Keeping the Log

by Lee S. Wilbur

“Left Onset 10/25/9:AM” followed by two chart points and respective times. Entries from Helen J’s log followed on same page by a short list of needs and which must have been written close on to a week underway from our “voyage” South. No year. And I’m having trouble remembering what year it was when we’d “last minute” finished the “J” and pulled out of Southwest Harbor for Key West. Heading there for New Year’s Eve to watch the “Pineapple Drop.”

I’d found the log this winter, tucked between two WWII histories in the back of my double deep bookcase. It was time to give the lodging a thorough cleaning and replace with some updated reading material (Florida’s a goldmine of dynamite books at used bookstores and my favorite...yard sales). Took a month or two before gingerly opening the log’s yellowed “ziploc” to the first page.

This was the first real cruise AJ and I had ever done. I’d been taking boats to shows and deliveries to customers for several years. Had it down to a routine. Leave work late afternoon, hit Matinicus just before dark. Strike a course for Cape Cod Canal, arrive for breakfast and a fuel up at the basin, and so on. Extremely fortunate to have had such a great crew that I could trust over the years at Wilbur Yachts. Allow me to spend precious time on the water and away from the shop.

I’ve found over my short time on this amazing planet that when I’ve kept a “Log” or a landbound “Diary” my focus, true to form, lasts for a few weeks of decent description then fizzles off to short sentences. Not only does description begin to fail, my writing edges on “irreadability.” What was I trying to say, why was I writing it? No clue. An Entry with no date...“Walkin The Docks Yes You’re in Early-had dinner-TV Sucks-Walk the docks-Not the dogs(.)” We didn’t have any dogs, and where in the hell were we, and why would AJ or I write this. Must have been me with my barely legible scrawl. Had no business even being in the Log.

There was another factor at play that I finally realized when re-reading the log. I was quite concerned that this trip turn out to be a good experience for Arletta. Here’s a girl from Aroostok County. Lived a good part of her life on a potato farm and never been on the ocean for more than a few day trips. We’d be living in this 38'x12' structure on the water for nine months and we were leaving later than I’d planned. Varnish was still “tacky.” I knew the used (aluminum block) BMW had a habit of overheating but was too cheap and by that time in rebuilding this 39' Dyer, all I could afford. There had been no time for a shakedown run, we were still doing some varnishing underway....In fact that winter in Key West we were still varnishing and still trying to figure where all the gremlins were hanging out.

“Sun. 10/31 Halloween... AJ Hung A Scary Mask & Baseball funny face out for Halloween”. We were finally inside the inter-coastal (I never have understood the difference between “Intra” and “Inter” Coastal waterways) and barreling down New Jersey at a hairblowing 8 knots with the log finally beginning to receive some attention. “Left Goodluck Tom’s River 7:30 Std. Time—Went inside ICW down Barnegat etc., to Atlantic City, Arr’d 1:30. Came into Trump Marina-$3/ft. Dinner at Angelo’s Tavern/drinks at Tun’s Bistro..Bar Great “Tun Ale.”

Appreciation had finally begun to settle in and the log takes on a definitive uplift. Lists are written and items crossed off when complete. Channels and courses are entered with descriptions. Weather is noted as it should have been and times are noted. A few phone numbers are jotted down which must have come from either boat to boat conversations or other folks like ourselves, headed for Florida before winter weather set in.

As I read the Log now, I’ve begun to realize just what the entries should have included. Complete date...Month, Day, and Year. Numbered day of the trip (wish I had done this on our “circum” road trip out west a few years back), fuel taken on board and GPH. And of course, the weather. I’m now a believer in observations of whatever interesting scenery, where we might have stopped to eat, and any crazies that might have happened that day.

Reducing the number of inhabitants on the shelves of my “library” this past summer I came across a couple of other “log/diaries” which I’m looking forward to reading this summer. One diary which should bring back a lot of greats is simply titled “The Womb,” scribbled back in the 60s when several of us skiers stationed (US Army) in Southern Germany had a “warm bed” ski apartment in Kitzbuhel, Austria, about 3 hours from post. Warm bed because we worked three shifts (mids, nights, mids)and the guys on break occupied the apartment for either 3 or 2 days.

I sometimes think that a diary might be in good keeping since I’ve passed the 75 mark in age. But then again as forgetful as I’ve become, entries would surely become quite scattered and I’d be wondering why I’d included a recipe instead of scribbling it for the cookbook file.

• R E C I P E •

Mussels with White Wine, Parsley and Garlic (For 2)
4 cloves garlic
Kosher salt
4 T Ch. Flat leaf parsley (plus ¼ c. leaves)
6 anchovies, chopped
2 T olive oil
2 c white wine such as Muscadet or Pinot Grigio
3 lbs musselsZest of one lemon

Make a paste with the garlic and a little salt. Top garlic with chopped parsley and anchovies and chop together to form a smooth paste. 2. heat oil in a 6 qt pot over medium-high heat. Add paste and cook, stirring until aromatic...about 2 min. Add wine and boil for 2 minutes. Add mussels and steam until open. 3-4 minutes approx. Sprinkle mussels with parsley leaves and zest. Toss with a spoon and serve in bowls with crusty bread.

Fair Winds and Good Roads
– Lee Wilbur