Off to the Wild Blue Yonder by boat, train, automobiles and planes…
What sailboats and toddlers have in common.
I have started a number of posts in the last few months and finished none. We have been engaged(understated way of saying overwhelmed?) with boat projects, but also shared amazing moments with family and friends in far-flung places such as Europe(Joe) and the west coast(me) as well as close by in our marina. We fit in a quick trip to Massachusetts for our granddaughter’s first birthday combined with our nephew Peter’s wedding to his sweetheart, Olivia and a few days in the Finger Lakes to celebrate our first wedding anniversary back in September. Absolutely no complaints- full of gratitude.
In early October, I spent a few days caring for my adorable granddaughter, Ryland. I stepped in as nanny while Alex traveled for work and Dustin hustled through projects. My granddaughter, formerly a good sleeper, experienced a new stage of restless nights and unpredictable naps, caused by teething and a respiratory illness. She was still completely sweet and funny; I treasured every moment.
Yet ever since then, I have been convinced of the similarities between life with a sailboat and life with a toddler. Back to that in a few paragraphs.
Cue to this rainy, foggy morning in my locale at our camp in Danby: I cannot let another milestone day slide by.
Adiona, guided by Captain Joe and able crew: our brother-in-law Walter, and friend Rob, and Jose reached Bermuda about midday Saturday, December 2. They quickly checked into St. Georges to rest, fuel and check out the rum within a stone’s throw. Our destination is still Antigua, so we shall wait and see what the weather gods bring us, guided by PredictWind and our weather router, Chris Parker.
The guys cast off from Oak Harbor Marina(Rock Creek/Pasadena, MD) on November 19. They sailed overnight, directly to Cape Charles where they were the only guests in the marina, a 119 nm shakedown cruise. That is always a good way to check all our upgrades and repairs. How we fared could be a subject for future blog posts! They did have a short repair list- go figure.
The manager loaned them the golf cart to ferry themselves to town for errands, some tasty chowder and grog. They completed a short haul to inspect and clean the hull on Tuesday, November 21 and waved one gale by from the safety of their berth.
Then it was out to sea and down to coast to Beaufort, NC on November 22, a two-day 231 nm trip, our newly sleek boat sailing greater than 9 knots(speedy for us). Adiona and her crew celebrated Thanksgiving at sea with a modest meal of deli turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce and items not divulged to those shoreside. Did they raid the “treasure chest,” our cupboard reserved for cookies, chocolate and other tasty treats? I sure hope so!
Least we feel sorry for them missing family and communal feasting, they compensated in Beaufort, including a dinner at the Beaufort Grocery, a highly esteemed restaurant. Joe’s work-list included swapping out a worn, faulty propane line while the crew replaced our new, but slippery reefing lines with the old ones that didn’t slip, inspected the decks, making sure all sharp metal edges were covered, all cotter pins strong and fast, provisioned, enjoyed hot showers, clean laundry and some safety-at-sea seminars led by the captain.
On November 27, I spoke with Joe about 830 am(1:30 pm GMT). Adiona, with crew, were already heading down the channel from Towne Creek Marina- destination Antigua. They had some rough weather the first few days, a gale that provided gusts in excess of 39 knots. A block to the jib sail broke, disappointing since we just replaced all the standing rigging, but that is a lot of wind for the boat to sustain. There were a few days of motoring, a stop to swim in the deep, blue water offshore, a sailfish that got away, and days of reading, good eating, and standing watch. The crew elected to stop in Bermuda to rest, refuel, grab some provisions and wait for the next favorable weather window. They’ve guided Adiona 1027.3 nm since leaving the yard in Passdena, 677.1 nm from Pasadena to Bermuda. Adiona is getting her miles in this year!
Back to my theme? How DOES all of this relate to life with a toddler? Those who currently live with a small person or recall of those precious-but-exhausting years may have caught the comparison in the first sentence. Life with a sailboat, as with a small person, is “predictably unpredictable.” Sailboats engender adoring and incomprehensible love and attachment, despite all the demands and challenges. Joe refers to Adiona as “the other woman;” I prefer the toddler comparison. Psychologists could have a field day, I’m sure.
So, when will Joe and crew set sail and complete the trip to Antigua? We believe within a few days, but as I am writing this on Tuesday midday, we don’t completely know. When will I fly to meet them? Still not known, but hoping for a plan by this evening when we hear more about upcoming weather. Weather. Always that weather.
Joe continues to balance his attention to Adiona, taking care of himself, and enjoying the balmier weather of Bermuda. He found a place to make a sheave(pulley with a grooved wheel that a sheet travels through) that is needed and ordered a block(a pulley and car) for the jib sail that I will tuck into my duffel. The crew is resting and effecting repairs. It is said that sailing is fixing your boat in exotic locations. Exactly.
Meanwhile, I rode the train from Baltimore to Roanoke, staying with Andris and my daughter-in-law Quina in Roanoke, VA for four nights. Then I reunited with family in Syracuse where we celebrated Thanksgiving morning with a Turkey trot, far-flung family members joining a run/walk at their respective locales. Britta and I spent a long weekend out at our camp in Danby, where I’ve been working on those things that need doing here, as well as enjoying sauna, friends and the shades of gray for which this area is known. There is even a song about it.
I continue to adjust my schedule(or my sails) to what the collective gods of land and sea send our way. Joe and I have decided, after passing the one year mark, we wouldn’t trade this unpredictable, nomadic life with Adiona for anything else right now. Yes- more time with the muse of this post, Ryland, a little more relaxation, family time and exploration would be welcome. We hope to combine all of these in the not-too-distant future.
Well written my friend, yes I see the analogy!