Pages

Friday, March 9, 2018

It's (almost) Over Johnny
By Michael
AJO, ARIZONA


Shortly after arriving back in Ajo from Fiji,
we took a quick trip down to Mexico (the
border is only 30 miles away). Sunsets like
this were our reward.
After seven years that stand as among the most enriching and illuminating of our lives, we’ve got an end game planned.

After we return to Del Viento in Fiji in early June, we’ll haul the old gal and paint the bottom and re-grease the MaxProp. Then we’ll check out of Fiji and head west for Vanuatu. Uncharacteristic of this crew, we won’t spend more than a few weeks there before setting sail for New Caledonia. Then, still on a delivery-like schedule, we’ll raise anchor soon after arriving and point our bow for Australia, likely making landfall in Brisbane. At this point, we’ll pack our things, clean Del Viento, put a For Sale sign on her, and fly back to the States to build a new life on land.

We’ll be back in time for Eleanor to start high school—she’s 14 for goodness sake, she’ll be 15 this fall. Frances is 12. My kids have spent the bulk of their lives so far as sailing vagabonds.

In fact, this has been such a unique and vibrant and recent chapter in my life that it feels like the bulk of my life. Seven years on a tiny private island with my family. The beauty and magic of that, especially in retrospect, is something I’ll always be grateful for.

My friend Wendy Mitman Clarke once wrote that she doesn’t like the term cruising lifestyle, she wrote that it feels smarmy, perhaps illicit. I see her point, but it leaves me with a loss of words when trying to describe the way we’ve lived as cruisers. Because it is a lifestyle, and one so removed from what is common, from how I grew up, for example, that living the cruising lifestyle imparted an identity. To most family and friends and acquaintances, we’re the only ones they know living like we do. For a decade, it’s been who we are, first as the family with the crazy plans and then as the family enjoying the cruising lifestyle.

The cruising lifestyle has suited us. It’s made us happy and rich, though not financially, but in many of the ways in life that matter. As the end draws near, we don’t have a smidgen of regret for deciding to cast off as we did. For that I’m grateful. In fact, I remind myself that most families don’t even get the short sailing adventure we still have ahead of us.

Of course, things could be different, right now regret could be the primary feeling about our cruising lives. On more than one occasion, only blind luck saved us from a very different reality. But that’s the case no matter the path we choose in life. No question I’d rather be on a path that challenges and provokes than one that pacifies. The cruising lifestyle taught me the meaning and value of the idea that life is short.

Which begs the question: why stop?

I think the reasons are different for each of us.

I feel like I have no choice but to stop, regrettably. For the past year, my gig as Good Old Boat editor has been more than a full-time job, and one that requires regular Internet connectivity. Both those demands are at odds with the family cruising lifestyle. Upon accepting this role (the previous role as managing editor was half-time and not such a conflict) we cancelled plans we’d had to head north for Japan, something that was upsetting to all of us. (Even getting to Australia this year will be a challenge, in terms of juggling work.) But, I need an income and at least this career provides an enormous amount of flexibility and mental stimulation and genuine interest. I’m fortunate that have successfully navigated a mid-life career change, and to have put it off long enough to have the time on the water we did.

Windy wasn’t ready to stop, but realized we must. And now, having gotten her head around the idea, she’s among the most enthusiastic stoppers of us all. No regrets, we’ve had a good run, time to move on. Let’s plant a garden!

Eleanor would have gladly retired from the vagabond sailing life a year ago. She wants permanence. She wants to be in a setting where she sees more people her age and sees them regularly. She wants to find her tribe. I don’t understand this. I’ve told her how miserable I found high school, but she’s got a mind of her own and that we can’t ignore.

Frances is content to keep cruising, just as we have, indefinitely. I guess she and I are of like mind that way, but I’m part of the reason we’re stopping, and she is not. I feel badly for this, but I reason that she’s the kind of kid who will be happy anyplace and she’s extraordinarily lucky to have had the time she’s had. I also feel that part of her reticence to leave the cruising life behind is tied to the fact that it’s really all she knows. Frances remembers very little of the house in Washington, D.C., the house she was born in and that we left seven years ago. She’ll be fine, but she’s not ready to leave the party.

So we’re almost done.

Going back to the identity thing, there is a nagging feeling that when we leave Australia, I’ll be leaving part of who I am behind. We’ve become those people who live on a boat and travel. I think the molting that’s coming will be good. “I live on a boat and travel,” was too easy. It begged questions for which I had pat answers guaranteed to impress. I rarely had to explain or define myself further. It was my skin and it was comfortable. Our cruising lifestyle was the why of everything. When it’s over, I'll be just another guy who lives in a house. I won’t fall back on “I used to live on a boat and travel.” Perhaps that’s the new journey ahead, a challenge to find the life ashore that provokes.

--MR
View from a road in Fiji.

Eleanor aboard Del Viento opening the package of nori
in preparation for assembling her sushi. We had dinner
together as a family (at a table) nearly every night of our cruising
lives. It's something that we take for granted and a practice
we'll maintain in our land lives.

Here we are at the Nadi airport. Windy's face says it all, it was grueling
to get to this point. We brought a lot of stuff back with us this time--one
more load like this from Australia this fall, and everything else goes with
the boat.

76 comments:

  1. That's a shame guys. Hope you continue to have fantastic adventures in your new lives.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! One of those adventures might be renting your canal boat. We don't even know if you'd consider renting it, but we've talked about that. You might hear from us that way a couple summers from now. Sail safe and congrats on #2!

      Delete
  2. I here the voices saying "it's a pity you're giving up cruising", but I can't join them. Life is changes and adventures and the new experiences we embrace. Nicki and I are barely beginning our cruising life, but already I've seen enough folks stop to understand that it's not an ending to move ashore - it's simply another transition, another beginning. Blessings on your changes, from the other end of the trip!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I salute your attitude, thanks. It's where we are at this point, but it hasn't been an easy place to get to. But we're grounded in the knowledge that we've done this before. This is our second Del Viento and second cruise. No doubt we'll be empty nester cruisers in the future, perhaps part-time, perhaps full. It's too rich and rewarding a way to see other people and places to abandon for good. And we like boats.

      Delete
  3. I feel your angst and see the inevitability of this hard decision. We are ashore now having left about when you did 7 years ago. But we're both still linked to the sea, you with the magazine, and us with our summer sailboat charter business. Being in Ajo, so close to the Sea of Cortez, I'll bet you'll find opportunities to get back on a boat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Scott, we think of you guys often, good to hear from you. You nailed it, Ajo was not an accident--proximity to the Sea a very important factor. And it's just a cool place, we love it. Keep in touch.

      Delete
  4. Looking forward to your reports on the transition. Have enjoyed following you since Alaska.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bill, transition reports coming, but first Australia!

      Delete
  5. Once a cruiser, always a cruiser I say. I'm having a little daydream of catching your lines in Brisbane...it's a 4-hour nonstop from Wellington! Love to you all. XO

    ReplyDelete
  6. All the best with the new journey ahead, we hope to cross paths with you again sometime, somewhere! Maybe a canal boat, as we have been talking about that as well.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow the end of an era. I think about you every time I submit to Cruising World (up to four bought now!). Thanks for the inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Looking forward to catching up with you all soon. Cruisers think the sod dwelling life is all vintage rum and Russian roulette, but there's more to it than that. I mean, I think there's more, I don't know, I've yet to find it, but it must be around here somewhere...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Know you and the family will have a wonderful life - wherever you are. Hope to meet you all again one of these days!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Michael, as always, I enjoy your posts. This was a very melancholy and insightful read. I was touched and moved by your observations. The post was particularly poignant as we contemplate selling Citla. Kathie and I feel privileged to have met the Robertson crew and have enjoyed following your sailing adventures. We hope to see you again during our land travels.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, I hadn’t checked your blog for a while and a friend today told me of your plans. Big decision. Hope you have a fantastic time in Fiji and New Cal and please keep us posted on how things develop! Completely understand Eleanor, we may not be far behind you! Big hugs from all of us on Rehua

    ReplyDelete
  12. Michsael - June is just about over and July on the horizon. Is it safe to assume you have been back to Fiji and are making your way to Australia, if not already there? As your time and connectivity allow, an update would be welcome for those of us who have followed Del Viento's travels pretty much from the beginning. Hope all is going according to plan.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for this post. My wife has been following you for a few years. She always shows me the budget part. We are leaving in three years out of Washington with our two boys 3, 4. I've been so busy trying to get going, stumbling across this post came as quite a blow. You mean after all the saving, work, planning, and anxiety this experience can actually come to an end and one may need to return to what they were trying to get away from in the first place!? I really connected with your situation of long days doing uninspiring work all to come home tired and barely see my kids, worried this is my existence until I'm 65 years old. I'm glad you made it seven years though! You have an inspiring crew. Would you do anything differently financially if you went back to three years before departure?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Michael, I understand your desire to move back to land but why America? That country is flushing itself down the toilet as fast as it can. Of all the places is this wonderful world, surely there is a better place to bring your children. I regret not where you are coming from, but where you are going to.
    Jim

    ReplyDelete
  15. No more waiting time for deposits with fully automated management. give both stability amb

    ReplyDelete
  16. Dr. Lewis and his team set out to find fossil bones or traces of dinosaurs that lived for years. Today, he and his team have traveled to the forest (Patagonia). สล็อต

    ReplyDelete
  17. Black coffee can help us age faster and live longer, according to a study from Coffe consumption and all-cause. pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  18. This rainy season, I would like to invite you to visit Phu Soi Dao, Uttaradit Province, which is one of the places that are the most wet during the rainy season. pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  19. e they want to play. That's because if you keep playing the same game over and over.
    Players have the opportunity to play and lose e sexybacarat

    ReplyDelete
  20. Today we will take you to see how to apply for membership to play slots at xo. Easy to apply, play and get money for sure. ข่าวบอลวันนี้

    ReplyDelete
  21. Pgslot is a game camp that is available to play and use the service by If a new player can come to apply for a new one. sexybacarat

    ReplyDelete
  22. Come to play games on mobile that will make you money from playing games as well. It is better than the prohibition of playing online slots. Apply for membership with the website, slotxo

    ReplyDelete
  23. With our low-cost slots, we want to give all online gamblers a chance. Enjoy the service as well. สล็อต

    ReplyDelete
  24. with automation Customers can easily apply for membership by themselves. Apply now, don't wait. pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  25. opportunity to make a profit for you. Therefore, we recommend 5 good betting design camps that you should not miss that can make big profits for you. difficult The list of the best game camps สล็อต

    ReplyDelete
  26. overweight, your health may have other plans for you. It is important to mention that those plans may pgslot เว็บตรง

    ReplyDelete
  27. happy with Lots of slot games The jackpot is real, it's really broken, it's the easiest to play. pgslot เว็บตรง

    ReplyDelete
  28. Most of the big gamblers will choose a website that doesn't go through an agent by choosing the best gambling website to bet with a heavy investment. pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  29. Make all members who come to bet in Top Slots Web 2022 Enjoy playing slots because slots PG and slotxo games have graphics and ดูทีวีออนไลน์

    ReplyDelete
  30. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought travel and tourism to a near-standstill, and no one is sure whe pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  31. make money online We would like to give away auspicious numbers to enhance financial luck slotxo

    ReplyDelete
  32. Therefore, 25 playlines would be considered a proper game. and deserves the player pgslot เว็บตรง

    ReplyDelete
  33. Because we are the leader of the online slots industry. with the best deposit and withdrawal system in Asia สล็อต

    ReplyDelete
  34. No need to download or make any turn to waste time. Of course, we are also kind to give you jackpots throughout every period. pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  35. Free trial slots for all camps New member deposit 1 get 50 to update slots games all the time pgslot เว็บตรง

    ReplyDelete
  36. Deposit withdraw true wallet, no minimum, can play slot games anytime, anywhere.welcome pgslot เว็บตรง

    ReplyDelete
  37. both new and old members. Or will you be a player who has never played online games before and you can be part of the ดูบอลสด

    ReplyDelete
  38. And to experience the real playing just as you will develop your betting skills Most importantly, you will still have full fun through the online website system. that can be played anywhere, anytime AMBKING

    ReplyDelete
  39. Pay attention to every service 24 hours a day, easy to play, fast, 3 seconds welcome pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  40. bedroom which is the place The most private is the bedroom, which is very safe and quiet. AMBKING

    ReplyDelete
  41. In terms of systems, it's the best. Information of players who have registered in. It is guaranteed that it will not be opened. ดูบอลออนไลน์

    ReplyDelete
  42. Direct website, new update 2022, is a modern system slot website. Easy and fast to bet AMBKING

    ReplyDelete
  43. Convenient, comfortable, full of slot games and the best prize money Don't miss it pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  44. straight web slot game Join us today Let me tell you that everyone will definitely like it. สล็อต

    ReplyDelete
  45. Access free games of this game. which certifies that If you can access free games during this period. You will profit from this game even more. pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  46. easily, meeting the needs of gamblers as well. The importance of playing the game will come to choosing the game Today we have pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  47. Wherever, at any time Place bets 24 hours a day, no time restrictions. There are no restrictions on location. pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  48. direct website free application without agent Plus being able to choose to play online slots pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  49. From the official AMBBET.BAR in Thailand, the world's number 1 slot website.welcome AMBKING

    ReplyDelete
  50. Let everyone go in and try to play hard. Win great prizes all day and night.welcome pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  51. From the past that we can make a profit only when we hit the jackpot of the game. But nowadays, there are many games that add bonuses during the game. pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  52. Es una fórmula muy popular en 2022, que ayuda a todos los apostantes a ganar dinero. en jugar tragamonedas ha aumentado un 100% สล็อตออนไลน์

    ReplyDelete
  53. Slots with small investment, small investment can be played. Invest more and more Highest Paying Jackpot together ever All members can play Slot games are easy to break. pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  54. Details about betting styles payout rate Various symbols that will help you make money in slot games. slotxo

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment; we look forward to reading your feedback. Don't forget that you may also contact us directly at delviento@hotmail.com (please type DEL VIENTO in the subject line)