Home again

The sweet little Vespoli lwt 1x came home today. She sat nestled on her rack, tucked in among the bigger boats, happy to be back in her own sculling pavillion. She had been raced in a national trials race, and I am sure she worked hard. But being on the road, in strange waters, among unknown shells can take its toll. You could see the relief on her bright red hull. She had come home to comfort, to familiarity, to love.

I wasn't the first of her regular rowers to have their reunion with her. I saw another rower out with her during my team practice. But my heart jumped to see that little red boat on the river, and I knew that--despite my fatigue, despite work obligations, despite my taper for the weekend's race--I would go out with her after practice for a quick little row.

As soon as we put away the team boat, I ran to get my sculling oars. I came back and patted the Vespoli gently, and she seemed to respond. We walked down to the dock--together again--and went out for a row.

The water was perfect, and we found a sustainable rhythm. The run was smooth, and the set was fine. A few high 10s and 20s. It felt right to be together again. On the way back, I felt daring in my giddiness, and we did a start sequence with a high 10 at a SR of 40! And it wasn't so awful. In fact, I think the Vespoli enjoyed it too. We settled to a 30 for a minute, and then brought it back in.

I carefully washed her down and then tucked her back onto her rack. I put the mittens on her oarlocks, to protect her neighbors' hulls, and said "I will see you tomorrow."

I almost think I heard her respond. She certainly seemed happy to be home again.