You know me from my books. I love the Bible. I want to teach. I’m very much self-taught (as opposed to Bible-school taught).
But here is something I bet you don’t know about me. It doesn’t show up in any of my books.
I love to sail.
“Dennis, don’t you live in Arizona? Isn’t that the middle of the desert?”
Very astute. Thanks for reminding me.
Before I lived in the desert (there, I said it), I lived in greater Los Angeles. Somehow or another, I stumbled upon Wind ‘N’ Sea Sailing Club. It was a discovery that was the equivalent of a one million watt light bulb turning on. Going out on the ocean and only using the wind to go where ever I wanted was…
Amazing.
I joined the crews of weekend day sails. I even learned how to solo pilot one of the 14 foot boats out the channel (dodging the enormous power boats all the way) and sail on the ocean – where the “gentle swell” of the surf was higher than the side of the boat.
Talk about a sense of freedom and excitement!
Incidentally, I looked online before writing this email, and it seems like the club is no longer in operation. So sad.
I like to think that if I had lived in the 1800’s, I would have become a mariner. I would have joined the crew of a tall masted ship and sailed around the world. It seems so delightful and fun…
When my wife and I vacationed in Ireland, we spent a couple days in Dingle. Beyond the name being fun to say, it was a lovely little seaside town. I spend an afternoon walking along the shore looking at shells. Then that night we walked in to the shops and my wife took this photo of me:
To me, it’s the best (solo) photo of the trip (every picture with my wife is much better). It captures the longing I feel toward the sea. The little marina was picturesque. The bay we were in was beautiful. This one photo says so much to me and brings back such sweet longings.
I don’t know why I wrote this to you. I don’t have any ask on the back or an offer to make. I hope you find it interesting and entertaining.
Maybe next week I’ll be back to share something more Bible oriented. Until then I hope you find this… insightful.
Ahoy!
Dennis
