"Take a Friend Boating"

I am truly blessed! I have a beautiful wife, four wonderful children and two exciting grandchildren. I also have some of the most wonderful friends any man could hope for. Yesterday was another wonderful time on the water. The best times on the water are spent with family and friends. We did a little "Dock Hoppin", floated around a bit and topped it of with a most wonderful sunset. It always amazes me that the best days on the water just happen. Sometimes making plans just gets in the way of having fun. So, the next time you get out on the water, make sure to take a friend along. They will thank you many times over for the experience.

"Dock Hopping"

One of the advantages of living on the water is the opportunity to visit your neighbors and friends by boat. Around here we call it "Dock Hopping". You never know who you may find out on their dock. Last weekend we left our dock to do a little work for our real estate business. By the end of the day, we had traveled 60+ miles and visited several friends we hadn't seen in a while. It was one of the most enjoyable days I have spent on the water in a while. If you boat in the same area for a while, even if you trailer your boat, you will acquire friends all along the shore. So the next time you're out on the water and you are tired of doing the same thing, do a little "Dock Hopping".

"Congratulations, Captain Bill"

We have a new lady on our local waters. Her name is "Blue Skies II". She is a Parker powered by a 150 Yamaha and proudly owned and operated by my good friend Captain Bill. Be sure to say hello to Bill and his new lady the next time you see them out on the water. She will be the pretty one. Captain Bill will be the one with a smile. Congratulations Captain! She's beautiful!

"The Perfect Sunset"

Well, I took my friend and his wife out for his birthday cruise yesterday. We left the dock as the summer sun was speeding toward it's daily exit. I have been very fortunate to experience the sun setting in some beautiful places. The Land's End Arch in Cabo, Cliff House Restaurant in San Francisco, the cliffs on the northwest shore of St. Lucia, and many more well known sunset spots. As a matter of fact, ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that sunset is my favorite time of the day. We had another friend on the boat with us last night. He is a well traveled captain with many great stories. As we listened to one of his great stories and waited for yet another beautiful sunset, he turned to me and said. "You know, I've seen the sun set in more places than you can imagine in my travels and they all pretty much look the same". I sat there for a moment thinking about what I had just heard and then it hit me. It's not the location or the visual effect that makes a sunset so beautiful. You see, in each of the places I mentioned above, I had loved ones and great friends around me. Therefore, the secret to a "Perfect" sunset, is to experience it with love ones and great friends. Yes, last night was another "Perfect" sunset.

"Take a friend for a boat ride."

Last night I was told by my first mate that I was getting too technical on the nautical terms, so I'm going to change it up a bit today. Some of my most memorable times spent on the water have been with friends. There is not a better way or a better place to get caught up than on the water. Whether it is a short ride to dinner or to see another beautiful sunset, great memories are always created. You don't have to spend all day with them, but I'm sure a short ride would be just fine. So call up that old friend that you haven't seen in a while and invite them out for a ride on the water. You will surely make their day and you will have one more reason to take a boat ride. Today is my friend's birthday. I think I'll take him for a boat ride.