I have developed an effective strategy for dealing with Anchor Anxiety. Don’t look down into the water! Problem solved.
The last two nights we anchored out in Lake Charlevoix. The first night in East Jordan, close to the RV park off the beach, next to the road – but free WiFi. Then we sailed up the arm to Oyster Bay where we spent a lovely afternoon and evening in a quiet bay with a few other sailboats. It was peaceful, calm, and delightful, until the thunder started around 4:30 and wok me out of a deep sleep and an interesting dream.
It was the day before I start my around the world solo sailing adventure. Clearly, I had reservations. I had deep reservations, but everyone assume I knew what I was was doing. I was woefully unprepared to sail solo around the world.
- I have next to zero experience diagnosing and repairing – let along McGivering anything when it goes south.
- I still haven’t developed a working knowledge of the chart plotter. I know the basics but am not confident.
- How in the world does one prepare for a solo non-stop circumnavigation, crossing oceans etc with no stops. No clue.
- I simply do not desire to suffer from seasickness, lack of sleep, and the discomforts of Ocean sailing 24/7 for heaven only knows how long.
So to be suddenly awakened from this particular dream by a loud thunder clap, was actually a relief. I jumped up and started closing ports and hatches just as it started to rain. There were no more thunder bolts and the wind was not bad. The morning light brought beautiful clouds and mile temps, bird song, gentle breeze, and the promise of a new day.
We left Oyster Bay in time to make the 11am bridge lift. We were able to get the sails up right away, sailing along nicely in the direction we needed to go. It was a nice day on the water. We are now tucked into a slip (our first in over 2 weeks) in Petoskey. Laundry, showers, grocery shopping, a good defrost and cleaning of the fridge and freezer, a nice walk or two and welcoming Mary aboard tomorrow await.