Jack Tar Adventures

Peter and I were both woken by a howling wind from the north at 2 AM this morning, and it didn’t let up until about five this evening.  The weather apps had predicted 40-knot gusts, so we had already planned to stay put today.  Once the wind and rain died down, it turned into a beautiful evening for a walk along the shoreline.

Keith and another slipholder, Eric, were struggling to remove an invasive aquatic weed from Eurasia called water chestnut that was clogging many of the slips.  The weed forms floating mats that are impenetrable to sunlight, crowding out native vegetation.  They had to get the weed up quickly because it sends roots straight down into the seabed. Apparently, once it’s grabbed the bottom, it’s nearly impossible to pull up. The seeds are wicked-looking, and indeed they are called “Devils’ heads.”  We kept finding them on the boat.  Eric told Peter to be careful not to step on them because they will pierce right through the sole of a tennis shoe.