My Dad was a big fan of the Wizard of Oz, and almost anything Sci-Fi… particularly the classics, like Dr. Who,  Star Trek, War of The Worlds, When Worlds Collide, etc.  I am so happy I had time to watch some of these favorite movies with him in the last few months. The time I spent with Dad recently is precious and I’ll never forget it.

Dad really is a great man who touched many lives. The outpouring of appreciation from his former students and colleagues has been enlightening, comforting and re-assures me that everything Dad worked so hard for was worth it. It seems he truly earned the title of “Life Changer”.

Here is the obituary as is — so hard to write a short piece on such a great life, such a great Dad.

Clifford Kapps Eriksen
Date of Death: Thursday, December 2, 2010

Clifford Kapps Eriksen, 74, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 2, 2010 at the Woodward Home in Keene, New Hampshire.

Born February 18, 1936 in Brooklyn, New York to Louis Eriksen and Frances Kapps Eriksen, Clifford was an exceptional student. He attended Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn NY, and went on to graduate Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in English from The College of William and Mary and a Masters in Liberal Studies from Wesleyan University.

Clifford was a passionate educator, dedicating his 41-year career to the education of thousands of students from all walks of life. Clifford met Elsa Hess while teaching English at the Foreman School in Litchfield, CT and they married in 1962.

He went on to teach at the Winchendon School (Winchendon, MA), and Chapel Hill School (Waltham, MA). As Headmaster of The Knox School (Saint James, NY) for twenty-nine years, Clifford fully developed and implemented his educational philosophy which was based on love, structure and well-rounded enrichment. He would often say, “I am a full-time father of two and a part-time father to hundreds.” He was an active member of the Clamdiggers (Long Island Heads of School), and the Nissequogue Point Beach Club.

Clifford was very active in his local Christian Science Churches; acted as pastor, addressed many associations, and published numerous articles in Christian Science periodicals.

In 2000, Clifford and Elsa retired to their lovely home in East Alstead, NH where they enjoyed their freedom, cats, garden and their time on Lake Warren.

He is survived by two sons: Benjamin Eriksen of Huntington, NY, and Timothy Eriksen and his wife Magdalena of Amherst, MA, and his two beloved grandchildren: Luka and Anja Eriksen of Amherst, MA. He is predeceased by his wife, Elsa Hess Eriksen, and his two brothers, Joel Eriksen and Charles Lachenmeyer.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to The Clifford K. Eriksen Administration Center Building Fund at The Knox School, Saint. James, NY.

A memorial service will be held at The Knox School in the Spring of 2011.

All of a sudden it’s 26º every night here in NY. The engine is not winterized yet, I didn’t get a chance to fill up my water tanks before the marina shut off the water and I don’t have winter cover built yet. Oh well. I’m keeping the boat at a tolerable 57º right now. I have a small blanket I keep on my lap, which really helps increase the comfort level and eases the back tension.

A few winter alteration photos here to get you in the mood. The bubble wrap on the portholes, helps me feel like I’m insulated, without sacrificing natural light. An electric heater (with thermostat AND timer!) which makes a gurgling sound leads me to believe I’m warmer then I really am, and the foil/bubble insulation in the skylight screen… helps keep in those extra few degrees the heater puts out. New additions today are a perfect fit foil insulation at the main companionway …just a lucky cut; and some small runner-carpets on the sole.

A year ago today I was in Vero Beach, and enjoyed a lovely dinner out with my friends Maxwell & Jen… who are now in the Carribean on their Baba 35… check their blog out… it’s helping to keep me sane (keeping my head in the game) this winter.

This is a public announcement: THIS IS THE LAST WINTER I WILL SPEND UP NORTH ON MY BOAT!

It began as a way to get to a french parlaying-land without crossing the big pond… destination: St. Pierre and Miquelon, two French islands right here on my own continent, Allons-y!  Then, in mid-conjugation of aller in the passé composé, I exclaimed, “Zut Alors! There are icebergs nearby!” And thus the quest commenced: Can I see an iceberg from the deck of my boat? I wonder. Oops, too late, the dusty old cogs have been set in motion, and my brain is up and running. I’ve learned to just let that rusty hunk of junk upstairs go once it gets started… it’s a delicate process and I don’t want to derail it before the coal car is empty.

Icebergs and French: Summer 2011.

Lots to do to prepare for a trip up north. Only 6 months till I cast off my lines for some of the coldest, foggiest waters on the planet. But most of those months will be spent snow covered in sub-freezing temperatures, shivering aboard Elizabeth, drinking tea, fussing with my kerosene heater, while dying a slow death from mild CO poisoning. Gosh, hope I make it.

It’s a fairly long trip up to Iceberg Alley, and we need to be there as early as possible. May is the peak month for icebergs. Don’t let May flowers fool you, it’s damn cold in May out on the water… no flowers out there, that’s for sure. In Newfoundland, the ryme goes: April snow-showers bring May growlers.

So, while today I think about winter covers, and the weight of wet snow on my frame… ce soir I’ll dream about dodging growlers at night, in the fog. And tomorrow, I’ll try to get started on a plan, cuz im ‘Berg Bound’!

…As I type this. It’s 35º this morning. I’m moored in Huntington, waiting for more boats to get hauled out so that dock space becomes available for my winter berth. The Kerosene heater is cranking out as many BTUs as it can, it’s currently 41º in the cabin. I’m burning the extra refined kerosene fuel which runs about $10/gallon at the local hardware store, but it’s worth it. No odor, no smoke. Maybe today I’ll finally get that carpet for the cabin sole I’ve been meaning to get for weeks.

There’s definitely been a shift from water to land in my life. I spend the majority of my time ashore, and driving it seems. With my weekly 600 mile trips to New Hampshire to see my Dad, I decided it’d be best to invest a fuel efficient vehicle. I picked up a 2001 Volkswagon TDI. So far it’s been great. I’ve been averaging about 1k miles per week… which means I fill up about twice a week. Way too much driving. The heat works, which is a real nice upgrade for me! I figure I spend alot of time in the car, so I’m investing in a few little bells and whistles to further enhance to the Fahrvergnügen. A Garmin GPS and an Ipod adaptor. Now I just “need” an Iphone so I can run the GasBuddy app and find those diesel stations during fuel shortage emergencies.

Before my attentions were stolen by the new car and other lubberly pursuits, I did manage to get a few coats of interior varnish laid. I think I should be able to carry on throughout the winter with the interior varnish project… keeping the cabin at 55º once at the dock should be no trouble, using the electric heater. I’m using my favorite Epifanes Rapid Clear. It’s semi gloss with UV protection. I like the way the semi gloss brightens the cabin so far… and I’m filling in some of the grain forming a smooth, easy-to-clean surface.

Other news:

The Air Breeze crapped out on me. I sent it back for warranty repair which took about 2 weeks. I re-mounted it the other day. Funnily enough, it still doesn’t work. Same symptoms – no power, no blinking light, it starts up, then brakes suddenly, causing a shudder throughout the boat, then starts back up and the cycle begins again. Very annoying to be around. I’m pissed.

I’m back to the gym and running. I was about 10lbs overweight, after a lethargic summer, too many cookies while Rick was here and just general apathy about my health. I’ve been able to run regularly, which is new for me. I had been getting muscle tears and horrible pain in my calves. I finally learned that this old mans body MUST stretch before and after running now… as a kid, I never really needed to. I’ve decided to train for my third marathon. I’m thinking destination marathon this time, perhaps France this spring.

This is a guest post by Rick Patton, fellow blog reader and crew aboard Elizabeth for our Long Island Cruise. Rick tells it like it is from a “newbie” perspective. Thanks Rick!

At 3:30 on the 18th I called Ben on my cell to let him know I’d arrived. The timing was perfect as I stepped out of the airport, Ben was rounding the corner in his green VW. I knew it was him instantly even though we’d never met. As we drove to Huntington Harbor we talked as if we known each other for 20 years.  We stopped for provisions for the trip and found we both liked pretty much the same things, and we were not going to go hungry!

I just knew when we arrived at the harbor I’d be able to pick out Elizabeth, but to my dismay I could not find her. We boarded the harbor launch and weaved our way out to her mooring. Halfway out I spotted her and she’s more beautiful than her pictures. When we boarded it was like déja vu, I’d been here before, in pictures. It was comfortable being in Ben’s home he gave me the 50 cent tour and showed me my berth on the starboard setee, it even had a hole (opening) so my legs could stretch out when I laid down.  Slept like a baby the whole trip…
We departed Huntington Harbor around noon on the 19th. We slipped our mooring and motored out of the harbor. It was a great Sunday and lots of weekend boaters were out.  Ben let me take her out of the harbor and into Long Island Sound. You have to understand I’m a newbie at this and all the boat traffic made me pay close attention to my driving. I did see Ben keeping an eye on me to make sure everything went smoothly.  Ben is a great teacher with lots of patience.

Ben pretty much gave a day to day update of our passage in the past two posts. I just want to tell you how incredible it was. I’ve sailed everyday in my mind but in reality I’ve never even spent the night on a sailboat until this trip. We encountered everything from dead calm to maybe 3 foot seas, and even a lightening storm. I found it exhilarating except when I went below decks…instant stomach roll over. I was fine on deck, so when the seas built I found myself on deck most of the time, loved it, we even buried the rail and that made my eyes go wide, then I realized Elizabeth would take care of us.

I don’t know how many of you know that Ben is a musician. He plays the drums.  What he is famous for however, is being able to make sound come out of his body that would fill an orchestra pit and I do mean PIT!!!  When the boat would fill with the sounds of his orchestra, all the hatches and ports would have to be opened to let the sound out!!!  With the addition of my own orchestra, the sounds were combined which created a unique experience that I won’t soon forget!

Ben is also known the world over as the cookie monster. He made the most fantastic cookies ever.  While we were sailing he would go below to the galley and bake home made cookies. The aroma would drift up the hatch to the cockpit and the cookies would be irresistible. I gained 2 pounds just on cookies.

On the 24th of September we dropped sails for the last time and motored back into Huntington Harbor. I felt sad that the adventure was coming to an end. Then I realized that I had just made a friend for life. It was cool to have a young man teach and show an older one so many wonderful and new things. I will never forget.

Sag Harbor is lovely in the shoulder season. No crowds. I like to anchor outside the breakwater to the east in about 10′ of water, but it’s a tad far from the dinghy dock. I sold my outboard in Miami. I row exclusively. The Fatty Knees 7′ dinghy rows about as fast as it motored. What a superb rowing machine. It can be a bit wet in a wake or a chop, due to low freeboard, but in relatively flat water, she is a dream.

Rick has a real fetish for seafood. The Dockhouse, right on the town wharf in Sag satisfies every time. Lobster Roll was the satiator this time. Here’s Rick gobbling down his lunch time L.R. [and chowder] in finest form.

The morning after our fantastic dinner with Gene and Michelle, we took a quicky tour of Audacious, Billy Joel’s boat, and then sailed off the hook with a double reef in the main and the stays’l. It was blowing a weak 20knots. I was probably a little under canvased for the down wind run towards Plum Gut.

Current… it’s either with you or it’s against you. Often it’s totally with you in the A.M., cheering you on to victory, only to pull a bi-polar disorder on you in the P.M. and be totally against you… squashing any chance of a win. As we sailed through Plum Gut, the water between Orient Point and Plum Island, the tide changed and the ebb began. At the same time, as often happens, the wind began to die. We had plans to sail nearly due north to the Connecticut River. But the current had other plans for us… out to sea via The Race, then onto Block Island. We made a valiant effort to resist the currents push, but found ourselves literally going backwards, even as we made headway through the water at 1 knot. It’s like running on a treadmill that’s going just a little too fast for comfort. And if the earth was flat like a treadmill, we would have probably fallen off the back.

Yanmar to the rescue. We motored bravely towards the Connecticut River with plans to head up to Essex – supposed to a cute old new england style town with lots of history. Indeed it was. We anchored on the east side of the river in 11′ of water and rowed directly across to the Essex Boat Works dinghy dock, for a walkabout town…which accidently turned into dinner ashore at Griswolds. Once again the seafood options got the better of Rick, and I wasn’t going to object to clams casino and some shrimp cocktail, and then another order of clams casino! Great stop up in Essex, worth the trip.

September IS great cruising up here in New York. Rick Patton a fellow reader of this blog flew out to join me for a week long sail. With no particular destination, some good autumn winds and a fantastic forecast, we left Huntington and set an eastward course.

Well, I guess we went food shopping beforehand, and fueled up, and took on water, oh and pumped out the holding tank. So, while checking the oil before firing up, I noticed a leak at the Racor fuel filter. The drain screw was leaking slightly. I went to tighten it — SNAP. Sheered the plastic screw right off… a steady stream of diesel made its way to the bilge. Typical.  This is how all good trips begin… with a little test of your skills, a warning, a curveball, a pop quiz… a keep-you-on-your-toes moment.

Drain the bowl. Call the local chandlery. Go ashore. Root through the various boxes of plastic screws, bronze screws etc… Wait for the owner to go “in the back” and amazingly – find the replacement part is in stock… ordered many years ago for a customer, but never picked up. One hour later, back aboard Elizabeth, Racor full, not leaking, engine running. Easy Bake Oven baking. Ooh I just love the Plaza.

New Haven, CT seemed like a fine destination as we motored eastward at 5 knots. The wind had peetered out as the day drew on, and the sun was setting fast. It’ll be an easy anchorage to approach in the dark, I thought. The wind was forecast to go Northerly overnight and increase to 15-20kts. I wanted a spot protected from the southerly swell AND the northerly wind. Morris Cove in New Haven fit the bill well.

Day 2: What a fantastic sail we had in 15-20, with gusts to 25kts. Set double reef in the main, and stays’l. Haul back anchor. Sail off hook. We made our way out of New Haven, and set a course to hug the Connecticut shore, where we could stay in the lee, avoiding the building waves further out in the Sound. We buried the rail a few times as the wind gusted to 25 or more. The look on Rick’s face… priceless. His death grip on the tiller… inspiring. My hair blowing in the breeze… gorgeous. Ship’s speed… 6.5kts.

The day ended at a lovely anchorage in Peconic Bay, tucked into the lee of Cutchogue, NY. Engine hours: 0. We made a split pee soup and apple caesar salad, and relaxed our tired, wind and sun burnt bodies. Rick was fast asleep by 2030… a new record aboard Elizabeth.

Tiller Pilot is still broken. It was sent in for warranty work once already this summer, but came back dysfunctional. Great customer service – prompt and helpful, but solve the problem they did not. It’s a Simrad TP32. Symptom: Go below for snack, or to check chart, come back on deck to find boat 70º off course.

Running from Nevercane Earl has brought me to Long Island, NY… a wretched hive of scum and villainy, and has put me that much farther (3 additional days) from Maine… The Promised Land.

The combo platter described above has led me to cancel my sail to Maine this year. Once again, I will not be going to Roque, or Jonesport. There is however, grumbling amongst the tribe about a 2 month cruise to Newfoundland next summer… so that might make up for it.

So… anchored in the familiar waters of Stony Brook Harbor, my ancestral fishing grounds, I am spending time adjusting to a new/old life living aboard in the burbs of NYC. Let me just say, that “New York State Of Mind” you’ve probably heard about… it sucks. I’ll grow numb just like the rest of them soon enough, but at least I know what it’s like on the outside.

But on a happier note… I “fixed” my droopy license plate problem on the VW. Zipties for the win.

Can’t seem to help myself… every year I need a fix of the good old Maine – The Promised Land, as dubbed by my college roomate so long ago. Six days aboard the Lewis R. French this past June was just an appetizer. I’m headed back for a full meal in a few weeks. For years I’ve had a goal to sail past Schoodic Point. I did make it past, back in 2007, with my Nor’sea Chamois, but just barely. I circumnavigated The Petit Manan Lighthouse, and anchored in Corea. Hardly a sufficient effort. This will be Elizabeth’s first trip to Maine… wait, is that right? Hard to believe, but yes… it will be.

I’m planning a few pitstops. First will be Provincetown, MA to pick up Rosie and Darrah for the overnight trip to Penobscot Bay. Then it’s on to Lamoine, ME to grab Paul Bowden for a few days. In the midst of this, I hope to find the Lewis R. French for a night at anchor together, and hopefully, a yummy breakfast cooked on the ship’s wood burning stove.  There has also been talk amongst a few fellow BCCs: Itchen and Dawn B, to try and meet up somewhere in the Bay for a night or two.

From there I plan to head downeast – solo, and explore the harbors of Narraguagus and Englishman Bays, with proposed anchorages at Jonesport, Roque and Great Wass.  I have not seen the forbidden territory East of Schoodic since 1991, when I sailed aboard the bright topsided, S&S yawl Aquilla, owned by the Windels family. This will be a treat.

After my solo jaunt, it’s back to Mt. Desert to pick up a blog-follower, Rick Patton for a week of sailing towards Portland, ME. And then from there, towards home via Portsmouth, NH where I’ll meet up with BCC Talaris. I won’t be heading back to Martha’s Vineyard this winter, nor will I be making way for Miami or other warm climates. No, I’m heading to another place I call home… Long Island, NY. A wretched hive of…

If this was a car wash, I’d be getting the Basic: bottom paint, compound/wax, zincs, varnish rudder cheeks. Hauling on the railway at Gannon & Benjamin is always a treat… a sandy, listful treat. I’m concerned the boat might just list over at any moment…  jack stands in the sand… endless hours of amusement.

Last year I used Micron Extra paying a hefty price per gallon and I thought it fouled rather quickly. I had some serious barnacle farms down there. This time, I went with West Marine CPP -  one of the least expensive alternatives I could find. The CPP is actually Petit Ultima SSA paint. I bet it will perform as well as (or rather, better than) the Interlux Micron Extra, but for 1/3 the price. Oh, I did raise the waterline 1″ this year, making for about 3.5″ of raised waterline total since I bought her.

Interesting tid bit here about extending life of zincs… very useful for my Max Prop… Use nail polish around screw holes to reduce wear… cool! Extend the life of Max Prop Zincs

I do need a longer haul soon… Cutlass Bearing is a bit sloppy, and I’ve got some blisters at the waterline that need to be ground, dried and epoxied. Sad.

This haulout has been fueled by The Art Cliff Truck.