Coming Home 5/12/13

We’re home, well almost anyway.   We have come such a long way since my last entry.  I have considered writing repeatedly but needed some “space” to reflect on all we’ve been through before I felt right about putting it on paper. 

When we last “met”, we were still making our way to our jump off point in the Abacos.  The slow, easy progress we made under sail took us to the quaint and remote settlement of Fox Town.  Once again, we found a completely new experience awaiting us.  Being that it is not readily visited by cruisers, we got a taste of REAL Bahamian living. 

We were met at the dock by Kirkland who we later found out is considered to be more of the town “pest”.  He led us around, almost pulling us the whole way to introduce us to anyone in the area doing any kind of business at all.  It was kind of cute but ended up being a ruse as he was looking for drinking money in the end!  It was fun meeting the ladies in the little “grocery” there, the guys cleaning the fish and one who sold gasoline.  We ended up buying Kirkland a beer and parting ways at the local bar where the boys ate yet another hamburger before we headed back to the boat.

The next morning, we wasted no time and once again set a straight course for points toward home.  We had decided to “jump” from Little Grand Cay vs. Great Sale Cay as it had a small town and some services in the event we had a long delay before finding our window.  Little Grand Cay ended up being pretty cute.  It had colorful buildings and even more colorful characters occupying them! 

Unfortunately, we just couldn’t find a deep enough anchorage to be comfortable with and ended up moving several times before settling closer to the channel than we (and the locals) were pleased with.  That being said, with Steve missing his wife and Rob always needing to be on the go, all eyes were on trying to make crossing conditions out of weather that didn’t really stack up.

It ended up that we only spent one night at Little Grand Cay.  We checked weather and grabbed a few supplies and settled in for the night agreeing to listen to the cruiser’s forecast in the morning before making a final decision to get moving offshore.  The forecast came in less than perfect but elements of it made it seem like a “do-able” journey with winds strong enough to fill the sails to counter balance the seas that it might kick up.  The wind direction and the scattered squalls forecast promised a strong sail but possible opportunities for a challenge along the way as squall lines passed through.

Of course, that’s not at all how it played out.  I knew from the beginning that this crossing would be pivotal to my relationship to continuing to sail.  I have struggled with boredom, nausea and fear so many times while sailing that I really needed a great experience to end the year.  Being with two capable and strong men to handle the sails in conditions that promised real sailing and a fast passage seemed at least an option – since the boys really didn’t want to wait for calm and motoring the 30+ hours it would take to get home.

The day started out with lighter winds than expected although we were under sail and made it all the way across the Bahama banks in decent time and without a lot of drama.  Unfortunately, when we reached the ocean, the winds shifted, the rain started and things went from bad to worse.  I have to say I did pretty well, considering.  We had to take down the sails because the wind direction was completely contrary to the forecast.  The seas were kicked up beyond any projections and were coming from EVERY direction.  And then when we were fully into the gulf stream, the squalls came in earnest and we battled blinding rain, seas somewhere around 13 feet from all directions and the slower progress that comes with it.

We had hoped to get to St. Augustine as our destination with Daytona Beach being the second choice.  We passed Cape Canaveral at about 4 in the morning in driving rain with cargo and cruise ships plying the waters all around us.  I finally hailed the Coast Guard to inquire if we were better off continuing to Daytona or just turning around and heading back for the Canaveral inlet.  The latter was their suggestion as the storm intensity was centered just north of our position.  We wearily made it in the inlet at 10 that morning and pulled into the fuel dock and a chance to recover. 

Steve left that same afternoon to get back to his life (and wife!) while Rob and I were literally passed out wherever our bodies landed.  He came back a bit later and we all enjoyed a celebratory drink together before he headed back “home” and Rob and I untied the lines once again to navigate the Canaveral locks (another new experience!) and find an anchorage for the night.

So it’s now been over a week since our return.  We’ve motored the Intracoastal , spent two fun days in St Augustine with great friends from our journey (Dan and Kathy from Majiks) and worked our way the rest of the way up the coast to Hilton Head.  We spent one day back on the ocean in calm conditions with the motor on and the rest on the ICW.  We saw incredible scenery, lots of dolphins and made good progress.

We currently lie in Hilton Head where this original journey began over 20 years ago when Rob first got the sailing bug.  It was pretty nostalgic reentering the area waters as we returned from the adventure that all began here.  We have settled in here for the past few days, connecting with my dear friend, Patricia and her husband Jay.  And it feels like home.  We’ve stayed in their lovely home and cooked and relaxed and caught up and recovered.

It’s taken this long for me to wrap this all up.  It’s been the journey of a lifetime, really.  The countless sunrises and sunsets, the crystal waters, the amazing new friends and experiences – we have memories that will never fade.  I love my boat and could not be more thankful for her safely bringing us home.  I appreciate all I’ve learned about myself and perseverance and have no regrets.  Mostly, however, I have come to appreciate home more than I would have imagined and I’m glad to be back. 

Who knows where this will all lead?  Rob and I have always been adventurers and I’m sure there are many new and exciting things to explore and experience.  For the time being, though, there’s no place like home!