... by the way; did I ever tell you about my friend Willie Dunlop (a Maine-iac like yerself)? He sailed his own 38 footer solo, along with the Tall Ships in 1976 across the Atlantic, and set the world record for a solo. He then built a 9'1" boat and sailed the Atlantic again, making headlines. I saw him on the Good Morning America Show, broadcasting from the UK, where Willie landed. When they asked him what he was going to do now, he answered that he going to sail back!

Willie was a real character, with earthy humor, and strong Maine accent. I had the good fortune of sailing with him on a couple of weekend trips out of Apponaug RI (sorry for the spelling). He tried sailing the world in his tiny boat, and was lost off the coast of Australia in the late 70's.

I have thought there must be a song or two about Willie and his adventures. I hope to write one one day ... but I'd reflect his fun and humor, not his loss.

Anyway, tall ships always remind me of him, and his story.