Thursday, April 21, in Lorain, Ohio. The forecasts are calling for clearing and gradual warming, but at 8:30 in the morning when I arrive at Spitzer Riverside Marina, it is 42°F, dark, and overcast with wind gusts approaching 40 mph. I am scheduled to launch Valhalla, my 1977 Cape Dory 30, today.
The first thing I do is walk toward the marina office, the tiny, dark space carved out of the warehouse with boat rack storage, an old couch, and a desk from 100 years ago. But before I get there, I see a 10-year-old silver SUV parked at the edge of the paved area in front of the warehouse. The front bumper is nearly
