A Little Slice of Late-Summer Magic

Late August gave us those dreamy summer days where life slows down just enough to let you truly appreciate it.

Family came to visit us at the yacht club, and instead of buying tickets for one of the Thousand Islands cruises, we did something better… we took them sailing.

There’s something so different about exploring the islands under sail. No diesel rumble. No loud commentary. No crowd pressing in around you. Just wind, water, and a sense of quiet wonder. You can hear the waves brushing the hull, feel the breeze in your hair, and if you really listen, you can even hear the wildlife on the islands as you pass by. You don’t follow a schedule; you follow the wind. You stay as long as you want. It feels like freedom.

We were blessed to share a little bit of that Thousand Islands magic with my cousin Diane and her daughter. And honestly? Watching a kid fall in love with the water might be one of the best feelings in the world. She immediately took her job as Captain’s Assistant very seriously… right until she declared she needed a Titanic moment at the bow — which she somehow instinctively knew how to do, despite never seeing the movie. Kids are amazing like that.

At one point I took over the helm so Tom could go sit up on the bow with my cousin’s daughter. Watching their faces light up as they searched the water for “treasures” melted my heart. The smiles were contagious. The giggles were the kind that settle straight into your soul.

It wasn’t exciting.

It wasn’t dramatic.

It was simply beautiful.

And my heart was so, so full.

There was laughter.

There was awe.

There was that floating kind of happiness that wraps around everyone onboard.

Back at the yacht club we grilled dinner on the deck overlooking the St. Lawrence, took the doggo for a much-needed wander, and there was even time for a few gentle pushes on the swing set. Ordinary moments, but somehow extraordinary when wrapped in warm air, gentle light, and good company.

For me, it was a perfect day. ⚓💙