Sitting here in the front cockpit on Raven, enjoying music and a cup of tea. The waves are perfect, wind is at our back and we are able to fly the Raven parasail. We are sailing, and yes life is pretty darn good! Just like life and the day to day…it’s not always that perfect or easy. There is truly always something! It’s what we do with that something that’s important! This morning to be able to get to this moment, didn’t come without swearing, sweat and frustration.
We went to raise the Parasailor and all the lines managed to get twisted and tangled. The stress level increases as we worry about the possibility of ruining the sail. Sometimes you have to stop, reflect and start over. Which we did and the reward was great! It seems to me that this is a bit of a metaphor of the past year and a half.
We have had some unexpected twists and tangles. We thought by this time last year we would have already gone through the Panama Canal and be on our way to French Polynesia. However, when the world came to a complete stand still, it has changed our plans. And truly it has been a blessing.
We spent the hurricane season last year in Grenada, which wasn’t our plan. But the beautiful country graciously hosted many of us that had no place to go. We ended up making friends that we hope to call friends for a lifetime. Grenada is usually a college town, but last year all of the students weren’t able to return. Restaurants and bars were very welcoming for us to take their place. Grenada had beautiful beaches to walk and run. Our cruising community had yoga at the pool in the mornings and cocktails in the evening. Life was pretty grand!
By Thanksgiving we were in Carriacou; and had a traditional Thanksgiving dinner on the beach with our friends. By Christmas time social distancing and lockdown were becoming a thing again in the islands again. The restaurant wasn’t able to serve us, so they delivered the Christmas dinner to our boats. For New Year’s fellow cruisers shot off flares in place of fireworks and so we rang in the New Year.
From Carriacou many of us went different directions. Everyone trying to navigate what islands were open to us, what tests were required, the new paperwork etc. Although all seemed inconvenient, it managed to help keep all of us connected and in touch. As sailors we like to plan, often over planning and over thinking the plan. This new world forced everyone to slow down, not be able to plan too far in the future, not move too fast and most importantly has forced us all to take a deep breath and be flexible.
After spending the winter and spring months in the stunning islands of Antigua, Sint Maarten, USVI’s we landed this hurricane season in Bonaire. In Bonaire we discovered amazing diving. We’ve been able to dive right from Raven, dive from the shore or the dinghy; diving was everywhere. David worked at the dive shop for a few months. We both improved our diving skills, and we made lots of friends through the diving and yoga communities. We were able to have guests fly in and be on Raven again. Everything seemed back on center. We now have untied ourselves from the mooring ball and are ready for adventure. The best part is… we are not certain of the plan!
Grenada June 2020 to November 2020
Grenada you were such wonderful hosts! Beautiful marina, hiking, cycling, beaches, chocolate, oildown, nutmeg, waterfalls, forts, breweries, diving, friends and beauty! You had it all!
Thank you Grenada
