When Most Are Thinking Caribbean Islands
19 August 2012
WHEN MOST ARE THINKING CARIBBEAN ISLANDS
August 19, 2012
We are still in Texas awaiting the repair to our roof and water damage as a result of a recent storm. Since we are planning to leave here bound for Why Knot in a couple of weeks or whenever the work is done, we are back to monitoring cruising sites and weather patterns. As of today, some friends who set out a year or so ago on their Round the Gulf Odyssey will make their home port in Corpus Christi, Texas. Our current thinking is that we may never sail Why Knot back to Texas though that is a possibility.
So it is that summer is speeding down the track to the history books and sailors, both retired and otherwise, are making plans for the winter. Royal Marsh Harbor Yacht Club is assembling a list of those planning to return in an effort to put crews in touch that might want to “buddy boat” back to the islands. As mentioned earlier, we are on the voyage of discovery and plan to stay in the Chesapeake this winter. It is fun and interesting to read the questions and answers about gear, timing and destinations for those planning to duck the cold and seek warmer climates and those crystal waters of the islands. We are constantly asked why would we want to suffer winter when all we have to do is set a course for the Keys or the Islands? The answer is simply that we have never done a winter in the Chesapeake and we admit it might happen only one time but it is part of the adventure that put us to sea in the first place. Even if we ultimately set Why Knot in her slip and get in the MSU for warmer destinations, we will have yet another chapter in our log book and minds memory bin. Events of recent months including loss of friends and Bear’s back have emphasized that we are fortunate to be able to sail albeit somewhat slower than in the past but we still can. To those who head south and sail past Zahnser’s Yachting Center in Solomons, we wish you most joy and a great winter. If you happened to stop, look us up. We are on K dock or somewhere in the Bay enjoying the fall. To the other fools that choose to stay aboard when they don’t have to, good luck. I wonder when the crabs start walking north?