Dreams Come True

Sunset Cruz

I was looking through some photos today.  Fun days in years past when we had so many dreams of the future.
Boating was one of them.
I remember sitting at a restaurant along the intracoastal waterway in Palm Valley, FL.  It was late afternoon and high tide.  The sun sparkled on the water as people enjoyed the music, food and the beauty of the place.
Laid back with a cold corona and lime, I took a sip and said pointing with the tip of the bottle toward the dock, "if I had a boat it would be just like that one!"
It was a beautiful cabin cruiser tied up to the pier.
There was room aboard for several people.
We decided to walk down and inspect her closer.
Wow.  It was even more impressive up close.  Clean white surfaces and a beautiful deep green wide stripe along the side.
The back of the deck was enclosed with a tent awning in a green that matched the hull.  The instrument panel was compact and to one side.
Across from it was a bench seat and at the rear another seating area across the stern.  A swim platform made it easy to get on and off.
I could only imagine how pretty it was down below were there were sleeping areas a small galley and head.
Holding hands we strolled along the weathered boards and talked.  I never dreamed he would ever want a boat.  Years of sea duty in the Navy can ruin ones opinion of ever enjoying small craft life.
Over the course of several weeks we found ourselves still thinking of that boat.
It was one if those times in your life that you wonder what have you been working so hard for all your life.  Is it just to pay bills and wonder of your future.  Will you ever win the struggle to have a few days of fun?  Other people manage somehow to do it.  Could we?
It is sort of scary doing something that frivolous.

I can tell you though, that the first time behind the throttle of that boat, out on the flat glass water surface, on a hot afternoon was thrilling!

Many a day was spent just cruising the St. John's river.
I'd get off work on a Friday and meet him at the dock.  Change out if my scrubs and put on a bathing suit or jeans.
We'd go out a little way and drop anchor to watch the sun set.  Deep pink and orange sun made the sky look on fire.

We went as far as Lake George eighty miles south and also up to Cumberland Island and down the intracoastal waterway to St. Augustine.  Each outing an adventure.

I was scared to death at times, too!  Violent thunderstorms can erupt and charge up the river so quickly.  We ran aground a few times and of course there were the times when we ran out of gas!
Thank God for great friends who came to the rescue!  You know who you are!!

Camping aboard the boat with our niece and nephew and grandkids.  Life lessons learned and to be proud of.

Seeing beautiful wildlife along the way. Dolphins, egrets, hawks, gators!

Falling overboard, yep, me!  Too funny now as I remember and so maddening then!

Crying the day our beautiful boat sank while it was tied to the pier at NAS Jacksonville during a hurricane.

Replacing it with another beautiful craft.

Taking it to Key West several times and hanging out with our family as the sun set on a perfect day in paradise. Looking overboard into the crystal aqua water enjoying the moment.

Parking it in the yard when times were tight and health not good.

Cleaning it until it sparkled.

Selling it when we couldn't boat anymore.

My memories of those years hold me captivated.

We achieved a dream as a couple rather than just wished it.

Cathy Windham
5/4/14