Never quite sure what solo-sailing adventure may be gleaned in this neck of the woods (Santa Cruz, CA).
It's a little OT, but the recent local escapades of "Buddy," aka Budweiser the Clydesdale horse, whose 1 ton self disappeared into thin air for 5 days is noteworthy for both audacity and ingenuity.
Kinda like having your J-92 go sailing without you.
It turns out Buddy didn't just wander out from his pen unaided: It was doublehanded. Buddy's best friend, a dwarf Nigerian billy goat named Lancelot, stealthily learned to unlatch and butt open the gate, and off they went, the Clydesdale and the escape goat.
Lancelot soon returned to the fold. But Buddy apparently was enjoying his freedom, staying well hidden and eluding volunteer searchers. They even trotted out Lancelot in an attempt to lure Buddy into the open. Nothing doing, Buddy remained on the lam for 5 days.
Finally a pair of searchers on horseback found Buddy hiding in some manzanita and led him back to his pen, where he was reported to be "extra frisky, playful, and happy to be back."
It's Tuesday, almost midweek. Do you know where your boat is? Did she seem to be a little "extra frisky and playful" in her moorage when last seen? Boats do have a life when we are not aboard you know. Just ask the solo sailors of the 2016 SHTP who anchored out in Hanalei Bay.
photos courtesy of Tamara Schmitz