What better way to end a Journey or a day on the water.
JOUNEY FROM NOWHERE
Well it's been 3 weeks since our unbelievable summer. The Admiral and I cannot believe it is completed and are thrilled that we achieved our goals. This, we hope, is not the last time we have an opportunity to pursue a dream such as this.
We are a bit overwhelmed with what we did and often asked about it, we are speechless. We usually end up talking about specific incidents or experiences that occurred to us while we were out. As we reflect a bit more, we then talk about what it meant to us.
Once you get beyond the "romance" of a sailing adventure, you can start to get down to the basic elements of what you did.
No doubt this was an adventure and if our health or current situations change, this may be a once in a lifetime summer. We hope not.
The dream started 12 years ago when we first took up sailing. We were looking for something, an activity , that we both could share. A few years before this, Joanne was diagnosed with a condition that resulted in her getting a disability pension. We were unsure of what was in store down the road. Once we realized that we both had a common interest in sailing and the challenges that it created and after several boats ( footitis). We started to formulate some plans. The journey we just completed was originally planned as a "Freedom 55 "project, to sail with the Belugas up the St Lawrence.
We were only 2 years late in realizing this plan. Over the years we modified our plans and ended up changing the destination only. We settled on Montreal, but in hindsight and perhaps with better planning, preparedness, etc. We probably could have achieved the original dream ( Belugas) but who knew what to expect.
We were never bored, some days were long and tedious, ( what can you do when you listen to the drone of a diesel engine for 5-6 or more hours) To be honest, I don’t recall, but something kept us physically, mentally and spiritually active. The Admiral and I learned a great deal about ourselves, our relationship, our boat and its abilities and likewise our own skills and abilities. We came a little more tuned into some basics of life. Once you strip away a few levels of “clutter” ( tv, newspapers, day to day life as we all live it, work, and other commitments, that seem to get in the way of living, you can get down to some basics. How much money, success, etc do you need to survive/exist/ live? I don’t have an answer for this question, but I do know that what we have is more than what we need. Not that I’m ready to give it up, at least yet, but this was a necessary exercise to go through, as I approach that time when, I may not be able to work and contribute like I feel I should.
Can we exist on $100/$75/$50/day?? in a boating lifestyle. Once you strip away the house, cars, insurances, monthly/weekly monetary commitments, (memberships, dues, computers, magazines subscriptions, churches, investments, etc) How much do you need., how basic do you want to get?
Well … Guess what …I found out where “Nowhere “ is!
Again after reflecting a bit, I should really call this blog JOURNEY FROM NOWHERE. Not Journey to NOWHERE.
No Where is dreaming about something, but never doing anything about it. We are thrilled that we actually left the dock, and pursued our dream for 8 weeks. Like most people, we had anxiety and concern over the trip, and questioned our skills, commitment and desire to actually do it. We left No Where ( the dock) on July 3, and arrived back in Barrie, 8 weeks later. We realized that it didn’t matter where we went, as we knew each day would bring us a new adventure. Perhaps many parts of the day’s adventures were familiar, but we also realized the excitement of the unknown. Where would be at the end of the day and what did it take to get there, Is what we enjoyed.
FUTURE
The great thing is, is that this adventure hasn’t closed a single door or opportunity. In fact, we are in great position to plan what we are going to do over the next years, to get us to the position for further adventure. The islands, North channel, the Mississippi?....
Our adventure opened our eyes to the following; None of these are viewed as negative or positive, but are observations and thoughts.
1) Get a bigger boat with some of the features we would like ( conveniences)
2) Refit our existing boat, as we know that it is quite capable to do what we want it to
3) Get better skilled ( courses, training off shore experiences,)
4) Get more experience in varying conditions ( weather, water, air)
5) Be better planned ( 2nd, 3rd and 4rth contingency plans)
6) I realize that I still need to set goals/targets and that I am result oriented. ( Not quite ready to pack it all in.
7) I realized that I enjoyed the constant movement , 20 -30 miles per day ( 5-6 hours of going somewhere)
8) I probably enjoyed the urban part of our adventure, visiting towns, observing and interacting with people a bit more than the “wilderness side of the adventure. Don’t get me wrong the landscapes, were fantastic, but “people “are sparse. In fact , I thought nature took a vacation, while I was up north, we didn’t see the wildlife we thought we would ( moose, deer, eagles, etc) ( Guess that’s why I love my career , being in the people business at the Recreation Centre I do have to work on the wilderness side a bit and find a happy balance between the 2.
Well like I said, as I read my own blog.
I started out with a number of objectives.
1) Complete the Journey
2) Come back with my wife
3) Come back with my boat
4) Come back with my wife and boat,
5) I did come back
And
I finally left “NOWHERE”
Time for bigger and wilder dreams.
For those that have followed the Journey, I thank you as it was fun sharing the Journey. As I close this adventure, the only advice I can give you, is to leave your Nowhere, (leave your “dock”)while it is possible. Who knows what is around the corner?
The Admiral and Captain.
