As we have begun preparing Makara for our departure, we have become frequent visitors to the local Annapolis West Marine store. On any given weekend we make two or more trips there, usually for something small like a couple stainless steel screws or a piece of wire for the project du jour on Judy’s seemingly never ending list. Because of the frequency of those visits, we have come to know many of the members of the staff of this store. We have come to learn the boats they sail or live on, and in some cases the details of their own plans for making an “escape”. 

Recently, after a brief hiatus from visiting the store due to a much needed break after the lightning incident coupled with business demands, we ran into Al. Since he had not seen us in a while, Al, with genuine concern in his voice, simply said “Thought you’d be headed south by now”.

Indeed, we thought we would be joining the southerly migration of boats from the Chesapeake into the Caribbean that occurs at the end of the hurricane season. Shortly before the christening of Makara, about fourteen months ago, Judy and I set a private goal of “shoving off” on November 11th (11/11) at 11:11AM. We held on to that goal through most of the summer, even to the extent of letting our kids and family come to the house and pillage various items they wanted, including my much beloved treadmill.

As summer started to draw to a close, even after nearly a two month set back from the lightning strike, it appeared that our goal was beginning to slip away. For me, the moment when I knew 11/11 was gone was just after 4AM on Monday morning as I was driving to Newark airport for my weekly trip to Atlanta where my work has currently taken me. As usual I was listening to the BBC World service on our local Public Radio station, and the news reader was talking about the collapse of Lehman brothers and the global credit markets. It was at that point I realized that our house, which we had recently put up for sale as part of wrapping up our land based existence, was unlikely to sell anytime in the foreseeable future. And so, as we have watched the wild gyrations in the world financial markets which have occurred since that fateful day, we have been kind of in a state of confusion, unsure what the next move should be. This is one of the reasons we have not updated our website recently.

As you can imagine, given that Judy and I are both disciplined goal oriented people, recognition that achievement of a goal which we had so carefully planned was not going to happen on schedule, regardless of how ambitious it was, was pretty devastating. However, a recent log by a former associate of Judy’s who has just started his cruising adventure put our situation in perspective.

Addison, on board his vessel “Three Penny Opera” was pondering how little progress he had made in the most recent week – just 150 miles. While thinking about this he had an epiphany when he realized that he needed to think of his progress not in terms of the last week, but how far he had come in a broader sense. For Judy and I this was a great comfort in that we also were able to reflect on our recent progress toward our goal, but on how very far we have come since we started this journey.

Consider that a little less than five years ago we really had few goals and were somewhat lost in the world of conspicuous consumption that many economists suggest is the root cause of the seriousness of the current financial crisis. Since that time we have very much focused our lives, designed, built and commissioned an expedition sailboat capable of sailing around the world, and have dramatically simplified our lives. We can also say with confidence that it is no longer a matter of IF we will cast of, but at this point simply when. Few people who dream the dream ever really make this huge leap.

I am happy to say we are pretty much through the emotional angst, and in typical fashion, have realistically surveyed the situation, thought through the options, and have developed a new plan. It would appear that through providence that our house will soon be sold, although at the cost of a commitment of my time. It also seems likely that Judy too, will very soon bring her work career to a close, which will allow the necessary focus required to make real headway on her damnable list. Yes, things aren’t moving on the schedule we originally planned, but in the true spirit of the mariners of old, we adapt, improvise, and overcome.