My Maiden Voyage

Though it is true, I have my finger back-it's a shadow of the finger I used to have. The ability to bend your finger at the joint is not overrated. So, though I can type I cannot properly grip my chef's knife. I called for a referral to a specialist and so let the therapy begin.

In the meantime I will be sailing to the San Juan Islands from Seattle beginning this evening. I am beside myself with giddiness. I have great friends but having a great friend with a sailboat is almost good-karma overload. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for me.

I sailed for the first time (with this same friend but in another boat) one Indian-summer October evening about 8 years ago. Wow! I can't believe it's been that long! The boat was moored on Lake Washington at the time and I'd had a gruelling day at the office (I used to be a Systems Manager) and the "systems" were giving me fits. It looked to be like a long night at the office. I called to bail on the commitment to go sailing for the first time in my life.

My friend dished up a hilarious comment about those who foolishly choose work over pleasure and I was all in. I've never regretted that decision. That night as we drifted lazily along the glass-smooth waters of the lake (very little wind) and laid back to gaze up at the moon and stars I knew I was hopelessly destined to love sailing.

My friend recommended a book that he'd read years before called Maiden Voyage by Tania Aebi. I had the book in my hands the very next day. The book is the story of a New York City teen who is the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe. Her voyage was done in a 26 foot sloop with only the company of a cat. I was ready for my own circumnavigation of the globe by the following week.

I haven't made that trip yet (and it's not really on my bucket list) but sailing some distance in open water has been on my list and this trip really feels like a dream come true for that reason.

I'll attempt to post pictures along the way and let you know what we're eating, seeing and singing. (The captain plays his guitar and sing-a-longs have been known to happen).

Bon Voyage!