I have asked myself this question many times. After all, if I am honest, there are countless hours to ponder just about anything while at sea. In this case, we have been at sea for 6 years as of April 15, 2025. Having the sea as a teacher, at times is like a drill instructor with little patience for any bright ideas coming from its students. These lessons you have to accept, I have come to learn this over the last six years. However, when we left land life I had several goals – a bucket list if you will. Some overlap with Tami’s list and many are my own. Let’s see how I’m doing.
Exotic Places
The obvious, white elephant in the room, is to travel to remote and exotic places. To date we have explored 7 countries by boat. We completed what most consider the longest open water passage most cruisers will ever complete – the west coast of the Americas to French Polynesia. We learned early on to spend as much time exploring land as we do in the water. We continued our journey across the “Dangerous Middle.” This path took us to the Cooks Island, America Samoa, Samoa and eventually Tonga. Through all of this I have come to a few conclusions that may be a bit controversial. One, I have no clue why most US citizens think the US is the best place on the planet. Perhaps they need to travel more! Freedom, lots of places have more. Healthcare, most countries see it as that and not a business to keep people sick. I could go on but I won’t – today.
Exoctic People
Second, “people” make places. The enduring kindness of a warm welcome. Sharing a meal or an offering of just about anything – no money just kindness and we have come across a great deal of this. Beyond the interactions with the local islanders, is all the other boaters we meet along the way. It always amazes me how many countries are represented in any anchorage you arrive to. Everyone has something in common and the culture of crusing remains the same for everyone. Your boat neighbor is always ready to help, drink your beer and chat about the weather. Everyone has their own sailing horror stories, so you can save yours for another audience. So much fun, spending time chasing the horizon to share the moment you arrive somewhere completely new. This is of course the good news, as with everything this beauty doesn’t come without challenges.
You have too want it…
Challenges come in many forms when living on the sea. Some take the form of boat issues, like toilets and lightning. Others are people issues, like this fable we were lulled by called “buddy boating.” Sometimes it is the local language, yet we noticed this never seems to get in the way of kids playing together. Other times challenges come from what was home. Then of course we have personal challenges. Losing Tessie at her young age was quite a blow to the boat crew. Facing fears, anxiety, the unknown and the fury of the sea when she decides to remind you who is boss. There is always something to work on, if not the boat it is us.
Still chasing personal goals
I had many personal goals when we left the US to sail about. Many of those have come true and other are somewhat elusive. One such elusive goal has been improving my personal health. While I do believe that simply getting out of the grind helped tremendously. However, I replaced that with much worse options. I have battled alcohol consumption for much of my adult life. It has taken a toll on me, my kids and certainly Tami. I have had so many close calls falling out of boats, on to docks and off of them that I consider myself quite lucky to be here. I thought I would have nothing but time to get myself into the shape I should be – well it took 6 years to get that going.
It has been just recently, while Tami was tending to family challenges back home, that I feel I finally was able to make progress on these personal items. Three months ago I weighed 225 LBS, today I weighed 194. Through this process the inflammation in my joints is gone. I deal with the heat and humidity much better than before. I recently had a physical and all my blood markers are perfect, in fact, the doctors aren’t even sure I really need to be taking my thyroid meds anymore. So many positive things, make you wonder why it took so long. How did I do this you may ask. Well that is a discussion for another time. But I will share that it wasn’t traditional, to most, and totally based on my diet. I have not exercised at all.
I wouldn’t change a thing
Anyhow, here’s to six years at sea. Six years of exploring and learning. Six years of testing one’s metal against the elements and the sea. Six years of sunsets and sunrises. Six years with the only person I would want to spend 24 hours a day in a confined space.
