Dinghy 101

Just got back from my first solo trip in a dinghy. Crazy Ponytail Richard let me take his dinghy to coffee - he walked. Don't know if he walked because he thought his life was in danger or because he needed the exercise. I have to admit Eddy showed me how to start it - and then started it for me - took a few pulls but he assured me I'd have no trouble on the return trip. So off I go and the first thing I do is run into the seawall and the vegetation you see in the photo. Eddy yells put it in reverse - he might have been laughing. Finally get out into the canal and slowly putt putt my way down to Unexso keeping a sharp look out for the ferry that almost did us in last month. Made it safe and sound, in probably twice the time it should have, but I did make it, tied up and relished the look of surprise on Richard's face when I showed up. TB helped launch me back into the canal on the return trip - but I started it myself. As you can see dinghy made it back safe and sound, even though I had to dodge 2 ferries. I really need lessons, every time I got it "on plane" I lost control and had to drop my speed.