journey or destination?
Soon after we cast off our lines and left the dock, it became apparent that Dudley and I needed to reassess our individual and team goals for this summer’s sailing adventure. Both captains are driven individuals, very organized, and planners. Most of the time, these characteristics work in harmony. But occasionally, especially when sailing, we find ourselves seeking different outcomes and destinations. Sailors often abide by the adage “Don’t sail to a schedule” because doing so will certainly bring trouble, usually bad weather that should have been avoided altogether. Thus, agreeing on destination goals and timing is especially important for sailors to avoid unfavorable sea conditions.
Belle Bateau sailing north through Canadian wildfire haze. Photo courtesy of Nolan North.
At the beginning of Day 2, when we found ourselves already disagreeing about our next destination, we had a heart-to-heart conversation about our summertime goals. Yes, we have told everyone that we are heading to Maine. But don’t we want to enjoy the journey too? One captain wanted to take a detour to Baltimore to visit with friends, and one captain was more inclined to take advantage of a weather window that forecasted favorable winds to get to Long Island Sound more quickly. After all, to get to Maine and back by mid-September meant that we’d have to be southbound by mid-August, requiring us to be in Maine by mid-July to explore it. Okay, time to reassess our individual and team goals.
Star Spangled Buoy on approach to Baltimore, placed where Francis Scott Key wrote our national anthem.
For Captain C, it’s usually about the journey. She likes to sail rather than motor, visit friends, explore small towns, hang out in coffee shops, write postcards, and document our journey with words and images. Captain D, likes to do some of those things too, but his astute planning skills kick into overdrive as he runs multiple weather models and plots various sailing routes. Did we mention he’s a certified planner--- he is! He is AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners).
A relaxed Captain D
So on Day 2, a multi-day detour to Baltimore seemed unwise to Captain D with the goal of Maine by mid-July. Captain C considers Maine to be more of a guideline rather than an absolute. That required more discussion and a revision of the penciled destination schedules that both captains had independently created, assuming a few delays along the way due to weather.
Captain C loved being docked in view of Domino Sugars
Soon, we were on our way to Baltimore, communicating enroute for a slip and to alert a few friends that we’d be in port for an impromptu brief stay. Little did we know then that the Canadian wildfires would be affecting our visibility and breathability. Some things you just can’t plan. And yet, we had a nice short stay in a town that Captain C loves. We got to visit with friends, buy some postcards, purchase two more guidebooks, provision a few things we forgot, and just breathe (well, sort of).
Captain C reunited with a few former coworkers from Gensler
Downtown Sailing Center friends: Bill, Kit, and Nolan
And Kathy too!
We are still aiming to get to Maine, but we want to enjoy the journey. If we get that far, awesome! But if not, that’s okay too. There are people to see, sites to behold, weather to avoid, sails to fly, and numerous sunsets to enjoy.