Escape Velocity is anchored safely in Puerto Villamil, Isla Isabela, Galapagos, with a few gallons of diesel to spare. We were greeted by dancing rays, frigate birds, penguins, a shark and the local agent who requests our presence ashore for the formalities. We’re making him wait, though, as Jack de-squids the decks and scrubs the nasty sea residue off the back steps and while I read the hundreds of blog and Facebook comments and emails we’ve received.
The other day, feeling the lowest of the low, out of nowhere Jack said, “I’m not ready to give up.”
“Me neither,” I said. “I love sailors. I love the cruising community.”
This is our place. This is our life. Maybe someday that will change, but for now we’re sticking with it. We know it’ll be a long and frustrating part of our journey to get back to sea again but we’ll do it. And the outpouring of love, support, ideas on where to go and how to get there, the offers of help, the stories you share of your own mishaps and misfortunes and challenges — all of it reminds us that we’re where we should be and that we are not alone. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you sailors and nonsailors and wannabes and don’t-wannabes, thank you to people we know and people we haven’t met yet, and people we may never meet. Your messages touch us to the very core and give us so much strength to keep calm and carry on.
This morning as we approached the harbor we crossed paths with two boats starting the journey we began one week ago. Both boats sailed over to us, hailed us on the radio and offered their condolences and good luck in the repairs. We wished them a safe passage and we waved energetically until they were out of sight. Later we heard them talking to each other about seeing us. “They seem in good spirits,” said one. And so we are. But we also know the chilling effect this kind of experience has on all the other boats. What we do is not for the faint of heart.
We are touched that so many of our readers appreciate the poem that guides us, in particular the line on our blog header: Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.
Our journey continues.
So very glad you made this leg safely!! We know you will come through shining! S/V Hanna
PS There is a Facebook group called Women Who Sail. You have a lot of support there and you are more than welcome to join us 🙂 jan
Hooray! Step one done. (I must admit I love the image of Jack de-squiding the deck.) Keep on, me hearties! XO
Bravo!! Well done!! That you arrived with a mere 2 gallons of fuel left in the tank made me shudder and then laugh. A signal from Neptune, I’d say. xoxo
Yea!!! Been following your journey, good job managing all your mishaps. Impressive. Hope to see and meet you if you make it to the Sea of Cortez, we should be there the end of this year. Good luck with your upcoming repairs and replanning. s/v Let It Be, Ensenada Mexico.
Jack and Marce,
We’ve been following your posts via email while in the Bahamas, but we’re only today able to get access to internet to send you a note of encouragement. Things break on boats and the true test of a world cruiser is how they react to the challenges they are faced with.
We’re glad to hear that you’re starting to develop a plan of recovery, because you need to continue your voyage. The path will be different than you planned, but it wouldn’t be worthy of a ‘sea tale’ otherwise!
If you need help with any logistics, just say the word!
All the best from your Manta friends,
Clark & Michelle aboard Double Wide
Marce and Jack, we are so happy you are safe and planning your next move. excellent job staying cool and facing one of the most challenging situations I have seen in my life time. We are indeed very proud of you. Best wishes George and Demi from Old Tappan.
Glad you are safe back in port.
The last we saw you was in Tyrrel Bay. I am on Beach House and
recognised you from EVs previous incarnation.
Sorry to hear about your situation but you are safe and that’s all thta really matters. Good luck with the repairs and with your next attempt.
Geoff & Pat
I still can’t believe it, and go back and re-read your post covering the events, and thinking what would I have done – you probably do the same thing. Wow. You did well, reacting to the emergency, and preventing damage to the hull – good job.
I suggest you fortify that lemonade everyone wants you to drink – we put Gosling’s Rum in our lemonade – we invented it out of necessity when we ran out of ginger beer, and call it Anchor-Ade. It’s actually very good!
You must invent a boat drink to commemorate your success in dealing with such an emergency and getting safely back to port. Good luck on plans to recover and continue.
Cheers, Jim
Please keep all Informed. Wess and I only wish of the best of voyage. Please be careful and we are listening to you and are with you and for you.
So glad that you’re safe.
Janice