I woke up this morning with an Ah-ha that I haven’t been listening to Traffic on the Nines and I didn’t go to bed last night asking cosmic fashion goddesses to send inspiration on what to wear to work. Astonished, that two activities with the same familiarity as putting milk back in the fridge would become instantly forgotten when I took a leave from work. The theory, Survival of the Fittest explains it for me. Avoiding traffic snarls and appearing professional contribute zilch to surviving the perils of crossing a vast ocean in a 36 ft. fiberglass cocoon. While it sounds contrite, preparing for the experience has shown otherwise. The last few days of 6-8 hour sailing, studying navigation charts, and docking a 9 ton vessel without losing life, limb, or property have been daunting because they aren’t second nature to me; such as putting the milk back in the fridge. This week’s events have been scary at times, humbling always, and challenging to what I’ve sometimes taken for granted. But, I’m getting there.
What helps to quiet my fears is perspective thinking. Monitoring channel 16 on the VHF is my new Traffic on the Nines. Having a Naval Warship hail Seamore Pacific on the VHF for a bit of “chit-chat” on how to avoid a traffic snare with a United States warship is just a more personalized traffic report. Right?
Another internal pep talk is, that if I didn’t break a sweat when I drove a hunk of metal 65 mph, a few feet from another hunk of metal going 75 mph, with another hunk of metal going 90 mph cutting in front of us, and another hunk of metal that suddenly slows and weaves when it’s multi-tasking operator is busy texting, eating, and applying mascara; then I can sail this boat across an ocean and park it into a skinny slip…all while painting my toenails with Sailor-Red polish.
Enough pep talking and day dreaming. Time to get back to work on getting Seamore Pacific and her crew ready for Mexico. Next on the list is to anchor tomorrow night at La Playa Cove.
Seamore Nautical Spirits 
Love it. Love it. Love it! Nothing like a little white knuckle sailing to give you some real inspiration for blog posts. Your adventure has just begun! So excited for you.
It is starting to come together! Tonight we attended a West Marine seminar on offshore communication. Very helpful at eliminating choices. The audience was split between those going on the Ha-Ha and those thinking about it. Hard to believe it was a year ago we were part of the audience of ‘thinking about it.”
I’m still amazed you took your sailing classes with a broken wrist 🙂
I became an expert one handed helmsman. It makes docking now with two a piece of cake. Hard to believe that was a year ago too. It is funny how much life changes in just one year. Keep up the posts…..they’re great.
Hi there! Reading your blog is just like sitting next to you having a chat. 🙂 Can’t wait to hear more…!
Oh Cheri- So good to have you along for the journey! Being one who has served her country in uniform, you can appreciate that the marina we are in is just across from Coronado and the Naval Base. With jets taking off every few hours it is like watching Top Gun every moment of everyday. At 8 am the Star Spangle Banner is broadcasted from the base and then Taps closes the day…somewhere between 5:30 and 6pm. It gives me goose bumps every time. Stay well my friend!
Ahoy there
Right!!
Learning to dock a boat, sail, etc
Is no different than having to learn anything else in our lives.
Its all a matter of perspective.
Remember when we learned how to start an iv or place a foley catheter? I don’t know about you but, I was scared to death!
But I was determined. My livlihood depended on it.
You are THE MOST determined person I know. You have ran 100 miles twice just for shits and giggles of it.
You go girl!
You can do anything!
Ox
You are right, Luannne…Betheny can do anything! I love your post.