I couldn't stand it anymore, she had to get wet. Everything is waterproof, the oars are ready, the locks leathered, PFD's arranged, let's go. Besides, I thought I would test the position of the oarlocks before I painted, in case they had to be moved.

It was also a chance to teach rowing to my teenage son. One thing I realized-the last time I rowed (rather than paddled) anything, Johnson was in the White House.

Sure enough, I got the locks about 5 inches too far astern. Easy to fix though.