Goodbye for Now

Now it’s time to say goodbye…

So, another season on the water comes to an end.  In 2015, we spent 12 weeks; in 2016, 19 weeks; and now in 2017, 14 weeks.  Looking back, here are some of our wrap-up thoughts.

We found greater confidence in handling Azure Wind, knowing how to troubleshoot if not always being able to repair the problems, moving her on and off the dock, picking up and dropping off our guests.  And, we finally figured out the occasional water-in-the-bilge issue (related to replacing a hot water heater last summer)!

We have loved the sense of teamwork we share, working often without saying a word, just knowing what the other needs, pointing here and there and picking up the signals.

We have been more relaxed and have enjoyed three and four night stays in one anchorage. 

We continued to enjoy our island connections through the church nearby, a few growing friendships with other cruisers, and gratitude for the professional and friendly help we have received from the marina staff.

We spent more time this year in the USVI, especially in the national park and enjoyed several new anchorages including Cooper Island, Charlotte Amalie harbor on St. Thomas, Christiansted harbor on St. Croix, Great Lameshur Bay on St. John, and Deep Bay on Virgin Gorda.  And we enjoyed visiting favorite anchorages from our previous seasons.  One of the things we have come to appreciate is the large number of bays available here; most of the islands farther south have only a couple of safe anchorages.

We had more time to think and reflect – a wonderful gift.  Marney wrote two sermons; I wrote a reflection on framing future development for the Taos community.  I come away wanting to reflect more on the nature of friendship and stewardship in the months ahead.  For example: what is at the core of a friendship that can draw someone closer to a neighbor than to a nuclear family member?  how is it best achieved to transition a parent-child relationship into a friendship?  what makes for good stewardship when you live on a boat?  how does cleaning something – anything – you “own” (which to our way of thinking, we don’t, but have borrowed from God’s cornucopia of life) nurture faithful stewardship?

We noted:

- shallowest water was at the mooring ball in the marina:  5 feet  (we have a 4 foot draft)

- deepest water was sailing over the trench on the way to St. Croix:  14,000 feet

- best snorkeling this year: with the school of fish off Cooper Island

- best restaurant with a view:  Hog Heaven on Virgin Gorda

- quietest anchorage:  Deep Bay on Virgin Gorda

- noisiest anchorage:  Penns Landing (our home base) with those loud cigarette boats roaring in and out

- most enjoyable moment: hosting a Methodist clergy couple (he had grown up on St. Martin and she on Dominica) for a sail – neither had ever been sailing before.

We leave understanding even more how living on the water is so different from living on the land.  Living with constant motion, paying constant attention to the integrity of the boat, looking at nature with an eye toward the sea… and not once having to think about those prairie dogs!  Where wind, water, and earth meet is such an amazing place of energy and adventure. 

We’re ready, refreshed, and curious to see what will happen next.  And that includes questions about a next season here.  We’re listening to God’s leading, grateful for the people, places, and opportunities of this time.

All the best,

…wishing you fair winds and calm seas…and a solid enough boat for those moments when the winds and seas don’t cooperate

Dave