A topic that has been discussed more than a few times among the Flotilla is who we think will actually visit us and who will be first. The answer for Gualby is my brother, Michael. He is a post college grad, mid-grad student who was not finding what he was looking for in his current life. He flew into Cancun on February 17. He pulled into the ferry terminal two hours after we thought he should have arrived with a huge grin, a big hug, and great attitude despite multiple complicated taxi rides from the airport. He had a backpack, his guitar, and a one way ticket. He was ready to clear his head, breath some fresh salt air, and get some new perspectives on life. We are stoked to have him.
We drank some beers and caught up with family stuff while waiting for the ferry and on the windy ferry ride from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. We gave Mike a tour of the boat, showed him how to use the toilet and the foot pumps for water and called it a night early. Well, early by Mike’s standards, it was 9:30pm and way past Con and my bedtime. Our first visitor had arrived.
The next day we pulled anchor and went for a sail to let Mike have a feel for Gualby in her best environment. It was 15-20 knots out of the east and a gorgeous day. On the way out of the bay we are anchored in, we paused next to the Stray Cat to have two Romo’s jump aboard for an afternoon of . . . pleasure sailing. We hadn’t sailed without a destination in mind since before we started this trip. It was great to just point the boat in the direction that she sails best in, fly along at 7 knots, and crack some beers and jokes. Mike took the helm for most of the day and did great. We gave him a crash course on the names of the sails, lines, and commands given in a sailing situation. He seemed to retain some of the information by the end of the day and we remembered how much we liked just sailing around for the fun of it. Great first day for the new Gualby crew.
Mike seemed to adjust almost immediately to boat life. He was quietly reading on the nets the first morning when I got up at 7:30 to make coffee. He offered to do the breakfast dishes later that morning, he’s already pumped a gallon of drinking water, and he buys his own beer. He’s fun to hang with, has an easy, no-expectations attitude, and is just plain happy to be here. His tan needs some work and he is outfitted with more quick drying, sweat wicking clothes than Con and me combined but I think he is going to fit in just fine aboard the Gualby.
M.
We drank some beers and caught up with family stuff while waiting for the ferry and on the windy ferry ride from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. We gave Mike a tour of the boat, showed him how to use the toilet and the foot pumps for water and called it a night early. Well, early by Mike’s standards, it was 9:30pm and way past Con and my bedtime. Our first visitor had arrived.
The next day we pulled anchor and went for a sail to let Mike have a feel for Gualby in her best environment. It was 15-20 knots out of the east and a gorgeous day. On the way out of the bay we are anchored in, we paused next to the Stray Cat to have two Romo’s jump aboard for an afternoon of . . . pleasure sailing. We hadn’t sailed without a destination in mind since before we started this trip. It was great to just point the boat in the direction that she sails best in, fly along at 7 knots, and crack some beers and jokes. Mike took the helm for most of the day and did great. We gave him a crash course on the names of the sails, lines, and commands given in a sailing situation. He seemed to retain some of the information by the end of the day and we remembered how much we liked just sailing around for the fun of it. Great first day for the new Gualby crew.
Mike seemed to adjust almost immediately to boat life. He was quietly reading on the nets the first morning when I got up at 7:30 to make coffee. He offered to do the breakfast dishes later that morning, he’s already pumped a gallon of drinking water, and he buys his own beer. He’s fun to hang with, has an easy, no-expectations attitude, and is just plain happy to be here. His tan needs some work and he is outfitted with more quick drying, sweat wicking clothes than Con and me combined but I think he is going to fit in just fine aboard the Gualby.
M.
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| Penny and Gimpy relaxing at the helm during the sail |
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| Penny sharing her seat with the newest crew member, Mike |
Where will you be summer of 2012? I'm there!
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