautiful morning. The Captain went off to town in the dinghy, while I did some work I had been putting off during our last crossing. When I'm working, I don't notice much of what's going on around me. You might even say I go somewhere else. 

This book by Eddie Jones
is now on top of my
reading list.
Which is why it came as a complete shock when the boat suddenly tipped over with a horrendous crash, and sent a shower of morning coffee on top of me. Along with anything else that wasn't tied down. Books, dishes, backpacks, etc. We hadn't even begun to get ready for getting underway, again. 

The floor was nearly vertical as I pulled myself out from under the debris and peeked through the nearest port. Horrors! The water looked only inches away from coming in. Considering I hadn't backed up any work for weeks, the thought of all my electronics getting drenched was appalling. 

I didn't know how much time I had to rescue stuff. Moments? Hours? Where did my briefcase go? Where was my purse? I finally took the only option I could think of.  Screaming and hollering for help.

Since the Captain had started back when he noticed the boat going over, he was practically there by then. So close I heard him answer, not to worry--I was only in two feet of water. "Just climb onto the high side," he told me. Which was easier said than done, considering I have been neglecting my endurance exercises for years. 

Let's just say it was a humbling experience to finally crawl up out of the hatch to find children playing nearby, in water that was barely up to their knees. By that time there were a couple other rowboats coming close, ready to render assistance to all my hollering. Not to mention a crowd of onlookers from the ferry that was docked and going about its normal business. Oddly enough, the boat that was "only a stone's throw away from us." was grounded but still afloat.

Everything ended OK (it always does when the Lord has you in the center of his hand). The tide came back as gently as it had gone out, re-floated us, and we chugged away as if nothing had ever happened. No damages. There were a few things down below that were bent out of shape (along with my self image) and another mess to clean up. 

All that about my electronics getting wet was a false alarm.

There's a lesson somewhere in all this, but I haven't sorted it out, yet. At the moment, I'm just wondering if my propensity for adventuring is more of a weakness than a strength. Or if I will magically turn into a stronger person somewhere down the line. Meanwhile, I'm hoping the Captain can put up with me till I get there.

8 comments:

  1. How awful Lilly! I am so glad it all turned out okay but my what a shock!

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    1. It definitely threw me, Carol (in more ways than one!). My new goal is to develop a little more self-control... but I have a feeling one only gets that by practice. Yikes! I still like adventuring, though.

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  2. Oh my goodness! I'd be so freaked out. I'm glad you're okay. Did you get burned from the coffee? Thank the Lord your electrical things made it -- and you, too! (Sorry, but it did paint a comical picture. I might have to use it in a book!)(Maybe that's why the Lord let it happen -- He was getting your attention for a new conflict in a scene!)

    I can see that happening to me. When I'm working I'm so focused everything else fades. Which is how we're supposed to focus on Jesus, right? Wish I was as focused on Him as I am on my work!

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    1. Hi, Karla! The thing about my coffee is that I never have any over lukewarm sitting there because I promptly forget about it as soon as I get involved. So, everything turned out right on all fronts. And I have thought about using such things in my books on occasion (feel free, you can have this one to make whatever you want with). But they usually get edited out for being too unbelievable for our well-ordered imaginary worlds. I'll admit I have snuck a few into the Stella Madison Capers, now and again, though. Heh, heh, heh...

      I think it's wonderful to be focused in on your work when your writing for Jesus (as I know you are) since it is a "joint effort." And there are times when I know He is enjoying the ride as much as we are. Desires of our hearts and all that. Just doesn't get any better.

      So good to see you here. I'm behind in my emails but think of you often!

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  3. Seems that your travel perspective is far from your armchair! Adventure lived--lessons learned (?) Writing material had!

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    1. Marcia, that is so true. The real thing is always different than we imagined... especially when we picture ourselves more capable than we really are. Then again, what if the journey itself is the very thing that turns us into what we imagined in the first place? Ah, that's what I'm hoping to find out! Writing material for sure.

      I would like to keep a little more control over myself while I'm at it, though!

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  4. Never a dull moment with you, Lily! Never a dull moment!

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    1. The way things have been going, so far, I would have to agree, Tanya! But the Captain keeps telling me all this stuff is the true definition of adventure. Hmm...

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