Learning to Reach

January 1994 we spent a long weekend in San Francisco for Dave's birthday. It was also when the biggest sail boat show on the west coast, Sail Expo, took place. Besides the boats in the water there were vendors for dinghies, custom mattresses, outboard motors, emergency beacons, pans, life jackets and about anything else you could think of. One of the attractions for us was the seminars. We had signed up for a few including engine maintenance, food storage and favorite cruising spots off the pacific coast of Mexico. All of this lead to future plans. But wait, it all began much earlier. Friends called and said they were looking at chartering a sailboat in the Caribbean and would we like to join them. We asked a few questions, discussed dates and then we said yes. After looking at many options Patty selected the vessel Encore owned and operated by Ann and Marvin. Five of us went, Tom and Patty and Patty's sister Chris and us. Four engineers and me. Then we found what a perfect choice Patty made. Marvin is also an engineer and Ann was an English major. Soon those with engineering degrees were discussing how the wind provided lift and other technical things. Meanwhile Ann and I talked books. It was a wonderful week of swimming, snorkelling, sailing a one person boat and having a great time. We had so much fun that we took the kids two years later. It was just as good. One of the bonuses of the boat being owner operated was that they could go more places than other charter boats. Consequently we often anchored in " hidey-holes" where there was only room for very few boats. Both kids had fun with all the various toys; windsurfer, snorkel gear, underwater camera, and one person sailboat called a mini-fish. One of my favorite memories is watching them sailing the mini-fish. They went downwind and across with little problem, only dumping each other a few times. The fun began when they tried to go upwind back to Encore. Finally they gave up. Being competitive swimmers it was much easier to swim pushing the mini-fish back. We all had such a good time and talked about it so much that Dave's dad, Jim, said if we ever went again he wanted to go. Our next adventure was chartering a sailboat in Hawaii ending in Maui where Dave's parents had a condo. They had rented another condo so the whole family was all together. We discovered several things during that charter. One was the difference between a single hull and a trimeran. Second was that people really do get green when seasick. Poor Kari did not enjoy those five days. After Todd graduated from high school we decided to go to Encore again since it might be our last opportunity for a family vacation. Of course we invited Jim. Dave's mother took the opportunity to visit a long time friend in Florida. Again everyone had a great time. It was also a time for Dave to continue quizzing Marvin about boat maintenance and navigation. I continued to learn about food storage and preparation. One fun thing was grocery shopping in different areas. The British Virgin Islands reflected their heritage. I was excited to discover several different curry blends. Good thing we did not have TSA inspectors at that time. They would have thought I was trying to hide something with the strong curry smell. Three years later when Kari graduated from high school we went again. This time with an added bonus. The charter guests after us wanted to be picked up in Saint Martin. Would we like to explore that area too and would we like to help on the passage. Dave jumped on the opportunity to be on the passage as did Todd. Kari could only think about her experience in Hawaii and wanted to join them in Saint Martin. Dave, Todd and then girlfriend now wife, Cindy flew to Saint Thomas 5 days early and took a few days to aclamate and show Cindy some highlights before making the passage. So Kari Jim and I flew to Saint Martin most where they met us. This was a fun area to visit because there is Dutch and French islands. Of course everybody had a great time. Ann and Marvin had a policy that after four charters the 5th is free because by then you are friends. That was true for us. Once again we helped move Encore to Saint Martin and did some maintenance that Dave loved. As Dave became more enamored with everything about sailing I decided I better learn a little too. This was really the first time I had tried the mini-fish. After I dumped him a few times Marvin tied a very long rope to the base of the mast and left me to figure it out on my own. All of these experiences led Dave to subscribe to sailing magazines and going to boat shows. After one show he came home and said he found the boat he wanted to buy. I decided that I better get interested if I wanted to remain in his life. Therefore the trip to San Francisco was my way of saying I am with you. While there I looked at sailing schools. We had learned playing tennis that some things were better done separately. I found the right place to learn. The women's sailing association was sponsoring a learn to sail womens week at several sailing schools. I signed up for one on the west coast of Florida. Might as well have sun and warm water. It was a great choice. All of these experiences led to our choice to buy a sailboat and later leave the routine and marina behind. It also shaped and prepared us for unexpected twists and turns of life. One of the sailing magazines gave me a favorite saying. The difference between ordeal and adventure is attitude.