Sailing, Simplicity, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Nov 19, 2009 1158- I start the engine and weigh anchor. Motoring out of the inlet, I head for the open sea. Beside me sits a chart, parallel-rulers, binoculars, and a bowl of broccoli. Dory is trying to eat the broccoli. He has really become a menace, and is no longer interested in cat food. When my provisions run low, …

I remember when I started junior high, my father put his hand on my shoulder and said in his best John Wayne voice, “Darlin’ are you going to run cross-country next year?” I nodded. “Good. From now on you’ll eat what I tell you to eat, you’ll sleep when I tell you to sleep, and you’ll run when I tell …

Mid-morning the seas began to lie down and the sail was even smoother. I boiled water for steamed veggies. It would be the first hot meal I had made underway on this voyage. Filling the small pot with an inch of water, I set it on the gimbaled stove and released the break that steadied it. Now the stove could …

I have good news and band news. The bad news: In the first month of travel I already went way over my monthly budget. I don’t know how I’ll manage to continue to travel like this for as long as I wanted to, let alone get to distant shores. Here is the breakdown: Grocery: 331.47 Postage: 13.26 Boat Repair/Maintenance: 30.81 …

I awoke at five o’clock in the morning with hopes of favorable wind. Fifteen knots on the starboard quarter would blow me to Atlantic City just past nightfall. I shoved off only fifteen minutes later. My anchor was lashed securely to the bowsprit so it would not swing around, my compass was lit with a red glow, and I was …

Hours after the sun had risen, with the sails set and monitor wind-vane steering the boat, I went into the cabin to fix myself some breakfast. I pulled out three kiwis, a bowl, knife, cutting board, and a spoon. Braced against the counter with the boat crashing through the waves, I sliced the first kiwi in half and placed the …