It has been 3 months since we got back from our sailing trip to the keys. It feels like a lifetime ago. It feels painfully long ago. We have not used the boat since. For the first month it was ok that we hadn't been back to the boat. In fact it was expected after spending so much time on her. Now changes in work situations are preventing us from sneaking down and spending one or two glorious nights on her. Day sailing just won't cut it. We are both dying to get back out on the water, relax, unwind, and get that different perspective on life that you can only achieve by being taken out of the day to day grind and being placed on a sailboat.
The bad part is we've gotten a really good taste for "the life." Living free on the water. Exploring and moving on whims and at will. On the sailboat 90% of the things you do during the day are for your own survival. By this I mean making sure you have food, water, and shelter. We take all this for granted on land.
Food: Do we have food? Is it spoiled or wet? How can it be cooked? How long will what we have last before all the dry ice or regular ice melts and there is no way to keep it cold. What order should stuff be eaten in. Etc.
Water: Do we have water. How much? Is mold growing in that container? If we get stranded how long will the water last before things get desperate?
Shelter: Where are we? What condition is the boat in? Where do we need to go? How do we get there? Whats tide condition, wind direction, depth? What happens if we run aground? Capsize? Get a large leak? Sail rips? Motor breaks? Etc.
Normal life on land is cushy and relatively safe. Only probably 10% of your regular life thoughts and activity go towards making sure you have food, water, and shelter.
I miss the meaning and purpose I got from regular activities during a typical day aboard a sailboat.
