Welcome to Diane Hill's Web Site
Summer Storm
I have always been fascinated by water. I love watching a thunder storm, spent time sitting by a waterfall or dipping my feet in a cool stream. But my favorite water activity is sailing. When you unfurl the sails, cut the engine and head off the wind so the sail fills with air, its like flying. The boat picks up the wind in its sails and lifts itself up moving over the water as gracefully as a bird glides in the wind currents above. The only sound is the water rushing past the hull. The boat moves with the water, up and down in the waves. For those of you who think power boats are the way to go....you are right. If your goal is to go somewhere quickly while getting banged around as you hit the waves.
At times you can catch too much wind in the sales and heal the boat over on its side. As you ride along with the boat leaning at a 35 degree angle, your heart races, the water comes over the side and you really feel alive. You might also be scrambling to dump some wind out of the main so you can right the boat. At night sailing in the bay, the only thing you see are the stars above and thousands of distant shore lights. You can hear fish jumping around you but its basically like sailing in a dark hole. I should mention you want to stay alert for large ships when you cross the channel and tug boats that like to work at night so, I've learned to watch for low moving lights among the distant shore lights.
I have never sailed in a heavy storm. I cannot tell you what that would be like but if it is anything like one of my favorite movies, "White Squall" , I think I'll stay on shore when the Nor'easters hit, thank you very much.
If I have peaked your interest in the Chesapeake Bay or sailing click on my favorite links hatchway below to see some of the sites I enjoy.
