The End of an Era

I’m happy today. Not “giddy-happy”, or “Iwanttogooutdancin happy”. Just happy. But my joy is bittersweet.  Along with it comes some sorrow. Because today, we released our probably-last link to the liveaboard sailing life. Today we sold El Gato. Ten years ago, Jeff and I sold 90% of our worldly possessions, … Continue reading

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Fledglings

I’m beginning to fledge. Is that the correct terminology? You know, it’s when baby precocial birds sprout their fuzzy down before their little feathers begin to poke through their wrinkled skin. My freshly formed fluff appeared a couple of weeks ago, despite the fact that I was actively receiving chemotherapy.  … Continue reading

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The Swim

I’m not a swimmer. Sure, I can swim, but for me, “freestyle” means merging any combination of strokes and kicks that will keep me from sinking below the water’s surface. I excel at the dog paddle, and can tread water all day long. It’s not pretty, but I stay afloat. … Continue reading

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Sailfest in Zihuatenejo

Have you ever heard of Zihuatenejo? If you saw the movie Shawshank Redemption, you may remember it as the idyllic beach that Andy Dufresne painstakingly chiselled his way out of prison and crawled through sewage for. Yep. That’s the one. El Gato spent 5 weeks in Zihuatenejo this winter for … Continue reading

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Moonlight Madness

The assault began the instant I switched the light on. It took me a minute to comprehend just what was happening before I shielded the beam with my hand, but I realized at that moment my choices were dim, either way.  I could stumble blindly through the pitch black night, … Continue reading

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All is Swell on El Gato

Any sailor will tell you that a”schedule” is merely a suggested date and time. After 19 days, however, J Cruise has not only stayed on schedule, but earned a day, as well. We have managed to depart within 10 minutes of “tee-time” each travel day, and have arrived close enough to … Continue reading

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