May/June 2004

Dry Land Sailing

Dedicated friends deepen bonds during weekend treasure hunts

by Betsy DiJulio

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. As one segment of the population downsizes, another segment “upsizes.” Nowhere is this universal law of physics better demonstrated than in driveways and front yards across America. The particular phenomenon is known as the “yard sale,” the “garage sale,” or, thanks to Martha Stewart, the “tag sale” (or maybe “cell sale”).

For one subset of society, the first hints of warm weather signal “spring cleaning” and the opportunity to divest themselves of treasures that have somehow turned to trash. Meanwhile, another whole subculture starts getting itchy for “sailing season.” It’s hard to believe, but many of the early-rising sunscreen- and sunglasses-wearing folks bearing sturdy tote bags and cruising in large vehicles on warm Saturday mornings are not headed for Hampton Roads beaches and marinas. Nope. They have a different kind of sailing in mind. “Garage sailing.”

Remarks veteran garage sailor, Ellen McBride, a copywriter and owner of McBride Creative, “It’s amazing what people don’t want anymore.” While many diehards like McBride have for decades reaped the particular rewards that garage sailing affords, others, according to her pal and veteran sailor Becky Bump, “equate it with digging at the city dump.”

For the rest of this story, you can order the May/June 2004 issue of Hampton Roads Magazine.