Driving up to Seymour’s in Centerport, LI, I basically felt like I had a huge star of David tattooed on my forehead. The frickin’ Vanderbilts used to own half the town. But after a little walk and a quick ride in a launch we made our way to the Margaret — John’s new boat.
Here’s Melissa Johnson and Jason Rozger getting on the boat. When I got on I saluted and asked, “Permission to come aboard, sir!” John responded that I had permission to not be an idiot.
Here’s Capt. John Schmit, um, driving? Sailing? Whatever he is doing, he’s doing it well. I think at our peak we were going 26 knots. Later in the tour I actually held the wheel for a moment. I don’t think I did that terribly.
When John’s at the helm, everyone is all smiles. Here’s Ann basking in the sun.
And here is me! I kept the beer drinking pretty light. The last time I was out on a boat I got horribly seasick. I didn’t get queasy this time — for one moment when we were really rocking I got a little dizzy, but I focused out on the horizon, just like they say to do, and it helped me out a lot.
We all swam in the sound. We were somewhere between Long Island and Connecticut. That’s almost international waters. We coulda opened a casino!
We saw a lighthouse!
We saw water!
Here’s Jay and Melissa in the wind!
And here was a nice house we saw! John said this was the murder house. Somebody went nuts with an axe and killed his family there — just like in the movies!
The seaplane hangar was once owned by the Vanderbilts. We don’t know who ownes the sailboat.
Here’s John engaging in both R and R on a Sunday.
Here’s surprise guest Kirstie.
Toward the end there was the catching of Bluefish. I couldn’t get a good shot of the fish themselves flapping and bleeding around the inside of the boat — but it was very exciting. I’d like to point out that I caught 1.5 fish. I caught one and reeled it in — then caught another, began to reel it in, then handed the rod to Ann who lost it. I also think I’m getting better at casting.
