Back In The Bay

July 26th,

Yesterday Miranda and I motored up the Coan River past a red day marker crowned by a large nest of sticks. An Osprey and her chicks welcomed us home with a squawk. As the sun set we docked in a narrow, wooded creek. We looked at each other and marveled that our trip had come to an end. In this tranquil setting we gave each other a hug and congratulated ourselves on an adventuresome and enjoyable voyage, successfully completed.

Nine months earlier, as we headed south from these waters, we had given little thought to our return. We looked south to blue water and white sand, palm trees and steel drums. An ocean passage later those dreamy images became reality. Our travels were full of beautiful places and interesting people. Of course, we encountered our fair share or storms, arguments and dehydration, but the sun always came out shining in the end (except in the Bahamas where it rained the whole time).

Baggywrinkle treated us well and is to be commended for her excellent effort. She was an ideal boat for this trip, carrying us safely and comfortably over many miles of ocean. I find it amazing how much of the Caribbean we were able to see, and in such a short time. I estimate that we visited at least 90% of the Eastern Caribbean Islands!

The sadness of finishing the voyage is tempered by a sense of accomplishment. Before we left, an extremely experienced sailor in Beaufort, NC warned us that the run from the east coast of the States to the Virgin Islands is one of the most difficult and uncomfortable crossings. "Once you've done that passage," he told us, "you can handle any passage in the world." It's nice to think so.

But, for the moment we're not thinking about the next passage, but getting used to life ashore. It is time to settle back into the land locked routine of work and cars, of socks and shoes. For a while at least...