Restraining myself was no easy lesson. There is something about Sea Turtles, and my first encounter with a Leatherback is forever imprinted on my brain.
There is something so special when you see a sea turtle while cruising or snorkeling., They are so graceful. Great story Janice. I am sure many will identify with your special love for these beautiful creatures.
We are fortunate to spend time on Kauai each summer. As best I can, I start each morning snorkeling in my favorite lagoon and after many years I know the secret spots. Most days there is at least one green sea turtle resting on the bottom, nestled under the coral. I float, watching from above and eventually, one at a time, they will wriggle free from their chosen spots and rise to the surface. They bob and break the surface a few times and if I'm lucky, one might look my way with eyes that I'm sure are full of wisdom. After a few minutes they will descend and again nestle themselves beneath their ledge of coral until they wriggle free to rise again. My wife does not like the snorkel part of snorkeling, but with the aid of a vest and the promise of turtles, I can coax her into the morning water where we drift, holding hands, watching, making a memory. Best part of our day.
We sail with the wind and the tide and the weather and not before. It always seems to me that boat building (and repair) have a similar rhythm. Some days you're in the flow and you're a boat builder; and some days you are watching glue dry. There's no "iron" jib for wooden boat repair; just time and patience.
I have a fond memory from a few years back. I convinced my wife and children to stand and wait as shipwrights working on The Western Flyer pulled a bulky rib from the box where it had been steaming for hours. They hustled it into place and fixed the bottom end with a clamp. Using a come-along they coaxed it inward, adding clamps to hold it in place as it took its bend. When the last clamp was in place and they'd finished, we clapped. It was magnificent. And, it would be another four years before The Western Flyer returned to Monterey. You'll find your rhythm. Cheers!
All of these images are wonderful and I'm really struck by the holding hands under water. It is a special feeling to witness those creatures calmly at home. "The ocean is a desert with its life underground".....those who do not venture are missing out and yet mentally and selfishly I encourage them to stay on land!
We sailed to A Bahamian National Park and Preserve, Conception, and were so excited to witness the beauty. We found complete devastation! Dead coral and no creatures. We swam that day, hand in hand, wondering what the future will bring. And scared to witness it.
Ah, the current situation...on land... We do need to find a rhythm and fall into it. As a culture we make plans and try to stick to them, whereas we may be better people if we just accepted whatever happens and learn along the way.
We'll get there. I appreciate the encouragement and am concentrating on extending my patience 🙏 and physical stamina both.
There were days in early March on the Chesapeake when I was so tempted to steer south and not stop. Just follow the bow.
I am reminded of a homeless guy in NYC who was tired of New York winters, and was given a little 20’ fiberglass boat that he repaired as best he could with the resources he had, and fitted it with blue tarp sails from Home Depot, which blew out from time to time, but he always found what he needed. Eventually he reached the Keyes, where he lived out his days on that little boat.
Sometimes you've got to stick with the plan and simply make it happen! Great story. At a monumental change in life, the one that led me here, I packed a few essentials and my dive gear into my old BMW z3.and drove from Colorado to the Keys.....
Well, thank goodness for sea turtles, sunsets, and Steadfast. And for the fact that you took your man's warning to heart. Maybe it would have turned out just fine, but if it hadn't... Respect is not often highlighted in love stories, but there we go.
Beautiful! Well written! Thank you for sharing this experience. Although I was born a Piscean, I have not spent much time in deep water. Small Swiss community in Wisconsin afforded us ice skating, roller-skating, hiking, and biking. When I hitch-hiked to San Francisco in 1968, facing the Pacific Ocean took my breath away. I have stayed on the west coast ever since, but haven’t become a boater or diver. Moved north to the Olympic Peninsula in 1999. I love the ocean and mountains. Mother Earth inspires gratitude, indeed. Thanks for sharing your story. —Ruth
Thank you fellow lover of the seas! I appreciate hearing your story and truly understand the draw. I know folks who live aboard and yet never swim....we all have our own ways to revere what matters most. Of course, now I'm going to your profile to ensure we stay connected...
There is something so special when you see a sea turtle while cruising or snorkeling., They are so graceful. Great story Janice. I am sure many will identify with your special love for these beautiful creatures.
Hello Winston!! Larry decided to publish this one too! I have you to thank for the extra exposure.
Ah, God's creatures of the sea....there are so many with such elegance, grace and determination to survive.
Hope all is well with you my friend.
Simple lives are best & persistence pays off!
Sometimes strong women hesitate to take advice even when it's warranted....we all need input on occasion!
We are fortunate to spend time on Kauai each summer. As best I can, I start each morning snorkeling in my favorite lagoon and after many years I know the secret spots. Most days there is at least one green sea turtle resting on the bottom, nestled under the coral. I float, watching from above and eventually, one at a time, they will wriggle free from their chosen spots and rise to the surface. They bob and break the surface a few times and if I'm lucky, one might look my way with eyes that I'm sure are full of wisdom. After a few minutes they will descend and again nestle themselves beneath their ledge of coral until they wriggle free to rise again. My wife does not like the snorkel part of snorkeling, but with the aid of a vest and the promise of turtles, I can coax her into the morning water where we drift, holding hands, watching, making a memory. Best part of our day.
We sail with the wind and the tide and the weather and not before. It always seems to me that boat building (and repair) have a similar rhythm. Some days you're in the flow and you're a boat builder; and some days you are watching glue dry. There's no "iron" jib for wooden boat repair; just time and patience.
I have a fond memory from a few years back. I convinced my wife and children to stand and wait as shipwrights working on The Western Flyer pulled a bulky rib from the box where it had been steaming for hours. They hustled it into place and fixed the bottom end with a clamp. Using a come-along they coaxed it inward, adding clamps to hold it in place as it took its bend. When the last clamp was in place and they'd finished, we clapped. It was magnificent. And, it would be another four years before The Western Flyer returned to Monterey. You'll find your rhythm. Cheers!
All of these images are wonderful and I'm really struck by the holding hands under water. It is a special feeling to witness those creatures calmly at home. "The ocean is a desert with its life underground".....those who do not venture are missing out and yet mentally and selfishly I encourage them to stay on land!
We sailed to A Bahamian National Park and Preserve, Conception, and were so excited to witness the beauty. We found complete devastation! Dead coral and no creatures. We swam that day, hand in hand, wondering what the future will bring. And scared to witness it.
Ah, the current situation...on land... We do need to find a rhythm and fall into it. As a culture we make plans and try to stick to them, whereas we may be better people if we just accepted whatever happens and learn along the way.
We'll get there. I appreciate the encouragement and am concentrating on extending my patience 🙏 and physical stamina both.
THANK YOU tremendously for sharing. I'm honored.
J
There were days in early March on the Chesapeake when I was so tempted to steer south and not stop. Just follow the bow.
I am reminded of a homeless guy in NYC who was tired of New York winters, and was given a little 20’ fiberglass boat that he repaired as best he could with the resources he had, and fitted it with blue tarp sails from Home Depot, which blew out from time to time, but he always found what he needed. Eventually he reached the Keyes, where he lived out his days on that little boat.
Sometimes you've got to stick with the plan and simply make it happen! Great story. At a monumental change in life, the one that led me here, I packed a few essentials and my dive gear into my old BMW z3.and drove from Colorado to the Keys.....
Life is a curvy path.
Thank you for chiming in!
Well, thank goodness for sea turtles, sunsets, and Steadfast. And for the fact that you took your man's warning to heart. Maybe it would have turned out just fine, but if it hadn't... Respect is not often highlighted in love stories, but there we go.
Beautiful! Well written! Thank you for sharing this experience. Although I was born a Piscean, I have not spent much time in deep water. Small Swiss community in Wisconsin afforded us ice skating, roller-skating, hiking, and biking. When I hitch-hiked to San Francisco in 1968, facing the Pacific Ocean took my breath away. I have stayed on the west coast ever since, but haven’t become a boater or diver. Moved north to the Olympic Peninsula in 1999. I love the ocean and mountains. Mother Earth inspires gratitude, indeed. Thanks for sharing your story. —Ruth
Thank you fellow lover of the seas! I appreciate hearing your story and truly understand the draw. I know folks who live aboard and yet never swim....we all have our own ways to revere what matters most. Of course, now I'm going to your profile to ensure we stay connected...
I love when strangers show up in my inbox! J