Zephyrus Finds a Crew of Two

You might by now be wondering what we mean in our 'headline' about traveling being our "contribution" to this world.  

I have found, at an even pace forward, we are gradually finding ways to contribute our freedoms and experiences to the lives of others.  One simply cannot go on living from one experience to another to another without finally bursting with a gluttonous sensation, causing a great need to feed another's desires for experience as well. 

Now that we have been blessed with a brief but "supported unemployment" season, naturally, one of the first things to do was to board Zephyrus for more than a wimpy afternoon of casual sailing.

We are sailors not merely in hobby, but in lifestyle.  Even if that means a 2 day trip Eastward to a truly "Grand Island" called by the very same name.  This time however, we each grabbed a very dear friend and they were in with "YES!" before we could even finish our invitation and before they even considered other commitments they had made for the weekend.

You see, it is in the secret wishes of many to hope for the gifts and talents that their dear ones carry.  For example, does the chef's family eat fabulous meals every night, or the massage therapist's spouse receive massages every week, or the sailor's friends go sailing often?   Some may know someone with enough consistency to provide such regular experiences, but more often than not,  life gets filled with tasks and schedules and often falls into a world of unfulfilled planning and many "we should's" and not enough "we did's." 

So in our gentle ways of rebellion, Corey and I remembered our times sitting in paradise for weeks in other countries feeling tired of being gluttonous travelers, so, going against the grain, found a way to finally answer the call to the "we should."   And we did.

May I introduce you to our very capable crew:

 It was indeed spectacular as far as sailing as a means to get from A to B goes.  We flew along at a steady 4.8 knots gliding over Superior's windy swells.  To say the least, our crew had to do some focusing on the horizon to get their guts to remain calm.  For it is not every day, one goes from being a "landlubber" to splashing across rocking swells with a chilly North wind in your sails.   Regardless of the stomachs, our crew held on and found plenty of comfortable positions and cozy things to do.  Such delight it is, to find comfortable accommodations in a time or place where it does not come obviously.  Regardless of the minor hindrances to comfort, not touching the engine for over 7 hours while maintaining velocity is an absolute victory.

Our crew:

Kait is dear friend of mine for something like three years now.  She is a soul sister and a singer together with me and has a delightfully refreshing way of looking at the world constantly through new eyes.  Almost too often, our lives collide with serendipitous effects causing us to see we are always somehow in some form of an abstract parallel, leaving us constantly amazed at our friendship.  

 Captain Corey.  Yes, I call him the captain now these days.  The brain and intuition that dwell within this man's head are far more adequate qualities for a Captain than the passion and emotion that resound in my own.  I am glad to be under the cover and protection and decision makings of this man.  He gave the go for this trip, and with a slight gamble on the weather, his general boldness propelled the trip forward, leaving us with a delightful memory that went smoother than one could have probably thought to ask for.

 Matt is a dear friend of Corey's for something like three years now as well I believe.  This man has a zeal for adventure and a deep care for his friends.  I have hardly met someone more sacrificial than this guy, who would probably trade his bed for you if you had need, even if he himself hadn't slept in days.  Sometimes I find myself jealous of all the adventures this man gets to go on with Corey separate from myself, but then I remember, there is noting more therapeutic for a man's soul then to navigate through the woods pushing dead logs off cliffs and such, while sharing a fellow 'grunt' every now and then with another dude.

Myself Meg.  I'm you're 'average' zealous quirky passionate type with more emotions then is very necessary.  Yeah that kind who is radically shaped by their faith before their actions or emotions has had time to even catch up with it.  I was delighted to be back out on the water and playing the role of Host.  I feel truly alive when I can serve little platters of beautiful food to hungry people, while drifting across the sea (well...a salt-less sea) while my captain deals with all the other stuff.  Perhaps it comes with the territory of attaching a Mrs. to my name, but this little time showed me how deeply ingrained it is in my being to provide a comfortable, even if temporary, home for fellow journeyers.   

And Zephyrus.  Even after her washed ashore scrape upon the rocks in a couple feet of water and breaking Corey's hand last year, even with all the stress she causes whether in or out of the water, you can't help but feel a profound attachment and forgiveness while watching the sun set across the bay, while sipping wine, devouring a fish dinner, with the laughter and joy of friends, as Norah Jones smoothly drifts her vocals into the atmosphere and the quiet sounds of trickling water flow below you as you drift into the best deep sleep of your life.

This is why we sail.

More to come,
M