[S1:E4] With regard to the "Winter Boating" segment, I want everyone to know that I "eat my own cooking." I'm not laying on my couch, during the winter months, with my favorite blanket over me (the one my Grandmother quilted), reading a book or watching a movie (which is a huge part of my life), while I tell you folks you should get off your asses and get out on the water. Honest! This time I'm telling the truth. Really! If you've seen our "Pelican Sailing" segment, you learned that being on the water during the cold and dark months of winter is certainly part of my life. A "pelican" is a small, 12-foot sailboat and we race them all winter long. The pelican fleet races every other Saturday, September through April. Rain, shine, hail, snow, whatever... we're out there! I remember, a few years ago, we had one of those rare, super-cold snaps. I believe it was zero or slightly below zero for a few days. One early Saturday morning, my neighbor Diane opens her window and yells, "Your not serious? You're going sailing!," as she watched us pull my boat out of the garage and hook her up to the truck. We had a race at Holmes Harbor on Whidbey Island that day and we were not missing out! Now remember, this is a tiny, 12-foot, open boat, with no cozy cabin to crawl into. We also take a few cruises during the winter, where we all sail to a destination, have a barbecue and sail back. I think it all comes down to attitude and good clothing. These days, the outdoor clothing is amazing! If you know what you need to have, you can be outside, on the water, in the mountains, on the golf course, walking the beach, etc., all winter long in total comfort. I find winter in the Pacific Northwest, especially on or the near the water, every bit as beautiful and more far more dramatic than the summer. Different, but still beautiful and far more secluded. Give me a bit of rain, wind or snow over a crowd of people any day! No lines at the boat ramp. No loud jerks to ruin the atmosphere. Just you, your friends and family surrounded by Northwest beauty and sailing. What's not to like? The truth is, this "Winter Boating" segment was supposed to be a knot-tying episode. But we got to the dock and said to ourselves, "screw it," lets get out there! It was the shortest day of year, the winter solstice and we had and amazing day winter boating! I often give a lot of advice to others that, in no way, am I going to adhere to myself. Like, "don't eat a lot of sugar and carbohydrates!" And I grab a loaf of french bread, a beer and a box of Oreos minutes after professing such insightful advice. But, with regard to "Winter Boating," I'm out there. I am! Really! Now that we've had this little talk, please pass me the Oreos... Chip Hanauer, The Boat Guy