At noon about a mile off San Diego’s South Mission Beach I dispersed the remnants of my friend Louise Bleakly into the ocean as she wished. I made a video that I will send to John, Louise’s Executor, to share with other of her friends. I may upload it myself, but that will not be until I have a good Internet connection, possibly not until I return to Evanston three weeks today.
On my return to Mission Bay I have anchored in what is called Mariner’s Cove a half mile west of GANNET’s usual dock. A slight change of scene.
There was little wind and a leftover swell collapsing the sails or I might have stayed out and sailed.
This might be the first time I have anchored since waiting out a hurricane in the Chesapeake a year and a half ago. I did not anchor at all last year. Hilton Head to Panama direct. Panama to San Diego direct. It is pleasing to be completely surrounded by water. I will stay overnight.
As noted here before Google notifies me when I am mentioned online. The service is free and not completely comprehensive.
A few days ago I was told that I had been quoted on something called Ricochet.
Here is the link:
https://ricochet.com/726835/quote-of-the-day-01-march-nerve-and-risk/
The quote isn’t exact, but close enough. Read the comments.
I found particularly interesting:
I can comprehend one solo circumnavigation of the world, but 6? What did he do wrong on the previous 5? Did he “cheat” and go through the Panama and/or Suez Canals? Did he miss travelling in the Arctic or Antarctic oceans?
And:
Here is the link:
https://ricochet.com/726835/quote-of-the-day-01-march-nerve-and-risk/
The quote isn’t exact, but close enough. Read the comments.
I found particularly interesting:
I can comprehend one solo circumnavigation of the world, but 6? What did he do wrong on the previous 5? Did he “cheat” and go through the Panama and/or Suez Canals? Did he miss travelling in the Arctic or Antarctic oceans?
And:
Bravery is not calculated. Bravery is an act of courage and has a purpose higher than self; it requires action in the face of danger. The risks always favor inaction. Bravery might even require self-sacrifice.
Is facing the risks associated with circumnavigating the earth in a sailboat an act of bravery? No. It is thrill seeking and lacks a higher purpose. Nerve and arrogance are related qualities; in this case the arrogance consists of assuming preparedness; nerve is the assumption that if perparedness fails, nerve will pull you through.
And:
I think the second quote somewhat misses the point. He’s doing something that he’s not being paid for, that is not necessary, that will not advance knowledge. I believe he is doing it for the challenge of doing it, which most people would call adventure.
Obviously I have not lived a life worth living. You cannot say that you have not been warned that you are wasting your time here.
On a different note, my friend Michael uses quotes on the left side of his Key West Diary. He changes these frequently. At the moment he is using one from me:
“The truths of the sea, like the truths of the soul, cannot be reduced to numbers.”
― The Ocean Waits
― The Ocean Waits
Not bad. I had forgotten those words. But that will happen when you have been writing for all of a long misspent life. With my usual arrogance I will include them on the deluded wit/wisdom page of my main site so they can in time be quoted and discussed in social media, which has of course always been my greatest aspiration.