Rendezvous 2, Crew 3

“Familiar faces in new places.”  There is a thrill to seeing someone you know in a new place.  Metaphorically, it can carry over to seeing them in a new context or new “light.”  A bond takes shape instantly, tied to (of all things) a place.  That thrill is amplified many fold when that person you see, walking down the dock, is someone you love.  I felt something in me relax into Tyler’s arms as we hugged each other on the dock.  I was in the arms of someone who knows me likely more than anyone else.  I was in the arms of someone to whom and with whom my instincts tell me with an incredible certainty that i belong.  Not in a sense of ownership.  A living thing can't be owned, it is its own.  But this belonging is in a sense of presence and relief.  And belonging?  IS a big deal.  I so look forward to living closer to my son.  To being able to meet him for lunch.  What profound luck that i get to make that my priority.  And i apologize to my parents for having moved so far away from them for most of my life.  I could not have known this…until now. 

Ty arrives very fresh from finals in micro-biology and physics.  Whew!  Kristin arrived with him.  No, they aren’t a “couple.”  In fact, this crew is mostly new to each other and they're the youngest crew combo this trip will see.  She is already a sailor.  She just took her captain’s test and hopes to return home to her license and teaching sailing.  I like being able to assume that she knows how to tie a bowline, and what needs to happen to tack, and how to trim.  And i like how taking the helm (tho she’s only a head taller than it) is easy for her.  She’s “got game,” so to speak.  She came to play and doesn’t hesitate.  Meanwhile, Reed has proven to be a quick study, picking up the language and trim and life aboard handily.  So i’ve got good crew for a challenging 740nm leg, with careful navigational in the Bahamas, and a 3 to 400 mile jump to Puerto Rico.   Stowing some $300 in groceries, we're as ready as we're gonna be.