I Wander: notes from a restless graduate: Gone Cruising

Everyone has special moments from their childhood that they swear they'll remember forever. For me, one of the most special moments of my past, was a night spent with my aunt and uncle aboard their 35 foot liveaboard sailboat. I was five years old, and, although the memories have faded a little with time, they're still in the back of my head somewhere, reminding me, not only of how much I love sailing, but also how much I love the little things that owning a sailboat affords. Things like looking back at the shore just because you can, eating breakfast in the cockpit as a water-colored sunrise beckons a new day, listening to wind in the rigging, spending a lazy afternoon reading in the cabin or on deck, and being lulled to sleep by the sound of water on the hull. Things that I've missed. I got back into sailing because I love sailboats, sailors, the wind, and the sea, but I always hoped that someday I would get a chance to experience, once more, the joys that just being on a sailboat brought me as a child. Last Friday I found my chance.

Above: My sister and me on our uncle's sailboat, Why Not III.

The Waterfront at USF St. Pete, where I sail the J/24, is taking a "sailing trip" from May 5th to May 7th. It's only two nights and three days, but it's time spent messing about on a sailboat. Aside from living on a boat for three days, the trip offers two other thrilling things - well, thrilling to me. First of all, I actually get to sail to a different port. I've always just gone out for an afternoon and then come back in to my homeport. I've never gotten to go anywhere. And secondly, in order to get out into the Gulf of Mexico we have to sail under the Sunshine Skyway (the I-275 bridge that crosses the mouth of Tampa Bay from North to South). I know that to many people this probably doesn't sound that exciting, in fact, being on a sailboat for three days probably sounds horrific, but to me, it's exactly what I've always wanted - to travel in a cramped sailboat and to see the bottom of the Skyway. I'm strange, I know.

Above: The Sunshine Skyway and I-275 connecting St. Pete and Bradenton.

I don't actually know much about the trip - only that it's two nights and three days. The waterfront is taking their two cruising boats (30-37 ft.) and maybe a third one that was just donated last week, and I'll be going with several strangers that I haven't met. In fact, I don't even know how many other people have signed up for this little (mis)adventure. At $85 a night, including most meals, it's really not a bad deal. Three days on anyone else's boat would most likely cost me at least $300, not including food, and I probably wouldn't meet any new people. The current course, which is weather dependent, of course, takes us heading to Gulfport and the ICW on the 5th, then out to Egmont Key at the mouth of the bay on the 6th, and then to Longboat Key in Sarasota or the mouth of the Manatee River in Bradenton on the 7th, and then back to St. Pete by approximately midnight. It isn't long, and it isn't far, but I'm more excited than a kid at Christmas.

Above: Egmont Key and the entrance to Tampa Bay - taken spring break of 2006.

I must admit that I'm a little apprehensive about such an undertaking. I've never spent three days in close quarters with people that I don't know, but I have spent four years living in apartments with randomly assigned roommates, so if I can do that and survive then three days on a boat shouldn't be too bad. Having only spent one night on a boat a long time ago I'm not sure what to expect there either, but I'm sure it will be fun. I'll probably be too excited to sleep, but when has that ever been a bad thing? Mostly I'm just afraid that I won't have fun, but then I remember what my parents said to me when I called and told them about it, "You're going to have a blast!!" I'm sure they're right - it is me and a sailboat after all (see excited/happy smile in above picture).

Above: The St. Pete pier, my homeport is just to the left.

I signed up for the trip today so there's no turning back now, and I'm fine with that. Even if the wind dies and I only end up floating to the Skyway and back, or if we get caught in a storm and I get drenched it will still be better than most things that I've done recently. All that's left now is to pass my finals, move out of the dorm, pack for my trip, and make it to the dock on time. That sounds easy enough. I can't wait for the 5th to get here, but at the same time I want it to stay where it is, just over the horizon, always waiting for me. It will eventually come though, and I will go with it beyond the Skyway. That will be in ten days - until then I have dreams. Ah, the good things in life: a roof over my head, barefeet, and something to look forward to. I can't complain.

Above: A random picture I found on the internet, but in ten days that will be me.

"Believe me, my young friend, there is NOTHING - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." ~The Water Rat - from Kenneth Grahame's, Wind in the Willows