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In article ,
(Parallax) wrote:
By happy and fortuitous circumstance, I suddenly find that not only am
I financially able to do the cruising I want, but my personal life has
fallen into place with my 17 yr old daughter seeming to be cured of
melanoma. So why am I suddenly not looking forward to it? We had a
great day of sailing on Sunday. The short hops will not involve too
much time away from family or work so what is it? Is it possible that
the work toward achieving it is better than the actual doing it?
I've done a little cruising in the past so I know the stress at night
of worrying "Is my anchor dragging" whereas home in bed that never
crosses your mind. I know the "God, am I bored" during
loooooooooooong days of very light wind followed by the "Omigod, what
am I doing here" fear at night with wind that is probably less than I
imagine it to be. Is it possible that the last 9 years of starting
and running a small business has stressed me so much I just want to
relax? Regardless of that Christopher Cross song "Sailing", we all
know sailing is NOT relaxing. People have asked me what I like about
sailing and I always tell them that for me its about problem solving,
not relaxing.
Does anybody else have such odd thoughts before a cruise?
If you don't have some second thoughts each time you try something new,
I think you'd be dangerous to yourself and others.
First time; first "solo"; first squall; first anchoring; first week out;
first overnight sail; first ICW... Each caused us to pause as we
planned. Each experience exceeded our expectations, including the times
we were truly in the wrong place at the wrong time and had to exercise
our alternate plans.
Once you're fairly comfortable that you've solved --and practiced-- the
likely problems, you'll be able to relax more. Engine's dead, winds are
up about 30, you have too much sail up, and have to do 3 quick gybes to
get into the anchorage? No problem, if you've practiced.
Just remember that cruising isn't about getting a particular place fast.
Giving yourself a few extra days and "escape holes" for whatever reason
can change a brutal charge into the unknown into a joyous romp.
--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/
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