Michael Rock Finally Discovers the Lure of the Sea After Mesmerizing Ride

Next month it will be 26 years since I moved to the SouthCoast to accept my job at Fun 107. All that time living here on the SouthCoast, it seems unfathomable that last night was the very first time I saw any part of the SouthCoast from the water.

Unlike myself, my son has taken full advantage of living here on the water, especially this summer. He has spent the summer fishing off the wharf with his buddies almost every night. Combined with his birthday money, he somehow sold enough junk from his room on Craigslist to buy a 50-year-old skiff boat with a motor from the '90s.

For the past month, he has set his alarm each morning to wake up and work on restoring that boat like it is his job. He studied for and earned his boating license. He got some very valuable guidance from my next door neighbor, but other than that, this was a project he tackled all on his own.

Get our free mobile app

A solid month later, last night he was ready to launch his boat.

He took my next door neighbor and me out for his maiden voyage into the harbor. It was nearly 5:30, but it was still about 90 degrees on the shore. "We're going to bake out there," I thought. I couldn't have been more wrong.

The sunset cruise was outstanding. The temperature was perfect, and the salt air was invigorating as it filled my lungs with life. The cruise was so incredibly relaxing after a long day.

My son had brought fishing rods. I declined at first, but then decided to cast a few. It was so enjoyable, so nice to unplug and have carefree conversation. By the end of the night, my only regret was that I had allowed 26 years to pass before taking a boat ride in the harbor.

I swear, I even slept better last night than I have in months. Hopefully, this was the first of many harbor excursions, and a new way to bond with my son.