Jay, our friends Larry and Yoshie, and I went out for Cadenza's maiden sail after a long absence last Wednesday. I struggled to find the right word to describe how incredible it was. Then I remembered our friends who have a boat they call Magic. It couldn't be a more appropriate name. And I thought, that's it. Magic. Our sail was nothing short of pure magic.

I have sailed on many boats and I know we all have our preferences, especially when it comes to our own boats. But, BUT! Cadenza is special. No. Really. She is. I have often referred to her as a thoroughbred and it is perfectly fitting. When she gets in her sweet spot, and her sails are trimmed perfectly, she just glides through the water. She naturally moves with the rhythm of the sea. And all I can think of is this is ... magic.

I had a talk with her before we left the dock. I told her how I had missed her and I knew how much she wanted to set sail. I thanked her for waiting patiently and told her we would sail many more miles together. I told her this because sailboats are meant to sail and it has been such a long, long time. I know. I know. It's an inanimate object. Well, maybe to you and to those who are practical. To me, she feels like an extension of my body, carrying me through the water with such ease. And we owe her so much as she has brought us safely through many, many miles. I am so grateful to have this moment in time; with Jay, and Larry and Yoshie, and with Cadenza, our faithful sailing vessel.

And have I mentioned we saw whales? And a turtle! And everything worked! With only ten knots of wind, we were sailing along at five knots. Magic. Pure magic.