Summer Snow is safe in her cradle in Siskiwit Bay Marina, Cornucopia Wisconsin. I am very happy to be home in Hayward with family and friends. The trip has been a wonderful adventure with very few unexpected problems. Would I do it again? Sure, but only if Bev could come too.
Ten months is a long time to be away from home and family but I knew that going in. A sailing adventure like this is a life experience that you must do when the opportunity is there. If you hesitate you may miss the adventure completely. I could not have gone on this trip without the encouragement, the help and support I received from Bev and the rest of my family and friends and I thank all (especially Bev) for helping make this trip possible.
Lessons Learned:
1. I don't want to live on a boat. There is a lot to be said for living in a house and living on the boat for a few weeks is OK but after a few months it's good to get back home again.
2. There are wonderful, intelligent, kind, thoughtful, friendly people everywhere. The best part of this adventure was meeting all the wonderful people. I think that boating people and Bahamian people are particularly nice.
3. There are so many beautiful and interesting places to live and the best place is where I already live. I am not very comfortable in very warm climates and I truly love snowy Minnesota. Sail magazine rates the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior as "in the top 10" places to sail but I would go further and rate them as number 1.
4. Your sail plan should always include a plan A, B, and C with plan B and C in case things don't go good in Plan A. Before raising the anchor I reviewed the charts and cruising guides for the days' sailing and carefully noted problem areas. Many shoals and tidal currents are noted on the Internet on Active Captain along with recommended ports and marinas.
5. Sail the boat you got! If you wait until you have the perfect boat with all the technical bells and whistles you may never leave. Cast off your lines because you really don't need all that fancy stuff. All you really need is the support of your family and a good basic sailboat. Some skill and knowledge is helpful but a lack there of is not a deal breaker.
Thank you for reading my blog. I will begin posting again next June as sailing season gets underway on beautiful Lake Superior.
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Thanks for taking us along on your trip. I realy enjoyed reading about your adventures. Do you recognise any of the areas damaged by Huricane Irene as she passed thru the Bahama's
ReplyDeleteJohn
I have not recognized places in the Bahamas since we were in the North East (Abaco Islands) and the major news organizations focus on Nassau (New Providence Island) which is the capital and major tourist city. I will recognize any place Irene hits on the East Coast up to New York City and that is very concerning because I have many friends along that coast.
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