Category: STORIES
Take Your Passion Cruising
March 20th, 2010 - by Ann Vanderhoof
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In RECETA’s galley, making a Trinidadian chow, one of my favorite pre-dinner snacks.
(Photo: Steve Manley) |
When my husband Steve and I first talked about going cruising, one of the strong appeals for me of traveling on a boat was that I would have my kitchen with me wherever we went.
I love to cook, to try new recipes and experiment, and Steve is a willing guinea pig. And we both love to eat. The name we chose for our sailboat is a dead giveaway: Receta is the Spanish word for recipe; we named Receta’s dinghy Snack.
Still, I didn’t realize this passion would do more than put food on our table. I soon discovered, however, that it could open up routes for us into Caribbean life.
…Read more
How We Learn, Sharing Our Stories
March 17th, 2010 - by Laurie Clark
I don’t know why I’m terrified of water.
It’s not as though I have memories of any tragic or traumatic moment in my life, such as I’ve heard others tell when detailing their fear of the deep.
In fact, I remember a few family outings as a child to Terracina or Sabaudia or even San Felice (Italy) – beautiful warm water – like soup actually – and beaches that stretched for miles on the Mediterranean side of Italy (just south of Rome, where I come from) that were filled with laughter and a lot of splashing.
Of course great food was always a requirement for these outings, making us totally stuffed and horribly heavy as we waddled back into the soup after lunch.
I remember the beaches seemed very long and wide, a bit of a walk to arrive at the shoreline, and the sandbars seemed to go out for miles before the deep water.
My father swam well and enjoyed swimming – so why was I so frightened?
Well, let’s do what all analysts do
…let’s break it down into small sections.
Dad swam, Mom did not, my sister didn’t when small and only does so on occasion as an adult, my brother…not sure actually. I don’t swim and my son is now terrified of water and doesn’t swim (not proud of this legacy).
A friend once commented that Romans can’t swim.
…Read more
People Who've Inspired Us
March 12th, 2010 - by Michelle Elvy
This week I’m thinking of all the women in my life, because March 8 was, after all, International Women’s Day and this is, by extension, International Women’s Month.
The idea itself dates back to 1910. Its historical roots lay in the socialist movement of the late 19th century, and the international celebration of women was first put forth by German Socialist Clara Zetkin, a fervent fighter for workers’ and women’s rights in late 19th and early 20th century Europe. (More on Clara Zetkin below)
But this is not about German politics or history or revolution. This is about how, from all the chaos of the early 20th century, a legacy was born. And so, I suggest, even if you don’t agree with the politics of Clara Zetkin, you might agree that she was remarkable for her time.
And certainly you’d agree that the women who surround you today are remarkable, too.
Which leads me to reflect on women who have put meaning into my life.
They are not necessarily rebelling in the streets or founding political parties. But they are doing things that are nonetheless worth mentioning here. …Read more
Take Your Passion Cruising
March 10th, 2010 - by Gwen Hamlin
 Actually, it was the other way around: It was my passion that took me cruising.
I became an avid scuba diver while living in New York City.
I know it sounds odd, but not only is there some excellent (and very historical) diving in the New York metro area, but the city probably has the world’s best access OUT by air to great diving destinations.
I learned to dive in the first place because my sister and brother-in-law had invited me to join them and my nephew on a bareboat charter to the Virgin Islands. Since they were all divers, I assumed that meant they would be diving, and I didn’t want to be left out.
Ironically, although we did fit in a rendezvous dive on that trip, the main message I got was that many people think diving and sailing don’t mix. Something about scuba tanks and fiberglass decks, the awkwardness of getting into and out of the water, the lack of storage space, maybe even the amount of time scuba takes out of a vacation day, etc. …Read more
Cruising with kids
March 3rd, 2010 - by Behan Gifford
It’s been over a year and a half since we pulled out of our home port of Bainbridge Island, Washington, and headed south.
Going cruising as a family, instead of waiting for our children to leave the nest, is one of the best choices my husband and I have ever made.
Sure, we have some challenges that the empty nest cruisers don’t have: they probably haven’t had lego bits bind up their macerator pump, or string cheese blocking the finely machined teeth on a winch. …Read more
Relationships aboard
February 27th, 2010 - by Michelle Elvy
 “Are we gonna make it?” (me)
— “Yeah, we’ll make it.” (him)
— “I don’t know…” (me)
— “We’ll make it; sheet in the main!” (him)
60 SECONDS LATER…
— “We’re not gonna make it.” (me)
— “We should tack.” (him)
— “Yeah, we should. We’re not gonna clear that boat.” (me)
— “Wait: I think we’re clearing it. Let’s wait a bit more.” (him)
ANOTHER 30 SECONDS LATER…
— “OK, let’s tack away from that boat.” (him)
— “No, it’s too late now. Let’s fall off and jibe around.” (me)
— “OK, you’re right. You do the jib sheets; I’ll get the main.” (him)
— “Yeah; let’s go. Now!” (me)
These decisions happen fast on board our boat MOMO…
…and my husband and I usually reach a conclusion much like we did that day, when we were departing Banderas Bay in Mexico, bound for the Marquesas.
…Read more
How We Learn
February 24th, 2010 - by Dierdre Wogaman
In December 1992 I answered one more personal ad in the “Columbus Monthly” magazine, a glossy trendy publication in Columbus, Ohio. I responded by writing a note, as it was before Internet dating and instant gratification. Don called me after receiving that note.
What I did not understand at first was that he was actually looking for a cruising partner.
While on my first phone call with Don, I learned that people actually lived on boats. What a novel idea! It had never occurred to me. …Read more
Q&A: The Big Decision, Sharing Our Stories
February 17th, 2010 - by Kathleen Watt
Question:
My husband and I are thinking of living aboard a sailboat in four to five years from now. His daughter is grown and just purchased her first home while my daughter is a freshmen in high school.
I suppose it is harder for me to take to the idea of living aboard because I have a really great paying job and I feel I need to help my daughter with college. I am only 39 so leaving my career is harder than I thought it would be. Any advice for me? My husband is 47 and more than ready to leave tomorrow. He is self employed and can build or fix anything so he will not have a problem finding work along the way of our adventure.
I look forward to hearing from you if you have time or advice.
– Judy and John
(Women and Cruising sent Judy’s question to several of our friends/contributors for their thoughts. You can read Beth Leonard ’s response here, and Sherry McCampbell’s here. Here is the third response we received, from Kathleen Watt.)
Kathleen Watt responds:
Dear Judy,
When I was asked if I would be interested in responding to your question, I not only wanted to, but felt compelled to do so.
You see, my story is not unlike yours.
I moved aboard and went cruising at age 38.
I had a daughter who was a sophomore in high school, a great, well paying job, and was about to complete a university degree that I had worked long and hard for, while working full-time for many years.
I was not a boater (I got pretty seasick), I was not a water person (terrified of deep water and not a strong swimmer) and I had never sailed before. …Read more
Take Your Passion Cruising
February 13th, 2010 - by Kathy Parsons
 My big passion as I have cruised has been exploring language and culture. I have always loved getting to know other cultures: it is what drew me to the Peace Corps in the 1970s and part of what drew me to cruising almost 15 years later.
Cruising provides a perfect pace for getting to know cultures.
You shop in the markets and eat in your own kitchen – or on the streets. This is so much more satisfying than living in hostels and hotels and eating in restaurants – where everything you do is a commercial tourist transaction.
As cruisers, we can hang in a culture a while and get involved. To get to know a place and a culture, it always helps to have a mission, and though I usually have several “missions” (things that I am seeking out or interested in), so often my mission has been to get to know the language.
Really, if you can’t talk with local people then you miss out on so much
It’s like watching a movie with the sound turned off. …Read more
Interesting Reading, Take Your Passion Cruising
January 10th, 2010 - by Gwen Hamlin
We’ve just posted Admiral’s Angle column #41 to the Women and Cruising site, Taking Passions Cruising:
 “A land lubber might be forgiven for thinking that when we commit to the cruising life our main and overriding passion is for sailing.
Very often this is true, of course, but we are not one-dimensional creatures. We all have other interests, other passions — some long-standing and others we’ve never had time for before. Some will be the reason we go cruising in the first place, while others will be new discoveries. Many will fit easily with the cruising life-style; but others may take a little adaptive thinking.
… Read more
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