First Anniversary

     Today marks our first anniversary as full time cruisers.  It has been a tremendous adventure, and it shows no signs of slowing down.  Just yesterday, after anchoring in a very small creek with swift currents, Sharon made the comment that last year we would not have attempted such a maneuver.  The experiences and knowledge we have gained over the last year have been invaluable.  This year as we travel south once again on the ICW, our confidence level soars.  We consider this to be our sophomore year, but we keep our enthusiasm in check knowing very well that we must maintain a vigil for it is too easy to have a mishap while on the water that could result in unwanted consequences.

    The greatest benefit of our cruising experiences is the people we meet.  Just the other day we made an acquaintance with a gentleman in Wrightsville Beach.  We swapped stories with him at the dock and as we parted company he extended not only his hand in friendship, he also volunteered his time if we needed assistance getting around the area.  This does not happen in every port we stop at, but we do frequently meet people that are genuine and sincere.  Not wanting to forget some of the special ones are the people we meet on the water, our fellow boaters.  In particular, our mentors in the Bahamas, Rick & Deb on M/V Broulee. Rick and Deb (& Izzy the dog) made for some memorable moments that shall never be forgotten.  Then there is another couple that was a chance encounter, all because of our boat names, Big Run and Short Walk.  Ann and Joe on S/V Short walk are another stand out couple we met in Florida and saw again in the Bahamas and Portsmith, VA.  The list goes on and on.  Take for example Ken and Cindy on S/V Meant To Be who invited us, two strangers, for Sundowners at our favorite beach in the Bahamas, Little Bay.  And who can forget our friends from Long Cove Marina, Rebecca and Trina on M/V Kismet.  The list goes on and on.  I hope no one feels left out, I was trying to show the broad diversity of the people we meet on the water and land.   

      If the past is an indication of what the future holds, I would say that Sharon and I are in for the ride of a lifetime.  We hope that in another year or two we still hold the enthusiasm we have today on our first anniversary.