You better stop, look around

Yesterday we had our breakdown. We both cried at this miserable turn of events and about how we seemed to be thwarted at every step of the way in the twenty years it took to realize our dream. We cried because we worked so hard to get to this point only to be turned back at the most exciting moment. We cried because we had poured so much love into Escape Velocity and she was in such fine condition. We cried because we don’t know if we have the fortitude to go on.

And then we got a text message from our friends on Macushla who’ve been researching boatyard options for us. They had some suggestions and their usual words of support and we burst into tears again, tears of gratitude that we have such caring friends and family. We have a keychain that Mark and Sue brought us from England with the classic British admonition to “keep calm and carry on.”

And that’s what we will do.

As the day wore on and we read and napped in the cockpit we started entertaining possibilities. We know that the repairs will take a long time and that we’ll be parked probably in Panama for the duration. Perhaps we could visit Machu Pichu, something we couldn’t work into our cruising schedule this year. We could learn to scuba dive, which we meant to do way back in Pittsburgh and never got around to. If the repairs are done in time we could cruise up to Mexico and depart for the South Pacific from there at the start of next season. If we did that we could stop in Costa Rica and meet another branch of my family who migrated there from St. Thomas. We could make a trip back to the states and apply for a long-stay visa for French Polynesia and not be limited to the 90 days we Americans are granted on entry.

We will make lemonade. And we will drink a full glass.

17 Comments

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17 Responses to You better stop, look around

  1. Of course you will! Love to you both.

  2. debbieschmebbie

    That’s the spirit!

  3. And remember how earlier you lamented your lack of Spanish language skills? Well, there you go…. šŸ™‚

  4. Lynn Evans

    Great attitude adjustment. Good therapy writing out feelings. We want to encourage you to keep hanging on. We will continue to follow you.
    Email us for some additional repair info. We loved Macchu Pichu and Argentina.
    From Lynn and Chuck returned to USA from circumnavigation 2013

  5. Ed Kelly

    WISH YOU WOULD KEEP YOUR SPOT UPDATED, We Could follow you more easily. Our hearts and best wishes go out to you. If someone is in contact I hope they convince you to hit the SPOT button a little more often so your well wishers could follow you.
    See the track of Escape Velocity by going to
    http://tinyurl.com/evposition

  6. You have been an inspiration to us since the days at sunset bay. Your dream seemed huge to us back then. Our plan was simpler and yet, the thought of making it around the world was planted in our heads. Then our lengthy stay in lake Sylvia allowed us to know each other better. It was so sad for us when you set off one way and we another. Why didn’t you just come with us? What’s the rush? But I get it, got it months ago when mart began reading your blogs aloud to me. You faced the challenges, and there did seem to be more than your fair share…but there was always a smile coming through the words. We were proud of you and lord know we still are, more than ever. So the dream continues, just a different time frame. and who knows? Couldn’t two mantas make the trip just as well as one? We send lots of love and all the good karma we can muster. Besides, nothing is so cathartic as a good cry! Xo

  7. TomG

    I’ve known you’re amazing people from the first blog, and am so glad your thoughts are turning to making lemonade. You’re an inspiration!

  8. Dave Kent

    Much love to you and Jack! From now on I’ll always think of you when I’m having lemonade.

  9. karen sherer

    i haven’t stopped thinking about you(or worrying about you) this past week I’m so happy & relieved that you are safe…just add it to your adventure…it certainly didn’t seem to snuff out your spirit.. you guys are amazing….keep drinking that lemonade! love ya

  10. Jan

    “And the journey itself is home.” We’ll join many others in hoisting a glass of lemonade with you!
    S/V Hanna

  11. Carole L Esley

    A few of Robert Fulghum’s wise suggestions came to mind as I thought about today’s report:

    “Take a nap every day” (after cookies and milk)

    “When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.”

    ” Live a balanced life – learn some and drink some and draw some and paint some and sing and dance and play and work everyday some.”

    That you go from crying and doubting your fortitude to coming up with splendid options in an afternoon is truly amazing. I raise my glass to you and picture you holding hands as you raise yours!!

    More love from Maine……

  12. Glad to see you you two have come through the full catastrophe and are able to look at the other side, now, without fighting to keep the dream tacked in place like a butterfly. The wings may be gone for now, but you are motoring on. Good on you, as they say down here in Aussie land.

  13. Martin

    One door (temporarily) closed, numerous others open wide. So many wonderful options, and we hope you get to enjoy as many as possible. All our very best!

  14. Karen sherer

    You two are AMAZING!!

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