What a great song by Jimmy Buffet. "Beautiful Swimmers". Every time I hear that song aboard Star of Orion, I reach a Zen-like state. My eyes open wide and become very observant of some beautiful things happening around me. Join me....
Walk down the dock with me at the Marina. Its early in the day. The sun is fresh and the air is thick with anticipation. Each boat you pass as you walk down the dock has a story. A job to do. A dream to fulfill. They sit patiently tethered to their slips awaiting their moment. The sound of the marina preparing for the day is in the background, but is filtered out by your expectations. As you look at the vessels, all awaiting their orders, its awe inspiring.
The marine birds are already there. Still scared of your intentions after all this time, they move out of your way. You walk a little farther, your attention drawn to a small barge being pushed along by the smallest of tug boats. You wonder what they are up to today and how cool it would be to be a part of it. A few more steps and you're there. Star of Orion sits quietly in her slip. You take a moment to stare at her lines. The anticipation builds.
Its your lucky day. A small dolphin greets you with a blast of air as it comes to the surface right at the edge of the dock. You step aboard Star with a smile ear to ear. "Thanks buddy" you say to yourself. In your mind, your putting the list together of things to do and checking off each as you prepare to pull Star away from the dock. You do your best to hold back the excitement, it can make you forget things.
Backing out of the slip, you think about your little dolphin buddy. You know he is a better seaman than you, but you still look out for him as you put the engine in reverse. All clear. As you turn out of the marina and into the channel, there is a feeling that overcomes you that cannot be clearly described. You feel like you just got a fresh start, your troubles back at the dock. That first gentle gust of sea air hits your face and fills your lungs. You're already formulating excuses why not to come back. You feel alive.
Once out in the Gulf of Mexico, you prepare to raise the sails. Some call it the "laundry". Not Star, she's a lady and "laundry" just doesn't fit. You turn into the wind and begin turning the winch. The main sail rises from its storage bag as you keep the lazy jack lines from fouling the battens. All clear. You watch for the black mark on the halyard to reach the point near the jam cleat to tell you "sails up". You turn the boat 30 degrees off the wind and watch the wind fill the main sail. Its beginning. You back off the throttle of the dependable little diesel engine and start to notice the boat healing. You're already sailing. Engine off, you roll out the jib all the way and winch her in tight. Star is now healing over more. Her speed is increasing. To quote Jimmy, she's "sliding across the water like a steel guitar". Destination? Doesn't even matter.
As you sit back, relaxing and taking in all you've accomplished, you start looking around. There are other boats out here. Your not alone. You notice alot of them aren't sailboats. They seem so different all of a sudden. As you glide along in beautiful silence, powered only by the winds, you feel like Poseidon himself has put you here. You feel like you've been given the knowledge that only a few have been given. You feel like you know something that the other mariners don't. You start to feel that sailboats are the guardians of the sea....like mermaids, beautiful and watchful of others. You're in heaven.
This is my job.
Fair Winds,
Captain Dan
