We left Naples Friday and made a short sail down the coast to Marco Island. On Saturday we left port at 7am and sailed all day and through the night until we arrived in Key West Sunday around 11am. It was wonderful!
I have always imagined what it would be like to be so far out, no land in sight for hours and then what it would feel like to sail through the night with darkness all around. But you can only imagine, then your there in it...and you think I could never imagine the feeling that I am having right now, because your imagination doesn't do it justice.
We took shifts through the night and I could barely sleep because I was so absorbed in the beauty of the night. As I lay tucked in my sleeping bag watching the top of the sails and mast track along side Orion, I kept having to remind myself where I was....in the middle of the ocean, all alone and nothing but occasional dolphins who ran along side us, the stars, clouds and moon. I dosed in and out of sleep until I took the helm at 230am for my shift. Steering the boat feels like a form of meditation because you find a point in the horizon if their is one to line up with and focus on it. Luckily, we were close enough to land by that time that I could line the bow spirit(pointy thing on front of boat) up with the a little flashing red beacon. Its a bit hypontizing cause you are constantly dipping over the waves and focusing on just that light. The coolest was how it seems like the night will never end and all of a sudden day breaks and the darkness fades....just nature reminding us once again that there must be darkness to have light and vice versa.
We celebrated my birthday here in Key West...that is whole other post in itself with pictures and everything. Right now the winds are not in our favor to head to our next destination, so we are hanging in Key West and doing day sails and diving. I went down today for the first time in 4 years...it felt great to be under the water again.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Back in Naples
I bid Ft. Myer's farewell last night and spent the night on the boat here in Naples. It felt good to be back at my floating home and to see Cap't Roy again. He has gone down to Key West today to pick up Yvonne and her kayak and the plan is to head out tomorrow. I have how to both believe that things will go as planned, yet not get attached to if they really do. Naples is a nice place and I have already scoped out some good places to visit, should our departure be delayed. They have a wildlife rescue here, some nice shopping, a yoga studio, and some great little coffee shops.
Today visited nearly every pawn and thrift shop in town looking for a deal on a wet suit. None were found but I picked up two movies, a straw hat, a bag for $5 bucks and almost bought a bong and seriously wanted to buy a set of beautiful congo drums. I was surprised to see so many drums, is it just Florida or do lots of pawn shops in Texas have drums? I passed on the drums knowing there was no way to get those suckers home with me and ended up getting a brand new wet suit that cost more then I wanted to spend....so I sang "Happy Birthday to me....." to make myself feel better. My 29th b-day in 5 days....wonder where I will be. Hopefully on the water. Spring Break is happening here......I had the pleasure of watching a "Booty Shaking Contest" on the beach yesterday....some of those girls should be professionals, they sure could shake it!
That's about all for now....if you don't hear from me for a while, that means we are sailing!!!! The first stop is the Dry Tortugas, which is known for its amazing diving.
Lots of love to all!
Today visited nearly every pawn and thrift shop in town looking for a deal on a wet suit. None were found but I picked up two movies, a straw hat, a bag for $5 bucks and almost bought a bong and seriously wanted to buy a set of beautiful congo drums. I was surprised to see so many drums, is it just Florida or do lots of pawn shops in Texas have drums? I passed on the drums knowing there was no way to get those suckers home with me and ended up getting a brand new wet suit that cost more then I wanted to spend....so I sang "Happy Birthday to me....." to make myself feel better. My 29th b-day in 5 days....wonder where I will be. Hopefully on the water. Spring Break is happening here......I had the pleasure of watching a "Booty Shaking Contest" on the beach yesterday....some of those girls should be professionals, they sure could shake it!
That's about all for now....if you don't hear from me for a while, that means we are sailing!!!! The first stop is the Dry Tortugas, which is known for its amazing diving.
Lots of love to all!
The first "Last Night" in Ft. Myer's
BELOW:Roy's family (Shelly & Ryan) and Yvonne
Arm-balances can be good party tricks!
The Funnies Page
One of the things I look forward to each week in Ft. Myer's is the publication of The Island Sand Paper. This local paper has the greatest Funnies Page.....I have decided to share my favorite one so far.
The IRS decided to audit Grandpa, and summons him to the IRS office. The IRS auditor was not surprised when Grandpa showed up with his attorney.
The auditor said, "Well, sir, you have an extravagant lifestyle and no full-time employment, which you explain by saying that you win money gambling. I'm not sure the IRS finds that believable."
"I'm a great gambler, and I can prove it," says Grandpa. "How about a demonstration?"
The auditor agrees and Grandpa says, "I'll bet you a thousand dollars that I can bite my own eye." The auditor thinks for a moment and says "It's a bet."
Grandpa removes his glass eye and bites it. The auditor's jaw drops and Grandpa says, "Now, I'll bet you two thousand dollars that I can bite my other eye." Now the auditor can tell Grandpa isn't blind, so he takes the bet.
Grandpa removes his dentures and bites his good eye. The stunned auditor now realizes he has wagered and lost three grand with Grandpa's attonery as a witness. He starts to get nervous.
"Want to go double or nothing?" Grandpa asks, "I'll bet you six thousand dollars that I can stand on one side of your desk, and pee into the wastebasket on the other side and never get a drop anywhere in between."
The auditor, twice burned, is cautious now, but he looks carefully and decides there's no way this old guy could possibily manage that stunt, so he agrees again.
Grandpa stands besides the desk and unzips his pants, but although he strains mightly, he can't make the stream reach the wastebasket on the other side, so he pretty much urinates all over the auditor's desk.
The auditor leaps with joy, realizing that he has just turned a major loss into a huge win. But Grandpa's own attorney moans and puts his head in his hands.
"Are you okay?" the auditor asks. "Not really," says the attorney. "This morning, when Grandpa told me he'd been summoned for an audit, he bet me twenty-five thousand dollars that he could come in here and pee all over your desk and that you'd be happy about it!"
Hahahaha.......Clever little Grandpa, huh?!?
Don't Mess with Old People
The IRS decided to audit Grandpa, and summons him to the IRS office. The IRS auditor was not surprised when Grandpa showed up with his attorney.
The auditor said, "Well, sir, you have an extravagant lifestyle and no full-time employment, which you explain by saying that you win money gambling. I'm not sure the IRS finds that believable."
"I'm a great gambler, and I can prove it," says Grandpa. "How about a demonstration?"
The auditor agrees and Grandpa says, "I'll bet you a thousand dollars that I can bite my own eye." The auditor thinks for a moment and says "It's a bet."
Grandpa removes his glass eye and bites it. The auditor's jaw drops and Grandpa says, "Now, I'll bet you two thousand dollars that I can bite my other eye." Now the auditor can tell Grandpa isn't blind, so he takes the bet.
Grandpa removes his dentures and bites his good eye. The stunned auditor now realizes he has wagered and lost three grand with Grandpa's attonery as a witness. He starts to get nervous.
"Want to go double or nothing?" Grandpa asks, "I'll bet you six thousand dollars that I can stand on one side of your desk, and pee into the wastebasket on the other side and never get a drop anywhere in between."
The auditor, twice burned, is cautious now, but he looks carefully and decides there's no way this old guy could possibily manage that stunt, so he agrees again.
Grandpa stands besides the desk and unzips his pants, but although he strains mightly, he can't make the stream reach the wastebasket on the other side, so he pretty much urinates all over the auditor's desk.
The auditor leaps with joy, realizing that he has just turned a major loss into a huge win. But Grandpa's own attorney moans and puts his head in his hands.
"Are you okay?" the auditor asks. "Not really," says the attorney. "This morning, when Grandpa told me he'd been summoned for an audit, he bet me twenty-five thousand dollars that he could come in here and pee all over your desk and that you'd be happy about it!"
Hahahaha.......Clever little Grandpa, huh?!?
Monday, March 2, 2009
Expect the Unexpected
Well, we left port last Tuesday, sailed for 7 hours, enjoyed a lovely sunset from the boat and then hauled the boat out of the water in Naples, FL. Yes, another minor set back. That silly crack in the fiberglass around the rudder post just didn't want to stay fixed and we had a nice little stream of water coming through it.
I have been chillin' in Ft. Myer's again. Everyone has gotten a good laugh out of my return. They call us Boomarang 2. You see, there was these Australians a couple years back that were going through the same pains of re-fitting a boat. They had a big party when they left, the next day the boat was back for repair, left again, came back again, etc. Hints the name Boomarang. So I guess I am actually the boomarang in this story because the boat didn't come all the way back, but I did. Since the boat isn't here to be worked on, I have had some free time to explore more of what Ft. Myer's has to offer. I have met more interesting people, have spent nearly every sunset on the beach, and many in a canoe with my friend Carveth playing hand drums. I spend my mornings reflecting on what I am learning about myself through the hardships and rewards of this experience and through the relationships I have formed with those around me. Luckily, I have my dear friend Bob to ponder life with from the deck of his boat with Parish(the sweetest little pup who helps me not miss Xela so much). Bob is a 63 year old, white bearded, barefoot, sailor who is like a old man version of me. =)
On a sadder note, there has been a loss in the community. My drum buddy Carveth lost his brother 2 days ago. Apparently he was drunk and fell off his boat, hit his head on the rocks and died. Crazy how life can take a twist and leave you in utter shock because all of a sudden everything has changed. Reminds me to stay present so as to not miss what is being offered. That is what this experience has taugh me most, to look under the surface and see what you are being offered each day. Sometimes we miss it because we are too caught up in what we think we are supposed to be experiencing and not in what is happening right now.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Sailing Inspired Writing
I have been writing a lot since I have been here, even playing around with poetry. Here's a little sailing/van morrison inspired piece:
Sail into the mystic....step forth onto the vessel and raise your sails. For your boat is sound , you have prepared it for rough seas. It will withstand the currents and steer through troubled waters onward to its destination. Allow the wind to fill your sails, let it carry you, surrender to its power and absorb yourself in the beauty of the sea, the sun, and the sky that surround you. Let it speak to you, listen for the wisdom in each breeze that passes across your face and find strength in the warmth the sun casts on your skin. Sail into the mystic.....
Lots of love to all,
Kristen
Sail into the mystic....step forth onto the vessel and raise your sails. For your boat is sound , you have prepared it for rough seas. It will withstand the currents and steer through troubled waters onward to its destination. Allow the wind to fill your sails, let it carry you, surrender to its power and absorb yourself in the beauty of the sea, the sun, and the sky that surround you. Let it speak to you, listen for the wisdom in each breeze that passes across your face and find strength in the warmth the sun casts on your skin. Sail into the mystic.....
Lots of love to all,
Kristen
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