Below the Surface (Voyage from Houston to Pensacola, Florida)

Passage Revelation:  Always seek refuge from predators on land or sea.  Know your predator(s).


Lessons Learned:  Don't swim with the sharks or the Portuguese Man-of-War jelly fish.

The day is absolutely gorgeous with the crystal cobalt blue ocean.  Looking into the eyes of the sea, I thought I saw a message in a bottle.  It was a beautiful translucent crystal bottle  speckled with rose pink.  However, I realized it was not a bottle, but a "Portuguese Man-of-War".    They drift along the top of the ocean eating little tiny fish as they pass.   These jelly fish don't have any means of propulsion or known predators and drift wherever the ocean takes them.  We saw thousand of them.  I guess the real message is to stay away from the deadly poisonous jelly fish.

The ocean has a life just below the surface.  To the port side of the  boat I observed a feeding frenzy.  Was it a shark, porpoise or just a big fish?   Then I saw the angler shark fins rising and falling into the choppy confused sea in their area of feeding.  Apparently, these ominous predators were enjoying their meal.

Just like the ocean life which we cannot see below; on land their are predators and poisonous situations.  People hide their real feelings just below the surface.  These troublesome emotions are hidden, which may be as poisonous as the Man-of-War or the frenzy feeding of a shark. 

Out at Sea Reflections - The Louisiana Coast

Passage Revelation:  In life you sometimes have to adjust your sails for safety, whether at work or play to prevent danger. 

 Lessons Learned:   At night or day be aware that rigs are sometimes connected and avoid going between them.  If you accidentally hit a rig it can destroy your safe haven and home.

We have gone for days and still are along the Louisiana coastline.  You never think you will pass the Cajun country even though it is a small state, it has an enormous coastline. 

This morning I witnessed the most spectacular sunrise with brilliant orange, yellow and red colors reflecting on the water.  The sky illuminated the warmth of God of his creation; the sea.  This is when I feel closest to God.  There are no distractions taking me away from his love. 

In the distance a giant commercial shrimp boat spreads it's wings across the horizon searching for precious food.  I took a wide berth to miss the shrimp boat, since their direction is set.   At the end of the horizon another commercial shrimp boat came toward us.  I never understood why?  There are the only two boats at sea then inevitably they are always heading our way.  At sea the largest vessel wins, so it is best to adjust to safety.

Along the way we witnessed numerous rigs which were all unique.  Different shapes, sizes with their own purposes placed in a straight line.  While sailing you must look very carefully, since these rigs may be connected with pipes or electrical lines.  Sometimes the rigs do not have lights or whistles to tell you their locations.

On the port side a Taj Majah rig sits stately in the ocean.  It is majestic and I wonder who lives on this island of a house.  How many people could handle isolation in the middle of the ocean?  I believe it wouldn't  be so bad if you had a routine and felt valued.  Ironically some people feel isolated with millions of people surrounding them.  It is true happiness comes from within.

Serenity at Sea Crossing to Pensacola

Passage Revelation:  Reflect into yourself for answers that come within.  God will give you the answers.

Lessons Learned:  REEF EARLY AND REEF ALOT.  Always check weather sources before leaving port.

Now we were crossing the enormous Gulf of Mexico.  Respect for the sea is the utmost.  The sea gods can get mighty angry if you don't read the signs of danger.  You just never know what you are going to get in weather, but if you check all your resources you probably have a clue, at least for 4 days.

My husband Jon famous lines is, "Reef early and Reef alot."  This has proven the best advice I have ever heard about sailing and especially at night.  No one wants to go out on deck at night to reef sails.  It is dangerous.

I had the morning watch from 6 AM until 10 AM.  It was good to be alone with the sea, but this time I had an escort of 3 dolphins on the starboard side (right).  They playfully vanished under the ship and magically appeared on the other side.  I wanted to jump into the water and play with them.  I knew I couldn't, but one day maybe I would have an opportunity to swim with the dolphins. 

A seagull flew in front of the boat and I wondered if he was lost, as we were far away from shore.  Then I saw his partner.  Together they were making their own passage.  Where I did not know?

Being alone during your watch gives you time to reflect on your life.  What life is about and how you as a human fit into the universe.  What will you leave behind as a legacy?  Is your life meaningful, not only to you, but to the people that surround you day-to-day? 

My own life reminds me of the seas.  Sometimes it is glimmering from the sunshine, full of laughter and  carefree thoughts.  Unfortunately, it changes with a blink of the eye, huge waves, strong winds and stormy seas. especially the eye of the weather at sea.

It is wise to watch the weather, as you would watch your life and the people who surround you.  You have to adjust your sails to have smooth sailing as you have to adjust your friends when they no longer have your best interest at heart. 

Today the sun is high and the breezes are good.  Life feels wonderful at the wheel in solitude adjusting the sails as we cross the Gulf.  It is truly serenity at Sea.

Galveston or Bust

Passage Revelation:  God gives you long standing friendship and the United States Coast Guard to help you along your travels.


Lessons Learned:  If possible, call  to ensure you can get fuel or any supplies at your next destination.  ALWAYS PLAN AHEAD.  Food preparation prior to departure makes it a breeze to prepare meals on the open seas

Our first stop at the gateway to the Gulf of Mexico was the Galveston Yacht Basin fuel dock to fuel the boat.  Unfortunately, the fuel dock was closed early on Sunday.  I spotted a number to call if the fuel dock was closed, and someone would come.  The voice on the other end said:  this service had been discontinued, but we could find fuel at Pier 19.  The crew Kent Brownhill, myself, and Jon forged out for fuel at Pier 19.

As we motored by the Carnival Conquest (on our port (left) side), the excited and happy passengers waved  to our small sailing vessel.  In comparison, our 42 foot sailboat looked insignificant to the 952 foot luxury liner.  Ironically, we were on the same seas in our sailing vessel going across the Gulf of Mexico; also looking for adventure.

We could not locate Pier 19, so back to the Galveston Yacht Basin to dock for the night.  This was a great plan, since I was exhausted from the excitement of our departure.We had only gone 26 miles by boat, which took 5 hours at 5 knots.  By car it would only take 30 minutes at 60 miles at hour.  Our crew, Kent Brownhill, called his wife Diane, one of my close friend for over 20 years, to come join us  for dinner and stay the night.  It was great reminiscing with my girlfriend. about life, children, friends, and trying to solve all the family, and world problems

Before dinner, we toasted our safe arrival with Full Sail beer supplied by our good friends; Gerhard and Daisy Meinecke.  Jon then made a great dinner of fresh salmon, and all the fixings.  It was a gourmet delight.  We used the salmon since it had not been frozen. 

In advance, I had prepared 12 frozen meals (compliments of Nancy Triggs' and Jay Scott's freezer) that were now kept on dry ice in the ice chest.  All I had to do is heat the meal in the oven, and serve.   We had sandwiches for lunch, and my loving husband would prepare breakfast: since his eggs are a little bit better than mine according to my granddaughter Payton Williams.

The next morning Diane had already departed, when I awoke.  We fired up the engine, and off we went to replenish the fuel tanks.  Upon leaving the fuel dock, we had a grand escort from the Galveston Coast Guard.  Five boats of proud young eager men and women.  How proud it made me feel to see the dedication, and determination of these sailors, who are serving our country, and keeping us, the JonNe', safe at sea.

Ecstatically, we were now on our crossing to Pensacola, Florida with calm emerald green seas.  The movement of the wind blew gently in my curly white hair, and in the full sails of the JonNe'.

Still on the phone

Leaving Home (3-7-11)

Passage Revelation:  Don't be afraid to leave home, because friends stay in your heart forever. 


Lessons Learned:  Always check fluids before leaving whether on land or sea.  Make a checklist to ensure you don't miss anything in the hustle of departure. Ahh, yes!  If you are a boater, INVEST IN TOWBOATUS INSURANCE!

Leaving the place you call home is so hard to do.  Many people live and die in the same place they were born.  Not me, I left at 19 and returned only once for a brief period.  Baby birds find out they can never go home.  They are actually kicked out of the nest to seek their fortune or to survive life's experiences.

Some of our friends were on shore wishing us farewell.  We were leaving the loving arms of Kemah, Texas on a beautiful Sunday    Did I tell you that we left at low tide? Our 42 foot sailboat ran aground in the Portofino channel.  We had left many of times at low tide, but this time unfortunately, it was a very low tide.
 
The anticipation of twenty years of planning, spending enormous amount of money preparing to leave made us want to leave now.   Everything we did was all about cruising to distant shores. 

In looking to shore now my friends are happily drinking mimosas and laughing.  Soon they will forget me and the social circle will continue and grow.  As it should be, since life goes on, and the circle of our friends will grow along the way.

Behind the wheel, I heard the engine alarm go off.  Now we needed coolant for the engine.  I had told my husband to check to see if we needed additional fluids.  Thanks to our special friends, Dew and Gary Harvey, for the coolant and Tom Taylor for bringing it over to the boat in a dinghy.

We are still aground, so we put up the whomper (spinnaker) to pull us off.  It was working and moving a little, but after 2 hours we called "TowBoatUS".  We were finally free with their help.

As we were finally going through the Kemah Boardwalk, our good friends, Dino Miller and Pat Brill, waved us on.  It was great seeing their smiling faces just one more time.