Kent is in Hampton, Virginia, (Nancy is now home in Normal, IL) and he's all set to crew on Lorena, a 60' Maple Leaf, with captains Brian & Karen. So far he's been there in the slip for over a week, assisting with boat projects (new solenoid, new scuppers, installing new stove, etc.) and enjoying the dock life with other Salty Dawg sailors.
This group is waiting for a safe weather window to head out on their 12-15 day passage to Antigua. But stay tuned . . . they haven't been able to get going yet! And so Kent's flying home this afternoon to spend a few more days here before flying back to re-join the crew.
And meanwhile here's my Goodreads review of Salt in the Blood: Two Philosophers Go To Sea, a recent sailing book we listened to on our drive out East.
An intrepid, brave, determined couple (empty-nesters, still active in their professions, perhaps in their 50s? 60s?) decide to buy a sailboat. Sounds simple so far. And even though they're minimally experienced with sailing they decide to leave their large & lovely home in England, move onto their boat, and head for open waters to travel the world. Um, wow!
I particularly love the part where they tried to explain to each of their 4 grown children & spouses what they had decided to do and why: "At first there was stunned silence and blank faces."
And I love how they took turns telling parts of the story, each chapter concluding with Lessons for Sailing and also Lessons for Life. Truly, sailing is quite conducive to philosophical ruminations.
For instance, here's the first sentence in the book: "All of life is a voyage to the future, carrying us beyond distant horizons, blown by the prevailing wind to which we set our sails." Yes!
