What To Get Your Father For Father's Day.....

Ever wonder about the history of Father's Day. Here is something I learned and I am glad I know this now since I am so much into history. Sonora Dodd of Washington State, first had the idea of a father's day when listening to a Mother's Day sermon back in 1909. She wanted that special day to honor her father, William Smart. Smart, who was a Civil War veteran was widowed when his wife died while giving birth to their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the baby and the other five children by himself on a rural farm in Washington State.

Good story, isn't it. I was wondering about Fathers Day gifts just the other day and then it dawned on me that I could get him a gift basket. Those gift baskets have chocolates, nuts, wines and cheeses. It is all just the thing for my father. I wish I could be there just to see his face when he opens it.

On another note when I bought some fish from the store the other day, I was thinking how I really never got into fishing and how hard the professional fishermen work just to keep up our seafood supply.

Things are now more advanced thus making it safer. Mariners can now get free electronic downloads of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Raster Navigational Charts. Those charts are digitally scanned images of paper nautical charts used by mariners for navigation.

Charles Challstrom, who is the acting assistant administrator for NOAA's oceans and coasts said "The raster navigational charts contribute to safe, efficient, and environmentally sound marine transportation." He also stated that "By providing these chars for free, NOAA offers easy access to mariners to make navigation safer in US waters."

At Northeast Marine Electronics, they carry all the electronics for camping, hiking, fishing, and boating as well as fish finders.

The nautical charts are available at http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov .

It is good to know that the professional fishermen don't struggle like they use to.