Sailing Home: When Friendship Calls
Wednesday November 2, 2022
Life on the water is about flexibility, and sometimes that means changing course when something really matters. We've learned over years of cruising that the most important plans are the ones you can adapt. When we heard about our friend's illness, it wasn't even a question - we were heading back. The vast, blue expanse of the Sea of Cortez suddenly felt smaller, more urgent. Our meandering lifestyle screeched to a focused purpose: get home, see our friend, be present.
"Fast" is a hilarious concept in cruising. After spending two months slowly making our way to Bahía de Los Ángeles, exploring every little cove and bay, "quickly" is still a relative term. For us, a fast passage might mean 50 miles a day instead of 30. We're not racing; we're sailing. Each nautical mile is a deliberate, thoughtful journey. But this time, our hearts were pushing us to move with a bit more purpose, a bit more speed.
One last town run - the essential provisioning mission. Rum for us, cigarettes for George - because these are totally "necessities" in the cruising world. We've learned that provisioning isn't just about food, it's about comfort, about the little things that make life on a boat feel like home. The yellow tienda knew us well by now. The owner smiled, understanding our ritual of restocking, knowing exactly what we'd choose. Rum bottles carefully wrapped, cigarette cartons tucked safely away, we were ready.
The boat was prepped, supplies were stowed, and friendship was calling. Sometimes the most important navigation is guided by the heart, not just the chart. Our boat wasn't just a vessel; it was our home, our means of connection. And right now, it was carrying us to someone who needed us.
Just another day in the cruising life - where plans are written in sand, and relationships are the true north on our compass. The sea teaches you that the journey is never just about the destination, but about who you're sailing for, and why. It’s time for bed, we have a long journey tomorrow. The next leg of our trip will be the longest yet.