Full Circle

Once again the air is cooler, the leaves are changing colors, faster than one can imagine. Another year has come, and is quickly drawing to an end. Just like the season, we too change with the year, although so slowly it is hard to discern. My own colors are turning whiter as the the years fall off, or on, depending how you weather them, but I don't really mind getting older, its just another chapter of life to experience. This is a bitter-sweet time of the year for me; bitter because it ushers in the end of the sailing season, and sweet because I love the crisp clean air of Autumn.

With the end of the sailing season comes the work of getting the boat ready to make it through the long winter months. Sanding and scraping old tired varnish was the first order of business for Aquilon. All of the cushions, pillows, and blanket were stowed away or brought home. And the water systems were drained and refilled with marine anti-freeze. Working on the boat is a kind of therapy for me, concentrating on something other than my job, gives my mind the freedom to wander and contemplate the life aquatic.

During the winter months, we only visit the marina once or twice a month, just to check and make sure everything is ok with our big baby. This year we also had to winterize Williams jet ski; we will have to add that to our list to visit in the coming months.

The wind, from the east was cold and brought hints of the winter to come. Marina friends were all huddled in their boats trying to dodge the cool stiff breeze, while enjoying beverages with other friends. Our other friends, Deb and Tim, finally set sail for warmer waters after plunging their boat in the Chesapeake bay, the smile on their faces says it all about the adventure they are starting on.

Martina and I envy them, but it also gives us renewed enthusiasm to follow our own dream to be cruisers. Winter will come and go and spring will bring the promise of another season of sailing, and with it, we nudge a little closer to our goal.