A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Ordianryville
One day last summer
To be overly transparent, I have been questioning my passion for this passion lately. And yes, it’s a normal thing this time of year to feel that way. But I oddly really used WECATCHEM several times this year, as well as Stinky. Little use, and was actually happy to tuck them away. And the Willys Jeep was just a small distraction, and cars just don’t have the emotional fortitude that boats do for me. My boats give me back a soul. Cars? Working on them is fun, but after a month or so. Egh?
Fun diversion – Photo Roy Furchgott
So. I have been working on this idea I have name Ordianryville. Witch is not the final name. After all, many of these cool places were at one point playgrounds of the rich and famous. Anything but Ordinary.
How we see ourselves in a place is the best part of it all
But something kicked in when I started to read your comments and you sharing your places. I fell back in love. I wanted to GET OUT THERE, Not out of here, and get to know each place. Get to meet the folks that are these places. And yes, document them. That’s really what I love to do. I guess thats the real passion. marketing a life style that has stood the test of timeless.
This one photo captures the idea. Art, and Arts pop, and the house and it all bundled up in one image. There is a deep story here. And now, there are others that need to be saved.
Ok, you are cordially invited to come back to “where it all began” on June 21, 2025 with Art and the Michigan gang!
Get yourself something with a no-soak bottom that can tolerate trailering and hit the road.
I agree Doug, actually WECATCHEM has that, but is a beast to tow. I have been thinking that an 18 Sportsman is the go to for this sort of thing. OR? no boat and use the boats from the area. The owner etc.
That’s a great idea. The world of wood boats is so rich with history and stories it drips. Nearly every boat has an interesting story to tell and each of us, individually or a small group, know the story but most of us don’t and we’d love to hear it. A full story about Art, his family, Molly-O, his relationship with the Smith family, the Algonac area, his insights on life etc.. would be fascinating to read. There are so many interesting, not normal characters in this hobby. If we were, we’d just follow mainstream and have a new pontoon and a wake boat. I think we enjoy marching to a different beat. I think there are so many heartfelt family legacy stories that I’d love to read about. When I bought my boat at Walstrom Marine, the salesman’s Grandfather was the artist for Century Boat advertisements and they had walls at home displaying his artwork. We have legends walking around our local antique and classic boat chapters that I’d like to know more about. Each chapter knows who these individuals are but the rest of us don’t. There are also people that knew past legends that could share interesting stories to those who didn’t know them. Christopher Smith passed away just before I joined this hobby. So many knew him so well. I’m sad I never got to meet him. Last year I visited the Edison-Ford summer residence in Ft Myers, FL. On the mantle of Edison’s fireplace was a framed B&W photo of him riding in a Chris Craft. It must’ve been that important to him. Sorry I was so long winded. It sounds like a great idea. However, I still like all the Railway stories, the new finds, the decor, the projects etc.. That motivates me.
Better hurry up because we’re losing these people and locations so quickly like WW2 veterans. For 70 years my home waters was Sebago Lake where my grandfather and uncle kept their boats. Every weekend we’d drive to Frost Harbor Marina and roll back that heavy canvas on the triple and my uncles Inboard Larson while I ran up and down the docks checking out the other woodies. That telltale smell of the bilges and varnish in the boat sheds will always be a great memory, as was the trip to Frye Island where we beached for the weekend every summer. That island was bought and developed into its own town with a car ferry that could previously only be reached by boat unfortunately. Our old haunt’s days are numbered.
Deep thoughts today. I start every day with inspiration from Woodyboater. My spelling suffers but my spirit soars…or as Matt would say sores????
Want some road trip inspiration…look up the R.M. Brooks general store in Tenn. Have not been…but damn sure going. and Going Boating…soon.
John in Va.
Very nice header, thank you, I’m honored.
Matt
Per Brocks suggestion I tried to copy and paste my post it here for today…..can you do it, please.
1970 CC Ski Boat. 1933 Marble Lake Mi Cottage
I think you need to retire, buy a motorhome, tow your classic boat all over this beautiful country of ours (and Canada) going to shows, meeting characters, bathing in the ambiance that is WoodyBoater and write a book about your adventures. Not sure as Suzy would go for it though.
I think this is the kind of thing that Sandi and I would be doing if we did not have a live-aboard cruiser.
If you don’t want road rash you could even use one of those fancy enclosed trailers.
Matt, escape your winter and come to NZ late Feb early March and you can use Casper at the classic show in beautiful St Arnaud Nelson Lakes.
I loved the comments from the last couple of days! There were some truly beautiful places represented in all the photos. The old boat houses are places of wonder for me, but time has a never ending way of changing things.
Sometimes though, it amazes me how much we really have been blessed in life. Perhaps we should learn to be content in where we are at the moment, instead of searching for something we may never find.