One Year and Still Blogging Along



Pulling into Morehead City, NC



Tomorrow, Wednesday November 24th, marks the one year anniversary of Skylark's first blog post. Wow, I can't believe what has happened this last year, everything seems like a blur at this point. When I realized that we were coming up on a year, I went back and read through the earlier posts. I had to laugh, as in quite a few cases, I didn't remember any of what I had written. Especially all the events leading up to the trip down to Florida. That was an anxious, albeit, incredible time in my life and I am not surprised some of those details fell into the shadows. What I do remember without a doubt is that I am truly thankful for all the help and support I have received along the way. I am certainly no Hemingway, but I hope I was able to get my appreciation across to all of you. Thanks.

Skylark at home in Jacksonville, FL

Throughout the year, I have received wonderful feedback from the folks that follow and made some good friends along the way. The sailing and cruising community is made up of some of the nicest people I have ever met. Having the same dreams of sailing off into the sunset makes for some fun discussions. Many "coldies" have been consumed talking about trips, sailing and the monsters that live over the horizon. As I recently read somewhere, it never gets old. As a matter of fact, there is not a day that goes by where I don't check in with cruisers out there blogging their way around the world. In many cases these folks become like family as you watch progress, offer advice and help when you can. I really enjoy following along and have been lucky to feel the warmth of far away, and not so far away places as I watch the snow fall outside the window here in North Carolina.  For those of you that would like to to follow too, there is a place on my blog that's lists my favorites. Take a look sometime and say hi to others out there. I am sure they won't mind at all.




Anchored off Oriental, NC

 To me, and to many of the folks that read these blogs, sailing or cruising is not a hobby, sport or past time. It's truly a way of life...a lifestyle that allows you to be in tune with the elements and brings you, as far as I am concerned, a sense of spirituality that is hard to find anywhere else. To some, being 40 miles off-shore in a very small boat upon a very large ocean is something right out of a horror movie. Not seeing land for days and knowing there are very large creatures only inches from your feet makes for a scary afternoon. But to me, being on watch at 2:00 am when the only sound you hear are the waves along the hull, the feeling of a warm breeze and the presence of stars like you have never seen before is what it is all about. At that very moment, when the only light for miles is coming from the dim red glow of the compass everything is as it should be.

Then there are the people. The people I have met along the way have been some of the nicest, most interesting bunch I have ever met. Most would give the shirt off their back if you needed it but all that I have met would certainly help raise a jib up the furler, drill a 4 inch hole or run some electronics. The people are what glue everything else together. Of course those quiet 2:00 am nights are wonderful, but having someone to share it all with is pretty great too. I truly hope I meet a lot of you out there so we can chat about monsters and have a few "painkillers." No matter how hard the wind blows or how high the waves get, the right people make all the difference between adventure and disaster. (Thanks Bob Bitchn')

My tattoo

So with that said, I look forward to keeping you all updated as we continue to enjoy Skylark and plan for new adventures. The to-do list has been prioritized, so it's time to get started. I don't want to miss one day of the spring sailing weather. I know the first trip will be to St. Augustine, so if there are any folks in the area who to stop by for a coldie and few stories, give me a shout. There is always room.

Have a great holiday season and a wonderful new year. See you out there...
Jim and Amy
S/V Skylark