By Scott Shephard

A couple of days ago I posted a photo to Instagram that I took a few minutes after Deb and I pulled our Catalina 250WK Wandering Star off of the water at Lake Oahe for another season. The photo, which also showed up on facebook, engendered a few expressions of sadness. I realize that my friends weren't feeling sorry for me so much as for the fact that taking a boat off the water is a symbol of the end of summer. And, in South Dakota, that can be sad.

But, in the event that anyone is feeling sorry for me, don't. Consider these factoids

• I spent 29 nights on Wandering Star
• I spent all or most of 27 days navigating the wonderful waters of Oahe
• On average, I covered around 30 miles a day
• I sailed (and occasionally motored her) 810 miles this summer
• 810 miles is the distance from Sioux Falls to Rapid City. Twice. And then add a trip from Sioux Falls to Mitchell.
• My average speed was 4.2 miles an hour which equals . . .
• 193 hours of pure joy

So I'm ready to put the boat away for another season. And now I'm shifting my attention to other things. Such as my snowblower, which has been sitting patiently in the back garage, waiting for another winter . . . .

Canon 5DII 1/250s f/10.0 ISO500 24mm