Looking at dolphins riding our bow wave is one of the intense joys of sailing our boat. They are frequently making their own busy passage from one place to another, but it seems that the lure of a fun ride on the bow wave is reason enough for them to completely change course, sometimes for an extended period of time. They seem unable to resist, even when it takes them in the opposite direction. Sooner or later they resume their previous track and are gone. Theirs is a freedom at which we can only wonder. Ours comes at a price.

Since leaving in mid-November our time has been filled with the exploration of the places we visit or of our own capabilities and limitations. Our thoughts often stray back to our family, friends and the cares of the land. A long time business associate and friend passed away very recently and suddenly. Our children struggle with lay-offs and economic woes as they begin their own paths into weighty adulthood and as always life teaches its tough lessons, testing our resources.

We value the freedom of this awesome ride of ours and it is worth the change of direction, just for the fun, just for a while.