Guenter Arlt
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| The call came unexpectedly.
He always surprised us by a phone call at unexpected seasons and times of the day. Nothing pressing to say, just a warm greeting to see how we were and possibly inquire about our sailing plans. Guenter was like that. So the phone conversation always lasted longer than intended and shifted into unplanned topics. |
| We met in the North Channel as fellow Dovekie sailors, every day spending some time to share impressions, difficulties, and celebrating the simple achievements- such as how we got around that point, or what had to be done to make it through that current, or when did you reef. Dovekie talk. Towing a Klepper gave Guenter a challenge that most Dovekie sailors would not accept. |
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His values were certainly mainstream SWS: not in a hurry; savoring the everchanging shoreline; relishing an intimate, close-up and personal relationship with nature; delighting in that magic that comes from sailing a small craft. Both Sundowner and even his decked-out van echoed his gypsy spirit. |
| We spent hours one unsailable day tossing around the
political / philosophical issues others might avoid, "because you can't
change anything." Sometimes it's important to discuss what's important. Not infected with being politically correct, he told the truth. You knew that his comments were genuine. |
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| So when told that we had a scary midnight encounter,
Guenter was the detective we needed the next morning. He came
over in his kayak, discovered bear-sign all around the shoreline near us,
examined the tooth marks on the hatch, and thrilled us with stories of
his bear experiences. Later he sent a video to prove it. He
loved the wilderness.
It seems just a few months ago he called, the usual. It was great. Sandy and I talked of inviting him to a winter party we were planning - but he lived so far away. The call always comes unexpectedly. |