UPDATE: Dec 9, 2013 For an compelling read on the entire story click here. For a brilliant article on decision making at sea in relationship to the Bounty tragedy, click here…a must read! For my own post about evaluating preparedness, click here. UPDATE: Feb 13, 2013 I wrote this blog post during the chaos of Hurricane Sandy. I heard the …
Boater’s Safety and Education
When people first learned that I bought a boat and set sail all on my own in 2008, they were impressed. “How can you do that,” they asked. “Its so spontaneous.” But the truth is, I had been sailing for many years before that, both recreationally and professionally. I got my feet wet when I was only eight years old, …
To See Where It All Came From
Its always good to go back to the place where you began. For Ben, thats aboard schooners. He began his sailing career as a mess mate aboard the Lewis R. French, and this summer, he returned to lend a hand as relief crew (mate, deckhand, navigation instructor, and mess mate) aboard the French and the schooner Mary Day. It was …
The Spark That Set Things In Motion
Is it true that you always return to the place which you started? I’ve heard that said before and seldom thought twice about it. I’ve always looked ahead. Onward and upward. But sometimes, the place you started still holds that initial spark that set things in motion. Its the place that fosters that spirit of curiosity, or indoctrinates passion for …
What it takes to be a solo sailor.
Last week I was in Florida visiting a friend on her boat. The waterway was full of boats and beautiful houses. A lot to see and notice. But I was focused on the company I was with and wasn’t paying attention until she said, “My friend Anne lives on the boat next door. She sails it all by herself.” My …
Red, Right, Returning
Last week Ben and I welcomed two friends aboard Elizabeth for an afternoon sail. It was the first sail of this season, and we were excited to dust off the cobwebs. We headed out into the bay, hoisted the sails, and set a course for the opposite shore. The chilly air was reminiscent of a summer day in Newfoundland, and …
Interview with Jaja Martin – Author, Mother, High Latitude Voyager!
I met Jaja and Dave Martin this summer and was very excited to learn of their world travels aboard a small sailboat. The Martins are unique cruisers in that they not only sailed away from the “destination” places in the Caribbean, and toward the cold arctic, but they also did so with three young children. They began their travels aboard …
Black Friday OR Buy Nothing Day?
Fifteen years ago I celebrated Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa’s house with Aunt BK, Mom, Dad, Alicia, Marissa, Nick, Tony, Angie, Uncle Denny, Karen, Mike, Aunt Fay, John Michael, Shane, Richard, Linda, Katie, David, Laure, Jeff, and often many others. The Schirripa family is a loud talking, game playing, song singing, laughing, and loving group. Family gathering were always full …