The boating community works like a village, and the attitudes that work best are humility and helpfulness. You may be the helper or the helpee – so assistance is given, power cords loaned, and cruising advice generously shared when needed. Everyone seems to work together for the good of the whole. The mobile pump-out station proves boaters have a sense of humor, too … even for the dirty jobs.

Friends – some known for years, others new – are found along the way. Gary and Sandy from NHYC, Mark from Utah years, Karen and Roger from Portland, Bob and Kim (so easy to remember your names): we look forward to meeting up again. Bob started his birthday on a misty San Juan morning, finished it overlooking Rosario Bay on Orcas: what a way to welcome in 63. As always, Duke steals the show.