Blue Water Sailor

This past week and a half (June 8th - June 15th) I sailed from Annapolis Maryland to Bermuda as part of the Bermuda Ocean Race, out in the Atlantic Ocean. Being a land lubber, this was a bit outside my comfort zone.  I had done some prep work, taking a sailing class, getting familiar with the boat, etc., but had never been that far out in the ocean.  I wasn't sure how I would feel being that isolated, and having nothing on the horizon for days and days.  That turned out to be of relatively little concern.  Instead, we didn't have enough wind!

The Route

We made it about 500 miles into our 750 mile journey, and then were becalmed for 2 days.  We literally were only making about 20 miles a day, which was going to mean missed flights, lost hotel rooms, and angry wives (not mine).  So we dropped out of the race and turned on the motor, arriving in Bermuda Thursday morning. 

Dawn, 2nd to last day

Bermuda was beautiful, and I'm glad I got to send a day on the island, most of which was spent on the beach, then having dinner with the remainder of the crew that hadn't already departed for home.

Land Ho!

I'm excited that I had this opportunity.  Sailing the high seas, and becoming a Blue Water Sailor, was cool.  One of those things you dream about, but don't know how such a possibility could come about in your life.  Some of the highlights were hauling down the Chesapeake Bay in the middle of the night at a 45 degree angle, passing other sail boats at dawn, seeing dolphin tails off the starboard bow, throwing up the spinnaker sail, and seeing the deepest, clearest, darkest blue I've ever seen in my life.  I wasn't expecting the moon to rise up red every night, the cold nights (although I was prepared), and the amazing peacefulness being out in the middle of the ocean brought.

The Dingy Club, Bermuda, where we docked

I don't know if I'd consider myself to be much of a sailor, but I'm thankful that in my quest for adventures sailing is now part of my adventure repertoire. 

Docked in Bermuda