Come sail away with me

I’ve often written about my happy place in this column – Lake of the Woods in Bremen, Ind. My brother-in-law’s family has had a cottage on this lake since 1949. I grew up going to it constantly in the summer when I lived in Mishawaka and still visit Lake of the Woods a couple of times every year now.

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved sailing with my brother-in-law, Mike. Last year, I decided to learn how to do it myself and studied a book about his catamaran. I drove up one Friday in August to spend the day with Mike and enjoy a day of sailing. The day was glorious – sunny, 80 degrees, low humidity … and absolutely no wind.

After laughing about the situation, I helped Mike rig his boat so I could at least see all the parts I’d learned about. We went out to lunch with my cousin, and I spent the afternoon kayaking instead. It was still a great day.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. I drove up to the lake on a Monday morning expecting to enjoy some swimming and time with my niece and her eight – yes, EIGHT – wonderful kids. When I arrived, Mike was grinning.

“You know … it’d be a great day to try sailing,” he said.

Our columnist loved sailing with her family at Lake of the Woods in Bremen. (Photo provided)

“Really?” I said. This time, the thought hadn’t crossed my mind. I knew Mike hadn’t prepared his catamaran for sailing yet.

“You can take out the Sunfish … it’s really easy to sail,” Mike said. I had completely forgotten about Melissa’s husband’s sailboat.

After some cajoling with Melissa’s older kids, two of them were “voluntold” to try sailing with me. Mike showed me the various parts of the boat as I thought about all I’d read before. The next thing I knew, Michael, age 15, and I were gliding across the water.

True to Mike’s word, the Sunfish was easy to sail, especially compared to the catamaran. And while I was nervous about capsizing, I knew Michael and I could upright the boat quickly if need be. But soon, all my nervousness faded. My muscles relaxed, and I went into sailing mode, watching the wind and guiding Michael on when we needed to switch positions.

We glided across the lake and back, then Michael switched places with his big sister, Lily. I enjoyed catching up with Michael as we sailed and had a great conversation with Lily as well. I felt incredibly relaxed and free! The two of us made it back to shore without incident.

Unfortunately, that was all the sailing I could do. Melissa and I had planned on taking a walk together, and I also wanted to spend time with everyone else swimming and talking near the shore. I had to drive back to Noblesville that evening so I could work the next day.

Apparently, my experience motivated the older kids. Soon, all four of them were enjoying the Sunfish and arguing over whose turn it was to sail.

Melissa, her family, and the Sunfish are now back in North Carolina, which is their home. I’m happy I had a few hours of sailing this year, and am already planning to enjoy many more in 2027.

Amy Shankland is an empty-nester, writer, and fundraising professional living in Noblesville with her husband John and two dogs. You can reach her via email at amys@greenavenue.info.