Uncle Les had driven thousands of miles around the country from Iowa, and arrived in Seattle in time to connect with the extended family for Jill's birthday. He had been sailing on a muddy Iowa river once, but never sailing in salt water. What a good excuse to get Simplicity our 1974 C&C 35-II off the dock for the first sail of the year. It took a bit to put things away and untie the doubled up winter dock lines, but we got off the dock about 1pm. With light air, it was an easy day, and Les drove, so I could run around the boat, putting fenders away and getting the mainsail up. We motor-sailed around the 1913 schooner Adventuress, and put up the little jib, sailing to West Point. "What are you taking pictures of now?" Les Asked, "Just the water texture!" We checked out the seal on the West Point green buoy, and were startled by a close screaming powerboat. I grabbed a shot, I had to save in B&W. We motor-sailed down to Five Mile Rock where we could see the Space Needle, and the Seattle waterfront, where Les could do a few video pans. We turned back past some of the anchored ships, like the bulk carrier Fortune Rise and made it back to Shilshole Bay Marina, past Adventuress, and the breakwater art. We quickly put the boat away and headed home, just after 5pm. What a fine little sailing trip, despite the motoring to make Elliot Bay views possible. Doesn't Les look like a sailor now, carrying the red Schattauer sail bag. Thanks All!

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