Young Boy of the Sea

My Mom and I, Cruising the San Juan Islands, Washington, about 1964

Another strong memory resurfaced going through old photos to scan. They let me sit out there on the bow as long as I had that orange life-preserver. I notice Mom close by but I could look out ahead seeing just water and I stayed the longest time. I can feel the rare warm sun, see the bright flashes on the water, and could be there still if life hadn't intervened.

There were some great opportunities we had with my Dad's work with the Boy Scouts. These were actual Sea Scouts and my little brother and I were treated like royalty, or at least mascots, as guests on their ship (fairly large cabin cruiser). I seem to recall that we were at Friday Harbor for the 4th of July. I'll have to check that with my Dad. And I have the vaguest memory of a campfire while watching a satellite go by overhead when it was still a big deal. 

We were too young to appreciate the seafood as this next pic of my brother indicates:

We went on an Alaskan Cruise with my wife's family a few years ago. I woke up early and went on deck as we left Vancouver Island behind on the open Pacific heading for Queen Charlotte Island. My wife couldn't understand the attraction. But I brought her up on deck just as every shade of gray turned to every shade of blue when the sun rose and flashed on the water.