"No Man is an Island" - John Donne, English metaphysical poet, 1624

Romanticism tempts us to imagine the captain of a sailboat as a stalwart loner, completely self-sufficient, imperturbable. That probably never fits reality because we all depend on others in different ways. Two of my friends I want to especially acknowledge for their help to me.

Dave Mancini (above right, with his wife Rhonda), is an accomplished sailing friend who was always there to encourage me when trying to sail south in late Fall 2016, against the early-arrival winter weather. His texts (to my satellite messenger) and phone calls (when we had cell service) encouraged me and my crew at critical times. He conveyed to us weather updates, and he felt to me and my crew like our guardian angel. Thanks, Dave!

Sandy Edmonson (above left, front left in photo, with her husband Chris on the right side) was a friend I knew from sailing, and from US Power Squadron classes, in Portland. She sailed her boat to Mexico before me and gave me the benefit of lots of advice from her cruising in the Sea of Cortez. When I had a question (for example, about hauling the boat out for the summer in San Carlos) I just emailed her. She always replied right away with a long email with lots of good information. She never tired of my questions and was always patient, even when I asked the same question twice. Thanks, Sandy!

Other friends helped too, both Portland friends and friends we made on the way. Thanks, Tammy for the great fender covers you sewed for S/V Ubiquity. Thanks Rich (La Paz Cruisers Supply) for helping set up the yacht transport from La Paz to Victoria. Thanks to everyone else I met on the voyage who helped with their conversation, advice, and friendship.