A friend recently wrote in his blog of a metaphor for climbing a mountain: the pursuit of the top being more important, and not actually reaching the top being the true essence of the experience. Of course I’m paraphrasing with my own take. He much more eloquently conveys the concept with quoted poetry and commentary. (See link at the end).
Cruisers’ Mecca.
In any case, he captures our approach toward long distance cruising, and travels on our boat. Sure, we’ve equipped it with amenities for comfort and safety, to be truly self-sufficient for any long ocean voyage. She’s ruggedly built but can still move efficiently. So, we’re ready in any case.
Without further digressing, my point here is that we’re sailing where and when based on our present collective feelings, and enjoying the experience as we go. It’s pure freedom to explore anywhere there’s water. Sure, I’d love to set and reach that pinnacle poetic goal of “sailing around the world”, but that’s not our goal right now. Yup, that may have been our goal for a while, and maybe it will be again. I don’t fret about it; it’s not a failure or shortcoming. There’s no fear of going for it; sailing around the world just isn’t our focus right now.
Our travel goals do evolve annually. We keep talking of new places every year. Lately we’re looking at one-year itineraries, and they tend to focus on where we can travel, yet to also safely leave Fayaway and tend to a full spectrum of events between family emergency and personal achievement. An illness or graduation or wedding? Or Grandchildren? Probably not any time soon, but you get the point.
For now we simply are going north in the summer, reaching further each time, basking and soaking, not only in cooler breezes during ever-hotter summer, but in the clearest warm Caribbean water during winter. Sure, it’s serious work getting back and forth. But for now the dog watches are worth continually make new friends and see new places, regardless of how nearby or far fetched they are.
This week we’re anchored in Annapolis again, meeting with cruising friends - old and new. Full immersion in sailing life here! Next week we’ll continue south down the Chesapeake Bay to Virginia for rendezvous with members of the Ocean Cruising Club. And then…
Enjoy your day!
SV Fayaway 