Post by guest author VJ, Cat’s dad
This being the week before Thanksgiving, I’ll resort to the grade-school essay assignment genre: Â what I’m thankful for.
On this week before Thanksgiving 2015, after just sailing with daughter Catherine and son-in-law Will, I am especially thankful for —
While onboard:
- 65 years, 196 consecutive days of never having broken a little toe on a stanchion … until last week
- Scopolamine patch
- Doug and Pam for advancing the fantasy that their passengers were working as crew
- Sleeping quarters in separate catamaran hulls that isolate snoring broadcasts
- Sleeping with Gina who endures such broadcasts
- http://www.rumproject.com/menuitem5.html for mostly preventing me from buying overpriced rum
- Ginger beer and limes
- A/C and fly swatters
- The Martian by Andy Weir
Upon return to terra firma:
- Sleeping in a bed with unfettered horizontal or vertical spaces
- Toilets that happily accept all deposits
- Internet connection
OK, so much for gratitude.  Some additional perspective on the Monday Never odyssey:
What the hell are two young professionals in the launch years of their careers doing on a 36 foot vessel in the Caribbean?  Especially since sailing doesn’t require the vigor of youth — it’s a lifelong activity that extends well into retirement years. Intellectually I could accept Will and Catherine’s decision to fulfill a dream sooner rather than later, but it took a site visit to comprehend it emotionally.  Seeing Will and Cat palpably enjoying life — on a small boat with minimal amenities — resonated.  My enjoyment of the light breezes, warm waters, sky-diving pelicans and aquatic entertainment put a placid smile on my face.  Their countenances, in comparison, radiated.
What challenges do they face that I can relate to?  Knowing nothing about near-shore or off-shore sailing, I can’t envision the actual risks they face related to being on the sea, so no meaningful thought there.  But looking at their new world, it’s amazing to grasp its intimate nature — no physical place to get away from each other, precious few distractions, no easy escapes from trivial or significant conflict. All the eggs are in one basket.  And I admire them for readily accepting the challenge — and so far meeting it admirably.
What’s with sailing anyway? As a lifelong landlubber, I’m developmentally deficient in appreciating the art and science involved. To be sure, some of my best friends sail well, own venerable yachts and even boast America’s Cup wins — so I’m not a total ignoramus.  Sailing in tandem with Paradox was fun, but my  perspective was almost exclusively from a 39-foot catamaran, a Robinson and Caine Leopard.  Very nice for amenities, but hardly a clean plow through the seas that I sense happens in a monohull.  And, to quibble, moving about onboard doesn’t play to my physical long suit.  Striding over multiple surface levels (and then remembering to do so), and likewise for ducking under thresholds, resulted in more dings and bangs than I’m accustomed to collecting.
When my dad was about the age I am now, I took him to see his first squash match. Â It featured Hashim Khan, the Pakistani squash legend and scion. Â I wondered whether he could fully appreciate what he was witnessing. Â He certainly enjoyed himself, but I’m sure he didn’t totally get it. Â For all you sailors out there, I’m sure you’ll see the parallel.
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