Morning

I love getting a super early start. The groan leaks from my mind as the alarm drags me into consciousness. Headlamp, warm clothing, shoes. Electronics on, nav light, steaming light, then into the cockpit. It's a quiet start, calm water, no breeze. I start the engine. Chuck readies the anchor. I'm bathed in moonlight, waiting. Idle adjust. Okay, he says. Go, I say. I throttle up, hear the chain start to run. There's a glow on the eastern horizon. I wait. The windlass labors for a moment, then runs freely. It tells me the anchor has been pulled out of the muck on the bottom. The boat is maneuverable. I slowly steer toward the mouth of the harbor. There's the final clunk of the anchor pulled onto the bow roller. Chuck's headlight continues to bob as he ties the anchor down, then comes aft. All well? I ask. Yup. The day is on.