I most definitely have had my share of high highs and low lows on this trip. And it’ll switch in a matter of minutes. Example: I’m lying in my birth last night at 0300 tossing and turning, not able to sleep, I’m responsible for these three young adults on my boat and I take that very seriously-or at least my anxiety does. We’re doing an overnight, which means we’re sailing all night, in this case 22 hours, until we get to the next anchorage. We’re taking turns being awake, two hours on, six off…unless you’re me, the captain of the boat and the one with all the weight on his shoulders not sleeping because he’s thinking of all the “what if’s” …..ugh! What the fuck am I doing here? THIS is my “dream”? Not sleeping all night long worrying? Low low! I head up top to have a look see….Amelia is on watch, it’s absolutely beautiful out, half a moon shining, stars everywhere, we sit together and a couple shooting stars go out, the boats moving along nicely, all quiet except for the sound of the water passing over the hull. Not another boat in sight, in fact nothing in sight, just water. Absolutely beautiful! Tears in my eyes. Happy. I’m here and I’m alive experiencing this with my niece. High high!

Now, I did my first official overnight just six weeks ago, on the first night of this trip. My good friend Admiral was with me, the kids hadn’t gotten to the boat yet. I played it off like no worries, I’m all good, but in truth, I was thinking “What have I gotten myself into!?” All the noise of the boat down below, creaking and groaning, is that water coming into the boat? What was that sound, that’s new! Why am I here? Low low. When it was my turn to drive, Admiral had been up for three hours, the moon was full, all sails up, perfect wind from behind. All by myself, steering my beautiful boat that I’ve put so much work and money into. I’m doing it, really out here, living the dream. Again tears in my eyes. High over the top high.

Coming into a new surf spot/anchorage, watching all three kids on the bow jumping up and down at seeing the surf, Gabe going nuts with excitement! High high.

Getting hit with the un-forecasted dreaded Santa Annas, my crew doing exactly what I yell at them over the 30+ knots of wind noise, reducing sail. Most excellent crew. High high. Three hours later pulling into the so-called good anchorage, sun setting, still blowing 30+ knots off shore. What am I doing this for? Why am I here? Low low. An hour later the wind shuts off completely, the water turns to dead glass, look where I am, no one else here, beautiful! High high.

Surfing the first overhead waves I’ve ridden in 15 years, taking off on the first wave, just like riding a bike. Just us, no one else in the water! High high.

I break the macerator pump, operator error. Now a poopy job to fix. Low low. I have Gabe to fix it. High high.

Locals stopping by in their panga to offer us lobsters, with not a thought of anything in return. What? We’re not in the USA anymore. We throw them a couple cold beers.

Not seeing my sweetheart for six long weeks, are you kidding me? Why? Fortunately she’s meeting us in Punta Abreojos in five short days, yay!

Yet another absolutely amazing sunrise, while I let the kids sleep in and I get the boat moving. Quiet, peaceful, beautiful.

Watching Tucker so enthralled with everything fish, hunting them, killing them, cleaning them and cooking them, and all of us eating them.

Another Monday and I’m not working for the man again today!

I’ve slowed down enough to even consider writing. Me? Really? Whoa things have changed.

I guess I’m just an emotional man. One moment I’m selling this freakin hole in the water where my money goes, the next I’m madly in love with my beautiful boat and considering new gadgets. Not sure what I was expecting but I really wasn’t expecting this, perhaps something in the middle every now and then would be fine, but until then this is what I have. And the high highs are out numbering the low lows.

Tor