June 1, 2008

June 1, 2008Leaving Des Moines was not as difficult as I had imagined. Finding logical sense of where to place the last minute food, clothing and amusing toys to keep me occupied kept me busy until it was time to assist Pat in coming free of the moorage. Melinda and I said our good byes with love that only a mother and daughters can understand. I watched her walk up the steep ramp to the truck; she did not turn back to watch me wave to her, hear me say a silent prayer to protect and guide her during my leave. Rick had good advice with a humorous twist and friendly smile as he released the dock lines. Earlier, Jeanne came over with encouragement and wisdom of communicating – Captain to Best Mate and visa versa. It was just past noon. We were on our way.
My head was going in many directions: I wanted to remain close to ‘be there’ for my daughter; but I knew that this time was meant for her to learn what inner strength and assimilate the courage and wisdom that she has within her. Leaving my garden, the soil that nourishes my soul as much as it does the plants and flowers I’ve planted and nurtured. Letting go of my home with my ‘things ‘ that tie me to someone, some time or some place. In most rooms there is a full lifetime of projects begun or merely waiting to emerge. Then the thoughts turned to my husband. It was time that I follow his lead and become his ‘best mate’.
The sea, the rhythm to cruising – reading charts that describe the currents for incoming and outgoing tides, times of high and low tides, tide prints, navigational maps with buoys warning of caution, heights of bridges, taking note of the barometer’s pressure change each morning and taking care of the ’Princess ’with coffee first thing in the morning and at the end of the day all and more, bring to life a man that is transformational. A brightness comes to his eyes, an ease across his face as he relaxes and yet is vigilant to the needs of Liberte’; required conditions of the wind, the reading the water and its’ power. Orders flow “to pull in the main”,” let the jib out”, “ready to tack”; to a neophyte they seem sharp or rather abrupt, but to a sailor of 40 years plus, it is merely a function of sailing forward. I am amazed as he sits on either starboard or port, high on the side, looking up at the main, beyond the jib, down to the horizon, looking for traffic, wind patterns on the water’s surface, one hand on the wheel and sometimes just letting go and allowing the boat to set itself in the ‘groove’. Should a strong puff of wind show a sign of aggression, he will securely hold the wheel and regain command. When the winds are strong and serious, he takes a stance behind the helm and places two hands on the wheel. When he is at the helm I trust his judgment, although that doesn’t mean that it is always pure pleasure. When the boat lurches from one wave to another or extended periods of time Liberte is healing beyond 30 degrees I don’t consider this my style of fun. Nevertheless, Pat is definitely in his element once his feet step onboard Liberte’. He is more alive and happier afloat in a boat, than any place I’ve seen him.
By the time we approached Three Tree Point, the main was up and we were sailing downwind at an easy 4+ knots. This was a gentle, easy start for me to immerse myself to a different way of life, a vagabond of sorts for two months at sea. A little later we unfurled the roller furling and picked up speed. By three PM we were docked securely at the Blake Island marina. Shortly after our arrival the Good Times Ship took the visitors back to Seattle. This left the island to a handful of boaters, most remaining within their large power boat. It ends up that we knew the couple moored in front of us; they had helped their son Collin, start the Mid Sound Summer Social races the first year and I was busy documenting the event with photos. The conversation we had later that evening once again convinced me how the people cruising are rich with stories and strong with support!
We laced up our hiking shoes and took an easy hike through Blake Island. Even though most of the moorage was filled, there was no sign of others sharing the path. The path also indicated that there had not been many previously passing through. Where the canopy was thick overhead, the path was thick strewn with windfall debris; not yet pounded down to the consistency of fine bark. The new grasses of spring, soft with fresh growth, were positioned upright. Had someone been by, it had been long enough that the grass rebound with resilience of early life. On both sides of the path, new fronds were pushing aside the old sword fern, bracken fern was reaching as high as five feet. Minute vines of some wild berry were decorated with white blossoms – promises of bearing fruit later on this summer. The air was permeated with a light, sweet essence, I saw no roses, yet it smelled of such. At the start of the hike, the trail followed parallel to the coastline, thus the gentle breaking of the waves broke against the beach and tumbling a few smaller stones. Ah, the sound of birds was true music to my ears. Should this journey continue to expose me to similar trails, the separation from my garden will not be so hard to endure.
By the time we returned Pat was more than ready to open his new kayak. Was it made with the newer valves that hold? We sure did hope so. After last weekend’s adventure with the four year old kayak; the valves were not trustworthy of holding air. Ever have that sinking feeling? Pat sure did! Now, we are happy to relate, the new kayak is perfect. He sits high above the water line, it tracks well and there is no sagging anywhere. We paddled around the marina and out just a little way to relax. There were hundreds if not thousands of tiny, fish, jumping all over the water. The surface was as if it was raining in reverse, from the surface upward. The wind and current were strong enough and we were tired from the excitement of a new journey that we chose not to venture out to test our prowess and return back to Liberte’.
The new Force 10 barbeque works hot and we will have plenty of time to work out the refining of the flame! Pat will have rib steak to practice on Monday. Having a refrigerator with a freezer, no matter how small, really helps to pack a great stockpile of healthy food.