Lake Michigan, BNiucket List, and the Hat

by Allan LaReau (United States of America)

I didn't expect to find USA

Lake Michigan, Bucket List and the Hat Like so many who grew up and lived near Lake Michigan, for me the lake has always been awe inspiring, as well as an unlimited source of recreation and enjoyment. Also, like so many others, I had informally maintained at least a rough version of a bucket list. At the top of that bucket list was the dream of some day sailing across Lake Michigan from our cottage community of South Haven to Chicago. Our son who lives in Chicago, recalled those conversations about bucket lists as he visited with some colleagues at work. One of those colleagues was an avid sailor and enjoyed crossing the lake to and from Chicago. The dialogue evolved and a few phone calls and emails later, the boat owners, Van and Michelle, extended an invitation for us to sail with them from South Haven to Chicago in September. Coffee in hand, we boarded Shoganai (a Japanese term meaning: life is what it is), a 44 foot Hunter sailboat at the South Haven marina for our day of adventure. The vastness of the third largest of the Great Lakes is readily apparent from our bluff on the shoreline of South Haven, but within a short time on the water, we were out of sight of land. The awe of nothing but water in our 360 degree vista was even more dramatic. The sacredness and importance of this invaluable resource of 1,180 cubic miles of fresh water assumed even greater significance. The six of us on board vowed to do whatever we could to help protect the lake. I was well equipped with my fairly new floppy Tilley hat, with a wide brim to protect my 71 year old skin, and secure chin strap. After a few of hours of pleasant sailing and lively conversation, we distributed sandwiches from our favorite South Haven deli. I briefly went below for a sparkling water beverage and returned shortly. As I rose from the galley, a wind gust quickly caught the wide brim of my Tilley, the chin strap having not been retightened. The hat bounded overboard in the wake of our boat. The other 5 sailors gazed at the image of the floating hat (Tilleys are buoyant) quickly fading from view. I asked captain Van how difficult it might be to turn around a 44 foot sailboat under full sail to retrieve my hat. His terse reply: “quite difficult!” I secured my back up cap, lamenting not securing the chin strap on my Tilley, as we continued on from our position in the middle of Lake Michigan toward Chicago After returning home, I thought about unsecured chin straps and the loss of my Tilley hat and realized its value for rain and sun protection, as well as its sentimental value. I recalled that inside the hat in an area provided, I had written with permanent marker my name and phone number. Longshots not withstanding, about two weeks later, I received a text on my phone from Barrett, good Samaritan, and my newest BFF, from Lafayette, Indiana. He was visiting Holland, Michigan, walking the beach and found a soggy Tilley hat stuck to a piece of driftwood along the shore. He was kind enough to reach out to its owner and said that he would be happy to mail the hat to me. Themes of prevailing winds, as well as serendipity and kindness filled my mind. Before I learned that my original Tilley would be returning home from its long journey, I contacted the Tilley company in Toronto. I am now the grateful owner of two quality Tilley wide brimmed hats. Some small lessons learned; -Maintain some version of a bucket list. -Cultivate a respect and love for our natural resources, especially the Great Lakes -Enjoy new experiences, especially those shared with others. -When purchasing things, buy from companies that offer quality products, good service and respect for the environment (like Tilley and Toad). -Whenever a chin strap is available in your hat, or your life…use it -Have faith in the generosity and kindness of others. -Shoganai (life is what it is)!