Our First Voyage

We did it, we finally did it! We took the boat out for a spin. It was a nerve-wracking, harrowing experience, but it was also pretty nice. We had to get a new battery, but that was just a slow down. Also, the engine was kind of difficult to start, but I think I can learn more about priming it. We ran aground just outside the Eagle harbor just as we were getting under way--the wind pushed us into a sand bar--but I don't think it did any serious damage. The worst thing was I stopped too quickly and the trailer jumped the hitch and punctured a whole in our licence plate and sheared the lighting cable, but we were able to get it home and park in out in front of the house. I've got a bit more boating confidence now, but it is still scary to go out.

Wendy is better at this than I am, which may be because she's got more experience with things going wrong on a boat. I kind of panicked when we ran into the sand bar and when we couldn't restart the engine after anchoring at Manzanita bay. I was a little better when the trailer jumped the hitch, though. Trailering with the boat is what sucks the most about all of this.
I must admit that I only got about a half-pound of enjoyment for my two pounds of anxiety from all of this. I think--I hope--that I'll get more enjoyment and less stress with experience.