Meet the Crew:
Ashe, Laura, Steffan, Rebekah, Lel, Steve, Capt. Jeff
The Route:
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria -> St. Lucia – Sailing 3,300 NM. in a 62ft. Grand Soleil.
My thoughts:
Reflection 1-
I took a deep breath as we sailed away from land. That was it. Our safety net disappeared into the choppy wavy horizon. It was a surreal feeling really. Apprehension, excitement, and purpose combined perfectly. I recognized the only way out now was to make it to the other side. The magnitude of this felt heavy, felt exciting, felt life changing.
Our first three days were filled with great wind, great waves, and tricky sailing. At times the first 72 hours felt like an eternity. We were promised calmer seas to come after that. When would they come? Please come soon. I couldn’t take much more and neither could our boat. It had taken a beating and been quite damaged in a few ways. Feeling desperate.
As we cracked into day four, the ocean seemed to turn to glass. The waves were still two meters, but it was the break we had been pleading for. On to smooth sailing. Heeling harmony. Filled with excitement, we sailed into the first calm night- into the stars and the sliver of a moon. The following day we would fix the boat mid ocean. Being self reliant is key. Out there no one can help you. The crew must work toward one common goal. Get to the other side.
With calmer water and wind everyone was at peace. So far from shore and so far from home. We were really in it now.
Reflection 2-
Everyone asks- What do you do for that long on a boat? Honestly.? You can do everything on a boat that you can do in normal life, but you get to remove certain aspects- remove constant contact from everyone on land, remove the toxicity of the news, remove the constant pull of social media, leave the noise of the city, leave bad energy. Without these you gain so much. Time to breathe, reflect, connect. Time to be with your thoughts, time to heal, and time to be with the ocean.
In 18 days I was never bored. My time was all taken by too many mid ocean boat fixes to count, cooking, reading, chatting, swimming, fishing, yoga, LOTS of time at the helm, some sleeping (there was never enough sleeping), watching sunsets, star gazing, laundry, playing guitar, dodging storms, chores… you name it.
Busy as we were, boat life was simple. I grew very used to the 62 foot life. Time so closely spent with crew also meant the forming of our boat family. Days 4-8 were when the crossing started to get even more special. Bonds were formed that will last forever. We were a little unit doing our thing, working together, crossing the ocean.
Rinse repeat every day, but never growing weary. At least I didn’t. With each day my heart grew more full. Full of the sunshine, laughs, and good music. As each night ticked away I couldn’t help but to savor each moment with the stars, moon, and how they shown on the churning ocean. I spent time throughout each day feeling such gratitude for the place I was in and the journey I was on. I recognized how lucky I was to be on the crossing and told myself I wouldn’t waste a minute.
My latest life lesson – Don’t waste a minute.
Reflection 3– Land.
Everyone proclaims- “That must have been so amazing to see land again right?!”
Yes. It was amazing. Surreal really. Immediately I was full of emotions. It was over. That statement could have been said so many ways.
It was over!!!! We made it. We are at land! Safe! We did it!
It was over…. sad it’s over. Soon I will leave the boat, the ocean, my new boat family.
It was over- reflective. Wow we crossed the ocean and I can’t wait to talk to my family and friends.
It was over. Crap now I have to figure my life out. What’s next?
I could have jumped for joy and cried all at the same time.
We sailed towards land for about 6 hours once we could see it. At times land almost seemed to be in the way of the ocean. St. Lucia was the biggest land mass we had seen in 18 days. The biggest anything for all that matters. It was blocking the horizon I had grown to find comfort in. Where was the ocean? Ending. The ocean was ending. The trip of a life time was ending. Did it have to? My brain started immediately scheming ways to stay. To live the life on the water. To stay meant to stay free. I would have turned around and done it all again the very next day.
We arrived and set foot on land. This was exciting!! Immediately we were greeted by the local peoples with fresh fruit, rum punch, high fives, smiles and congratulations! I will say it felt good to be still at last and have a dock to tie up to.
