HOW DID THAT SAILING THING TURN OUT?

Warderick Wells, Exumas, Bahamas
N 24º 23.736 | W 76º 37.937

Copyright 2013 Tammy Kennon

When we untied the lines in Manteo in October 2010, I left with two very large bags. One bag held all my expectations for this dream life I had been imagining for 15 years, and that bag was stuffed. Dreams by their nature are fanciful and idyllic, and my imagination was fertile, I thought. So what did I find when I crossed the abyss between dreaming and reality?

The other bag held everything I believed about myself, and, at 50 years old, I thought I knew myself pretty well. I was strong and confident. I had a successful career and business. I was good at taking on new challenges and learning new skills. So what did I learn about myself when I cast aside all the accomplishments of my first five decades and set off on a new venture?

Since we arrived in the Bahamas this year on March 17th, instead of blogging, I've been writing a book about crossing the abyss and walking around in this 3D dream, how my waking life has shaken out compared to those fanciful expectations and how my reflection in the water has compared to the one in the mirror.

As of today, I have completed the first draft of 12 of the 16 chapters.

I promise to check back in here regularly with progress reports and more photos of this continuing 3D dream.

Thank you for reading.


p.s. -- Our storm dodging has continued. We are once again in Warderick Wells and will head north when the wind turns favorable later this week. We'll check back in from Nassau in a week or so....

CLASSIC YACHT: IN THE MOMENT

"I check my watch and the wind speed. I wonder if we'll keep this pace, and if the wind will keep a constant breath, if that cloud far off to the east is headed our way. 

Ming's words flutter like tell-tales in the breeze, and I am reminded of the things that matter and the ones that don't."

READ MORE...

"I'll get there when I get there."

It was a simple sentence we heard only six days after leaving our home dock, but their meaning has resonated for three years.

And I am still learning the lesson: how to patiently ride a soft wind, to release the false frenzy of land, and focus on the moment, not the destination.

For the backstory on this column:
The day we fell under Ming's spell: Get There When I Get There
The day we met Ming: The Raft-Up

FULL SAIL

Warderick Wells

It might seem strange to check back in after all this time to tell you we are back in Warderick Wells. We are tucked into the north mooring field for yet another blow, although weather guru Chris Parker predicts this will be one of the last. The glorious trade winds will be settling in allowing us to waft back up the northern Exumas and across to Andros.

Since I last wrote, we sailed to an idyllic anchorage, all alone, behind Little Hall's Pond.

Photo by Chip

We sailed to Sampson to see the sharks.

No, not an aquarium. The marina at Sampson Cay.

To Staniel to snorkel in Thunderball.

To Black Point where our pet remoras hung out below.

Photo by Chip

Black Point was not intended to be our southernmost point, but the winds have shifted south for the season, and we have no interest in beating into them. So north it is with lovely upwind breezes and following seas.

To Compass, to Cambridge and back to Warderick, brought by the wind. That fuel gauge is still in the green.

There can be no complaint about sailing in the northern Exumas, its peek-a-boo water and white sand beaches. Eventually we'll sail across to Andros to finish the season -- and tell about when there's internet.

Spa day in Warderick. Photo by Chip

WARDERICK WELLS

Warderick Wells, Exumas, Bahamas
N 24º 23.843 | W 76º 37.97

Cara Mia has blown into Warderick Wells in the Exumas Land & Sea Park. Pardon the rudimentary map, but we are at the tip of the red arrow. I used up half my internet loading the google map page!

If you search this blog for "Warderick" you can see photos of our previous visits here, one of our favorite stops in the Exumas.

Since leaving Nassau on the 26th, we spent a few days in Rose Island, crossed to Highborne and stopped at Normans and Shroud Cays, all rather remote outposts with no internet.

Our stay in the Bahamas so far has been a game of running from weather. After a good blow tonight, they promise a week of settled weather, which will be a welcome relief from blows and bumpy anchorages.

From the time we left Palm Beach, we have only consumed 24 gallons of diesel, enjoying a season of beautiful sailing. Glorious, brought to you by the wind.

I promise detailed posts with photos once we have a better internet source.

Hope all is well.

Fair winds.