Our new friends
@Shawn Rodel, his racing mate and friend Paul, and Shawn's wife Sue, were tremendous hosts to our family of 4 on our free afternoon before my son's soccer tournament began near Tampa. When I explained to a friend how a forum post led to us sailing in the Gulf of Mexico on a beautiful Ericson 38-200, followed by dinner at the yacht club, they said, "Proof that the world still has good and kind people."
Indeed. A sailing club friend saw a picture of me at the helm and said, "So you are shopping for a bigger boat, I take it?" I couldn't help but search to see what the going rate might be to trade up to an Ericson 32-200. Someday I expect I'll be looking more closely at that sort of upgrade and a yacht club in Erie. For now, I'll be thankful to our hosts for our wonderful experience and jealous of those who have such sailing grounds and an amazing and low key yacht club to retire to in the evening for drinks, dinner, and the sunset. For now, our little state park lake and picnic pavilion and grill will suit us just fine. Thanks again to this community. Our Ericson 25 found us through this forum, and the forum has rewarded us yet again with an amazing experience, new friends, and an invitation to return as race crew someday (I will definitely accept that invitation).