"Today I choose life. Every morning when I wake up I can choose joy, happiness, negativity, pain... today I choose to feel life, not to deny my humanity but embrace it."
Kevyn Aucoin
For some reason the word breakaway kept entering my mind today. And it lingered on. Breakaway, breakaway.
It is defined as "a divergence or radical change from something established." Hmmm, I thought. That fits. Breakaway time had arrived for me and my vessel, the SV/Serenade. It must be that time of year.
It was worth the wait over the 2018 summer for hurricane season to pass. Thankfully there were no serious storms to threaten Serenade as she rested in Brunswick Landing Marina this season.
During the summer a lot of time was spent outfitting Serenade and making upgrades.
But breakaway time is here. Time for another extended trip down the Florida coast with my sites on the Bahamas once again. This will be my third trip to those lovely sun drenched islands.
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| Sidney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick |
Here's the way it all went down to kick off my 5th year of the sailing lifestyle.
A full week in Brunswick to make final preparations was in order. Multiple trips to Home Depot and West Marine proved to be routine business in order to finalize all details for a smooth departure where no details would go unaddressed.
A side trip to St. Augustine to Sailor's Exchange to fetch my brand new dinghy was a thrill. This purchase was a splurge for me but I figured it was time for an upgrade. After all, a dinghy is an integral part to a sailors life when it comes to your shore connection from anchorage.
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| Still in the box! |
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| What a ride! |
Thanksgiving weekend was the target date for my breakaway back to cruising.
On Thanksgiving Day there was festive holiday feast with fellow boaters at Brunswick Landing Marina. The Thanksgiving gathering with 200 fellow cruisers was huge and tasty. All good folks with a common bond.
Before departing Brunswick there were still provisions to be purchased, inventory to be sorted, a diesel engine to be serviced and a whole host of little jobs too many to name.
Since the sails had been removed for hurricane season they too longed to return to their home position ready for duty. It all suddenly came together and departure was near.
Check, check, and check and before long my to-do list soon dwindled out of sight like sinking sunset.
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| Nothing like a nice freshly cleaned heat exchanger... ain't it purty?! |
The day finally came on Sunday, November 25, when I would untie the most difficult knot of all. That would be the knot that holds the dock lines to the cleat, often called the hardest knot to untie.
Once you release the dock lines you know you are on your way untethered to anything that ever held you back. It's an exhilarating moment indeed casting off the final line and I was giddy during my 7 a.m. getaway.
The first day would be a relatively easy day traveling 38 miles from Brunswick to Fernandina Beach located on Florida's Amelia Island.
Along the way, I had a lot of time to ponder, and right then and there I decided that everything was going to be alright. Not just on the boat, but inside me, outside of me and anything I may have ever worried about at all.
It's a choice we all have to make. I am choosing and affirming that all will be alright for those I love, for all those I meet along the way and for the world. That's a tall order but so it is.
The life of a solo sailor can be the ultimate test of self reliance. From here on out, it all falls on me. My decisions, whether they be right or wrong, will set the stage for success, failure or all combinations in between. Lord, please grant me the strength and the smarts to make the best decisions.
Solo sailing sets the bar high, and the personal rewards upon completion can be quite nice to say the least. I have found no matter what grueling challenges present themselves through dangers, toils or snares it all works out. No matter how daunting things may seem at times it always works out. There will be an end to every episode, every risk, every unknown, every mistake, and it always works out. It really does.
Sometimes people ask if get lonely. Well, it varies. I would not call it lonely per se. But sometimes I do feel like the nomad cowboy sailor breezing through these little communities as I explore their harbors, streets and eateries along the way. And I will admit I am sometimes envious of fellow cruising couples that I meet in my travels. They are a unique entity because they have each other, and they have a shared dream.
The companionship, camaraderie, and the love two people share for each other and for the success of their dream is a treasure I respect and admire.
But I have discovered that nothing is really certain. It is not so simple to find that compatible companion to share the joys of the cruising life long term. It may sound enchanting and glorious to sail off into the sunset without a care in the world. But in searching for a sailing mate I must remind myself that everyone else is not retired like me. Nor does everyone really have the passion to tackle a venture like this if they could. (Personally I think it's easy.)
I am quite content here in this dream, and I accept any day on the sea, solo or tandem, as a blessing.
Most of the cruising couples I admire have known each other for years. They planned it all out in advance, and built their dream long before they ever thought about untying any dock lines.
There's as much excitement in planning it all together as there is taking that first step to set sail. I am touched by the kindred bond I see in these couples. It brings a sense of joy and hope to my little world.
For me, it's sort of like finding that ultimate songwriting partner to join forces with. Over 400 songs written and it never happened for me to find a co-writer or musical partner. So like the song says "But I live on and I'll be strong cause it just ain't my cross to bear." Sail on.
On a different note, most folks I meet in my travels are impressed that I single hand my vessel. Some can't fathom piloting a boat solo. It's just not on their radar and they would never even consider cruising without a partner or crew on board. Some folks just need someone around all the time. I get that.
But just because I have no dedicated sailing partner is no reason NOT to go. There's a wise saying that goes something like, "If you do what you love you will attract those of like mind and spirit."
I met a guy last week that could not understand anybody (me) single handling a sailboat on the sea. He even asked me, "You mean you don't even have a dog or a cat on board?" I answered no, but then it got me to thinking. Maybe I SHOULD have some type of companion .... even if it is not of the human form?
So I went out I did, and I bought me a cruising partner! Yep sure did!
She's a real living and blooming pansy plant! And I named her Pricilla after my wonderful hippy Aunt Frances Pricilla Carter. Prissy for short, mind you.
Unlike a pet, Prissy is a special companion that I don't have to shuttle to shore every few hours to pee or clean up after. And she listens very well. She's great company, requires very little attention, and never complains. What could possibly go wrong?!
Since my Aunt Frankie got her angel wings a few years ago it's nice to have a daily reminder of her on board Serenade.
Meet Prissy. Here she is seen sunning on the deck.
PSST! Stop rolling your eyes! If you make it to the very end of this post we'll have a little photo fun with Prissy just for kicks. :)
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| Prissy on deck |
With the strong gravitational pull of the full moon in November, these daily tides were extremely high, over 9' to be exact. That means high water, which made for an easy passage through the normally shallow and hazardous Jekyll Creek. Prissy and I sailed right through there without a wink or blink to any fears of touching the thick mud floor of Jekyll Creek.
We (me and Prissy) soon crossed St. Andrews Sound. I flirted with the idea of going out the inlet there so I could get myself back into the Atlantic and sail southward in an open ocean.
Thankfully, before making that move, I consulted local knowledge from the man on the Coast Guard radio. He advised against it due to massive shoaling from previous hurricanes which has left the inlet unchartered. I've navigated that inlet before but it was just too dicy to risk it this time.
After 7 hours along the ICW I made it to my old stomping grounds in Fernandina Beach by 2 pm.
After finagling myself into the perfect anchorage between a mosaic of other sailboats anchored there, I settled into a lovely afternoon nap... well deserved I told myself.
David is a veteran sailor and a walking encyclopedia of boat knowledge. It's always a good opportunity for me to pick his brain with all my questions and the what if's regarding the detailed intricacies of sailboats and all the variables of piloting in these waters.
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| White Pelicans are a beauty to see along the ICW |
Pine Island is a lovely remote anchorage which I have frequented before. Very quiet and pristine among the marsh reeds.
During the journey I was thrilled to get a chance to use the new side curtains recently crafted for Serenade. Sweet!
The enclosure shown here was used more than I had ever imagined on this trip. So clear you can hardly see them! They keep the wind and rain out... well, most of it.
No more rain blowing in the sides or dripping down my back from the helm station which was never fully covered from rain before the new curtains. Suddenly the expense for the rain curtains I had griped about was pointless and paled in comparison to their true worth.
From hear on out I would enjoy a warm face and a dry fanny while the rain fell on Serenade as we traversed the ICW.
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| David on the bow.... St. Augustine Bridge ahead! |
The following morning we lucked out with a rather chilly but nonetheless bright sunny fall day. Match that with a frisky 18 knot wind out of the west and we were kicking' ass under full sails all the way from Pine Islan to St. Augustine.
Moments like these are what it's all about. Wind moving fiberglass over water under the steerage of a grateful soul.
David had to depart at St. Augustine but we sure enjoyed a good time together for about 30 hours.
I spent the remaining afternoon walking the streets of this historic and picturesque city. Sure, it is a tourist town but the scenery, architecture, waterfront and overall energy of this community is worthy of praise.
I met this young cruising couple, Chris and Cate, and their cutie daughter Hazel at the weekly local cruisers happy hour at O'Malleys. What an education this child is getting. Great folks.
Two 3 year olds in the same week!
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| It was also a real treat to reconnect with a former student Mo Williamson and his beautiful family of 4. |
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| father and son |
Mo and his wife welcomed me into their home for brunch and then he and Jackson paid a visit to Serenade on a Saturday afternoon. Oh my what a difference 10 years can make in our lives since he was my student at Pope High.
The following day I hooked up with long time friend Bill Coleman. We've known each other since UGA college days, 45 years ago. I stayed overnight at his home. We watched the Georgia Bulldogs destroy the Alabama Crimson Tide for the first half... the 2nd half would be a different story but we won't talk about that.
Casa Monica is my favorite place to hang in St. Augustine. I love their outdoor tables where one can sip Starbucks coffee and watch the people parade along King St.
After lingering at Casa Monica, I walked and I walked and I walked some more... all through the city I kept walking. Down skinny side streets, through odd neighborhoods, along the waterfront, and over bridges. I was ecstatic to finally be in such harmony with the gusto of life in a unique coastal community as this.
Free as a bird, grateful to be alive, and with the satisfaction of viewing Serenade from afar as I stood atop the historic Bridge of Lions.
I continued to walk around town the rest of the day wearing this shit eating grin on my face. Everybody around me was beautiful!
There's a unique feeling from a breakaway that is inspiring and electrifying. Everybody has there own version of a breakaway. I had found mine.
At this point I realized that I had arrived into the zen of cruising again. It was humbling to realize another season of sailing had truly begun.
I took a deep breath and said thank you for the dozenth time that day.
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| City of Lights at Christmas time. |
For the next 6 days I lingered in St. Augustine and took in the magic of the sites, America's oldest city. Here's some scenes I witnessed.
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| The old Spanish fort as viewed from the waterfront. |
Local architecture at Flagler College and City Hall
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Santa!!! |
Even life on a boat settles down into a routine at times. Sun up, sun down and all good things in between.
Thank you St. Augustine for a great week. Now onward!
On the lighter side....
Ok since you've made it this deep into the blog you know I promised more photos of Prissy and here they are! She's a great boat companion! Don't try to steal her! She's mine!!
(Don't worry, I'm ok!)
Here's Prissy at the helm driving the boat.
Here she is manning the winch.
Prissy reading a chart.
Getting a fresh shower!
And of course, sunbathing!
That's All Folks!
Till Next Time!!
Next stops will be Daytona, Titusville, Cocoa, Melbourne, Vero Beach and beyond!