Lake Merced by wysiwig
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Description
Lake Merced
West of San Francisco State University is Lake Merced. In the early 1970s the university offered a class in boating. Lake Merced is where I learned to sail. The instructor was a crusty old sailor who introduced the class to a thirteen-foot, fiberglass sailboat called a 'Flying Junior'. Twice a week we would go out on the lake and learn how to handle these small boats. The class had a long waiting list. After all, sailing lessons were expensive and we were lucky to receive this instruction for fifty dollars for the semester.
About one month before the end of the semester a pretty dark haired young woman named Virginia showed up at class dressed in a bright yellow miniskirt and asked to withdraw from the class. Apparently she was bored and had other things to do. The instructor became visibly angry. Someone on the waiting list had missed a chance to take the class because she was in it. He informed her that if she did not finish the course work he would give her a failing grade. Properly chastened she boarded one of the boats with me and we prepared to set sail. The boat pulled away from the dock. A sudden gust of wind filled the mainsail and...over we went. As Virginia and I struggled to right the boat, the instructor's friend came by in his seventeen-foot Norwegian built sloop. He reached down and grabbed Virginia under her arms and pulled her aboard. As he did her miniskirt rode up and I saw a part of her perfect, glistening figure I had never seen before. I believe the phrase "Oh My God!" was created to describe what I beheld. Her underwear was also bright yellow. I am certain I will carry the memory with me until my dying day.
Back on the dock we now had the option of going home or continuing with the day's lesson. Showing admirable grit Virginia went to her car changed into jeans and a shirt and came back for more. I remained damp. As the Norwegian sloop pulled up to the dock Virginia and I stepped aboard. The boat pulled away from the dock. A sudden gust of wind filled the mainsail and...over we went.
We took our final exam on San Francisco Bay. If you have never been flying, take a small boat into the middle of the bay sometime where it can catch the wind blowing in from the Golden Gate Bridge. That, my friends, is flying!
Comments (18)
durleybeachbum
A marvellous tale! Your descriptive gifts are wonderful. A most cleverly framed photo. I too learned to sail in Poole Harbour for 6d/2.5 pence week with the teenage branch of the Scouts, the Sea Rangers. What a bargain
Meisiekind
Magical shot and a marvelous tale Mark! I wonder where Virginia is today?
alanwilliams
beautifully framed pic.
morningglory
Beautiful natural framing here.
Faemike55
Fantastic shot and great story
mariogiannecchini
Wonderful scene and shot , Mark !Great story !
beachzz
What a great story!! I know a couple of people who also sail Lake Merced, and the bay and they say the same thing; it's like flying!
Digitaleagle
Outstanding dramatic capture, beautiful color and lighting topped off by the wonderful natural framing, awesome!
qrud
Very perfect art.
sandra46
super fantastic, excellent image!
auntietk
Wonderful photograph, and a charming story! :)
whaleman
You painted this event so vividly I think I shall remember it forever too!
JuliSonne
Ein idyllischer Ort. Wie gemalt von den "Alten Meistern". Ein fotografischer Blick. Ein friedliches Bild für ein "Stadtkind". Man saugt es auf,nimmt es mit zurück in die Hektik und nach Bedarf holt man es hervor und.... alles wird gut. Ich liebe es! Danke, Mark! JuliSonne
gemb1
Excellent shot and story have you thought of trying to find her??
blondeblurr
Your story had me hypnotised ... did you marry her and live happily ever after? I do love happy endings ;-) Nicely framed capture, Mark BB PS I have read about the 'Flying Juniors' from another friend here at Rendo, amazing feat.
vaggabondd
nice shot, great pov
psyoshida
Funny story, told as only you can tell it. Amazing photo as well. I love the POV and the silhouette of the trees in the background. Very lovely.
ragouc
Very good POV