Connections & Communities

Some think of cruising as a solitary pursuit but, especially in this wired age, it's first and foremost a community. Last week our land and cruising community got stronger and bigger.

Sailing is tied to seasonal weather patters so cruisers, and the ships of yesteryear, move in groups as they avoid winter storms in one hemisphere and seek out good wind in another. Ships used to meet on the high seas and exchange mail, gossip and occasionally visit via riding in a barrel on a line between the two. Today, boats hopscotch around the world encountering each other in various ports. And often you'll meet a boat who rafted up with the people you rafted up with 2 years ago. The other thing that quickly becomes apparent is that cruisers don't have last names it's Russ and Alison from Andante or Nat and Betsy from Bahati. Boat names morphing into surnames.

When we cruised to Maine in 2007, we docked at Mystic, Connecticut's Mystic Seaport Museum. We met Rachel & Claus from Kyanna and began following their blog. On hearing our Newfoundland plans, they e-introduced us to Jim & Ellie aboard Meta Fog who have cruised extensively in Newfoundland. They've been a great resource of practical tips, e-introductions to others in Nova Scotia & Newfoundland and lots of encouragement along the lines of "Just go you'll love it!" Last week they were in Washington, DC touring and picking out where to bring their boat this fall. We were able to meet over coffee and put faces to those internet identities!

Saturday was dinner with some dear friends who'll be keeping an eye on "the store" while we're gone. Always great food, conversation & laughter. We're hoping they'll join us for some part of this sailing adventure.

Do you have a friend that you see once in a blue moon and you're able to pick up like it's been yesterday? Terri's that kind of friend. We interned at the Pee Dee Area Health Education Center in Florence 25 years ago. Yikes! We stayed in touch and began writing real letters. She was in DC a few years ago and we met for breakfast. That's the only time we've seen each other in that 25 year period. She and her family were in Annapolis yesterday and we met for an hour at City Dock. Our husbands came along and it was instant fun, catching up in person.

So take a minute and get in touch with someone you haven't chatted with in a while or make a connection with someone new or have pure fun with someone you see every day! Cheers