1st Mate Forum | Sailing For The Son

Back to the Bahamas!

The 2022-2023 cruising season has begun. Bill and I are currently on S/V Liberty in Lake Worth (West Palm Beach, Florida) awaiting a good weather window to cross the Gulf Stream. We are buddy boating with our new friends John and Michelle Schultz on S/V Yes My Dear.

This summer was particularly eventful starting with the high school graduation of our first grandchild! We’re so proud of you, Ella!

My mom, Mary, turned 80 this year. She is so beautiful. The party we hosted included several of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, lots of nieces and nephews, and even 3 of her high school classmates! At her request, we held the party in my cousin’s barn. My mom is a farm girl at heart.

My mom, daughters, granddaughters and me

A surprise event this year was the engagement and covenant marriage of our daughter, Becky, to Wyatt Kipp! There is no doubt that God had a hand in bringing these two believers together, and we’re excited to see what He has planned for them.

Bill and I are proud of our son, Kristian, who is serving in the United States Army. He spent just over a year on an unaccompanied overseas tour, and has now returned safely (and joyously!) to his wife, Alejandra. They will be relocating to Texas this month for Kristian’s next assignment.

This cruising season we are returning to the Bahamas! We spent the last two seasons enjoying the Florida Keys, but with the Covid pandemic, together with it’s travel hassles and restrictions, waning we’re ready to head to the “Bahamian Blue” waters again. Bahamian Blue is the color my friend Kelly and I dubbed the unique beautiful blue found only in the waters of the Bahamas.

In the next few days we will cross the Gulf Stream (my first time!) and head toward West End, Grand Bahama. We will check in with Bahamian customs and immigration authorities to obtain our cruising permit, then head to Ocean Reef Resort and Marina oceanreefresortmarina.com . We heard great things about this marina from our friends Dave and Linda Olson on M/V Entrusted.

Our trusty travel buddies, Steve and Susan Holdaway, and Tim and Kelly Will, will be flying in to join us for some exciting adventures this season. New this year, Bill’s sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Gary Slifka, will be joining us for a bit. Be sure to check back for stories and pictures! I’m practically giddy just anticipating watching Susan pet the stingrays at Sandy Cay. According to her husband, Susan loves to be stretched out of her comfort zone, and I’m pretty sure this will be a bit outside her typical routine!

It’s Not a Choice

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you”. Exodus 20:12

Hmmm…truly one of God’s Top Ten. Top five , even. I love lists-I’m convinced that I’d never get anything done if it wasn’t on a list.

What does it even mean to honor someone? Honoring someone means something like holding that person in high regard; to cherish. Sadly, ‘honor’, ‘high regard’, and ‘cherish’ aren’t words Americans tend to use in our everyday speech. I wonder why.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds me that all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for training in righteousness. Ouch! ‘training in righteousness’-there’s a figure of speech I almost never think about! So, I guess Timothy is telling me that I can’t simply disregard Exodus because it seems physically or emotionally difficult.

It’s no wonder we find it so hard to honor our parents (and all people in positions of authority, by the way). But that’s the thing about Scripture, God doesn’t ask us to like it, or even to actually understand every word of it. However, as Christians, we are expected to submit to God’s authority in our lives, and to lean on the power of the Holy Spirit to give us strength when we don’t have the will.

Busyness with my career, my family, my friends, my pets, my vacations, my tv shows, my volunteer activities, my need to rest and relax. These are all great reasons not to hold placing my mother’s needs into a place of high importance. Or at least they sound like it. To me. To my selfish, deaf, human ears. But when I hold them up against God’s Word, they all fade pretty quickly. And sink in the quicksand I so often find myself stuck in.

So today, I choose to cherish my mother. I’m going to brush her hair because I know she loves it. I’m going to paint her fingernails because she has beautiful hands. I’m going to place her in a wheelchair and take her outside to see the birds, and hopefully a bunny. I’m going to sing old hymns and patriotic songs out loud with her because she loves the old songs and she remembers the words. I’m going to ask her to tell me about her parents and what it was like growing up on a farm. And I’m going to bring her ice cream because we all need ice cream.

What am I going to chose tomorrow? Well, tomorrow is not here yet, and there is that whole thing about tomorrow having troubles of it’s own…so today I will follow Jesus with a grateful heart, and I’ll leave tomorrow to itself until then.

Who are you cherishing today?

Fun at Summer Sailing Camp 2022

Our oldest grandson, Harry, joined us in Jacksonville, Florida, for a week of Summer Sailing camp in June 2022. A full week jam packed full of fun!

My husband and I love each other much, and we have loads of fun-filled adventures together, but I’m telling you, our boat is filled to the top with laughter when Harry is here.

Harry often asks me about my volunteer activities, and because he needs to complete three significant service projects this summer for Cub Scouts, we started our week at The Nest, A Women’s Center. It happened to be National Donut Day, so Harry and I showed up with donuts. When seeing the donuts, Megan said that Harry is welcome at The Nest any day! Lisa and Megan answered Harry’s many questions about The Nest. Then Harry and I then spent two hours cleaning the sign by the road and sweeping, mopping and arranging the classroom. The Nest was very appreciative of Harry’s service and even featured him on their Facebook page.

We bought a dinghy and outboard a few months ago (which is no easy feat during Covid) and Harry was very much looking forward to learning how to drive it. Harry is tall for seven, even so, starting and steering the nine foot inflatable dinghy was a stretch for him, but he did it! And he loved it!

On the second day of dinghy lessons, Harry picked me up and drove us to the park! The combined look of seriousness, accomplishment, and fun really looks handsome on my grandson.

Harry has been studying sailing with Grandpa Bill for several years now, but this summer he chose to learn and practice how to use the radio (and call the bridge tender to open the bridge), anchoring, weighing anchor (after lunch onboard) and continuing to perfect his driving skills.

We all love the beach, so we spent one day at Huguenot Beach. Harry loves to use the stand up paddleboard to surf on the waves with grandpa, and I love to watch and listen to them laughing. Harry said this was the most fun activity of the week. Watching him concentrate on surfing, hearing him laugh whether he stands or falls, and then seeing him going back for more, was my most fun!

Harry also spent time playing chess, playing cards, learning to cook on the propane stove (“best rice ever”), practicing snorkeling in the pool (and learning to dive down with the snorkel), learning to raise a flag on the boat, and walking the docks every morning with grandpa greeting the neighbors and talking about boats.

To wrap up the week, we met up with the rest of the family at Great Wolf Lodge near Atlanta, Georgia. We all had a very wet, wild, and exhausting time!

Harry earned a Certificate of Completion with Exemplary Performance!

We are so looking forward to the next sailing camp, which will include sailing a Hobie Wave and more math problems (because Harry requested them both)!

All Things are Possible

In April 2017, our friends, Steve and Susan, joined us on a sailing adventure in the British Virgin Islands. Susan had never been on a sailing trip, but as her husband is fond of saying, “Susan likes to be pushed out of her comfort zone.”
As I recall, on our first night Susan said, “I can’t believe we signed up for 8 days of this.” Even on calm water I couldn’t get Susan out of the safety of the cockpit.

Before the end of that trip; however, Susan was lamenting, “I can’t believe we only signed up for 8 days of this.” We had so much fun kayaking together looking for sea turtles (and ice cream). Susan whimpered just a bit when we kayaked into a sea cave, but I could barely hear her, what with all the waves crashing into the rocks and everything.

March 2019 found us sailing together again, this time in the Bahamas. Steve and Susan are so much fun to travel with-they are pretty much game for anything, and this time Susan was loving, loving, loving sitting on the bow of the boat with me. I can’t post a picture of that because we stayed up there so long that we burnt to a crisp (and, you know, I really only want to post flattering pictures of us ladies).

Steve and Susan joined us at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in January 2021. The Covid 19 overseas travel restrictions simply made another Bahamas trip too much to think about. As it turns out, we enjoy Florida every bit as much and actually see more sea life here. (Just don’t ask Susan how close she likes to get to giant lizards and manatee.) By the way, Susan and I are rule followers, but our husbands maybe not so much…

We even had Steve and Susan out on the Atlantic Ocean!

Still on Covid 19 travel restrictions, we opted to sail to Key West in 2022. Susan, I’m so impressed with you-look at you totally comfortable on the boat, in the dinghy, and even shopping! Ok, so you’ve always been comfortable shopping, but we do it so well together that I had to mention it (and don’t we look fabulous in those hats?).

Susan and I have been friends for nearly 25 years. Our first trips together were women’s conferences with our church and Girl Scout trips with our youngest daughters. From crafts and smores to sailing and kayaking, we have grown a lot together. I love to tease Susan, but truth be told, I love her dearly and count her as a gift from God. I often like to say that it’s me stretching Susan, and as far as nautical adventures go that might be true. But, spiritually (you know-the things of first importance), Susan is the guide and I have always been the student. Thank you, Susan, and I can’t wait to see what’s next! Just remember, “All things are possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23.

Who is your Jan?

Jan and I have been friends for going on 25 years now-which is shocking because we barely act like we’re out of our teens! Jan makes me laugh, and I generously return the favor as often as I can. My husband, Bill, and I are blessed to be able to travel a lot, as we are retired. However, for most of our friends and family, we know their vacation time is limited and we are so, so excited when they choose to spend their free time with us!

Jan and her husband, Frank, joined us in Key West, Florida, in January 2022. it was a quick trip for them, but so much fun.

During an afternoon sail, we even had Frank at the helm. I don’t think his prior military experience included any time in the Navy, and I had to take several pictures before I caught him smiling, but he did great! Jan? She chickened out, but she chickened out in the classic, beautiful Key West chicken way!

I’d go just about anywhere with Jan. We’d be laughing, and I’d be scared, but I’d be going. (Ask me sometime about our terrifying whitewater rafting trip!) Everyone needs a Jan in their lives, who is yours?

The Wave

In Key West, my husband bought me this beautiful ring in celebration of our 11th wedding anniversary. I love it. The wave ring symbolizes acknowledging and navigating the ups and downs of life.

I’ve been through a tornado, as well as the ups and downs of ocean waves bigger than I like. A wave is usually caused by wind moving across the surface of the water. These waves can be gentle rolling waves. Waves can also be caused by storms. The barometric pressure changes of storms can cause large waves-think hurricanes. Underwater shifts like earthquakes or volcanic eruptions can cause massive waves-think tsunamis. And, obviously, the gravitational pull of the sun and moon causes waves associated with the normal tides.

The serenity of Treasure Cay, Abaco, Bahamas

I know that I can’t control the wind and the waves, but I can say that I know the One who does. Years ago I gave my life to Jesus Christ, the one and only Son of God. The Book of Genesis records that God Himself created heaven and earth and everything and everyone in it. In fact, He formed man and woman in His own image. How do you like that? We are literally image bearers of the God of the Universe, created to have a relationship with Him! Walking alone, we have no hope of navigating the highs and lows of this world, but walking with the Savior of the world all things are possible (Mark 9:23).

Matthew 8:27 records Jesus in a boat with his disciples in the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was asleep when a storm arose. Afraid, the disciples woke Jesus, who calmed the storm with his spoken word. The men responded: “Who is this man, that even the wind and the waves obey him?”

Psalm 89:9 reads, “You rule over the surging sea. When the waves mount up, You still them.”

In John 8:12 Jesus tells us that He is the light of the world. In John 16:23 He records, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I’m not here to tell you that my life as a Christian is all calm seas and smooth sailing. But I am saying that my life as a believer has been a great adventure of highs and lows as I seek to follow my Savior. He has promised that He has great plans for me, plans to prosper me, not to harm me; plans for a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).” And that’s good enough for me. So, I’ll happily wear my pretty wave ring, sleep well tonight, and get up tomorrow ready for another adventure.

If you don’t yet know Jesus Christ, I’d love to talk with you about Him. He has a joyful adventure planned for your life, too! Please, contact me at [email protected]

Who’s chicken?

In Key West for our anniversary week, my husband, Bill, and I stopped at Wahlburgers for lunch overlooking the Historic Seaport. The day was warm and sunny, and after a few hours strolling the Harborwalk, we needed a relaxing lunch stop with good food and cold drinks. Shady patio seating next to a fan at Wahlburgers fit the bill.

Key West chickens are protected by law in the city limits and love to hangout at Wahlburgers’ patio, as well as everywhere else in Key West. I’m actually fond of chickens. My mom grew up on a farm in Iowa and as a child I spent lots of time there with my grandparents. I have sweet memories of gathering eggs in the chicken coop with my grandma. Bill and I were entertained by the rooster and chickens milling around while we enjoyed a delicious lunch. I highly recommend the thin crispy onion rings. Bill recommends the Blackened Grouper BLT.

Evidently, this rebellious rooster likes the Blackened Grouper BLT as much or more than my husband does. I know this because…right in the middle of dinner he flew over Bill’s head (scratching the bald part just a bit), landed on our table, grabbed Bill’s sandwich and then continued on his merry way! All the while we just sat there staring at each other wondering what just happened! Well, I might have screamed a little, but really, you would have screamed too if a rooster was flying through the air within a foot of your face, carrying a sandwich! That’s just not something a person sees on a regular basis. Or is it? I guess I don’t really know. Hmm…sounds like I need to spend more time in Key West, doesn’t it? I like thin crispy onion rings, but I LOVE sleuthing out a good mystery…

Treasuring Guidance from God

The beach at Treasure Cay, Abaco, Bahamas, is the most beautiful beach in the world. Or the most beautiful beach in the Caribbean. Anyway, it’s the most beautiful beach to my husband, Bill, and I, even though it’s not on those “official” lists. Wait a minute, this is my story, so I get to tell it the way I see it. Starting over: The beach at Treasure Cay is the most beautiful beach in the world. My husband and I have enjoyed a lot of good times there. The water is simply an unbelievable color I call “Bahamian Blue”. My friend, Kelly, and I made that up because there are no other words for it. Bill and I love walking the beach, cooling off in the water, resting under the palm trees, watching the dolphins play, as well as enjoying dinner and umbrella drinks at the beach bar.

Unfortunately, Hurricane Dorian devastated Abaco in September 2019. The extensive damage precluded travel to the islands for the winter sailing season in 2019. The Covid 19 pandemic stole our plans to sail to Abaco in November 2020. So, when a neighbor asked Bill to help him move his boat to Abaco in May 2021, and invited me to join in, we were excited!

The sail to Abaco was estimated to take 3 1/2 days straight through. I’m not a big fan of long voyages, I much prefer sailing few hours, then stopping to enjoy the day on a sandy beach somewhere. But that wasn’t the plan for this passage, it actually wasn’t even possible, but that doesn’t keep it from being my preference! I did a fair amount of praying for God’s guidance on whether or not I was meant to accompany the guys on this trip. My presence wasn’t required, as two captains were going, and I don’t even know how to drive a catamaran. But my husband wanted me to join them, and, of course, I was daydreaming about that Bahamian Blue water!

The morning of Thursday, May 27, 2021, the three of us departed Jacksonville, Florida, planning to arrive in Abaco the morning of Monday, May 31st. Two dolphins met us at the mouth of the St. Johns River-I’m sure they were there to bid us bon voyage!

Feeling confident in the “faith over fear” t-shirt that my daughter, Becky, made for me!

We had nice weather for the entire first day and the sunset was spectacular!

Sometime during the night, while Bill and I were sleeping in the cockpit, I began to smell burning rubber. The next thing I knew Bill shot up like a rocket and yelled “shut the engine down”! Although while we were in forward motion I was feeling fine, as soon as we stopped, the waves really started to make me sea sick. We backtracked 20 miles and required the assistance of a tow boat to safely dock in St. Augustine. My anxiety was rising. My confidence in being able to continue on this voyage was falling fast. I stepped off the boat to ease my tummy and pray for God’s guidance.

The Bible is full of God’s guidance for us, and, although I don’t do it perfectly, I do seek God’s will on a daily basis.

Obedience to God’s Word is an important tenet in my life, as I hope it is in yours, as well. But just how does God speak to us today? I believe God reveals His Word to us through the Bible, through the church, through fellow Christians, and through our conscience thoughts.

So, I found a shady spot on the dock, sat down, sent off a couple texts summarizing my situation and asking for prayer. Then, I closed my eyes and asked Jesus to show me whether He wanted me to continue on this sailing trip, or return to Jacksonville on that Friday morning. Just as my tummy calmed down, and my anxiety began to retreat, I started getting texts from my Bible study girlfriends. My husband and I attend an online Bible Study based in Nebraska and we lead a small in-person Bible Study in Jacksonville. Cheryl and Tatiana, the only ladies from our tiny Bible Study, each provided a way back to Jacksonville for me that day. Unbelievable, huh? Coincidence that both families had already planned to be in St. Augustine that day anyway? I don’t think so!

I spoke with Bill about it and we decided together that God was providing a way for me to graciously de-board before I threw up or started crying! Moments before I stepped off the boat, two more dolphins showed up-I took that as another vote of confidence.

The boat was repaired and headed South, while I headed North with Cheryl. However, although safe, my husband later told me that the weather was rough the second night, which he knows would have made me sick, and that the boat continued to have engine troubles off and on for the next few days. Bill enjoyed the passage, and learned a lot along the way, but I’m sure thankful that I listened to God pointing me back to Jacksonville.

Do you believe that God still speaks to His people today? Are you listening for Him?

By the way, Becky balked when I indicated that she gave me a broken t-shirt!

Beauty Inside and Out

As my husband, Bill, and I walked through a quiet neighborhood in Key West, I was struck by the care taken in the landscaping of these tiny front lawns. And I really do mean tiny front lawns! The yards were maybe five feet deep and barely wider than the small homes themselves. But they are eye catching for their beauty-the kind of beauty that makes a person stop and ponder.

We paused in front of one house so I could look closer at an orchid. While I was commenting on it, the homeowner came out into her yard and engaged me in conversation. I told her that her orchids were beautiful and she jumped at the opportunity to tell me all about each of her individual orchids. She knew them all by name and and knew what environment each one needs to thrive.

Interestingly, she also told me that there is a little bit of a competition in her neighborhood regarding beautiful orchids. I chuckled at that. She went on to say that although she takes great care of her orchids, she does have a helper who finds specific beauties and brings them to her personally so that she has the best of the best in the neighborhood!

As my husband and I continued our walk through Key West, I kept thinking about how pretty all of the trees and flowers are, and don’t even get me started on the beauty of the water in South Florida.

God clearly took great care to create such a beautiful world for us to enjoy. I know I appreciate beautiful things! They catch my attention in a way that “ordinariness” doesn’t.

That short conversation about orchids reminds me about my relationship with Jesus. Jesus knows my name and He knows that I best thrive in fellowship with Him and His church. Jesus knows that there is a very real competition here on earth for the souls of all people, so He sent the Holy Spirit to guide us to Himself. I’m so happy about that!

God created the whole world and everything and everyone in it, so that we could live in relationship with Him. Unfortunately, sin entered the world and separated us from God. But God loved us so much that He sent His son, Jesus, to save us from our sins. Jesus was born, was crucified, died, was buried and rose again. By accepting this and agreeing that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, we can be accepted into God’s very own family! Now talk about Good News!

I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior years ago. That doesn’t mean that my life is all roses and sunshine now. But it does mean that I am free. Free from bondage in this life and the next. And free to spend eternity with my Lord and Savior. The only question is: Does my life reflect the beauty of God in a way to catch the attention of passersby who long to hear about the One who calls them by name?

Fearless Voyager

The first week of March 2021 found Bill and I enjoying the quiet luxury of Stock Island Marina Village as well as the lively fun of Key West.

Our intention was to stay another night in Key West and celebrate Bill’s birthday there before heading back to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, Florida. Because I’ve never sailed at night, our plan was to sail Key West to Marathon, Marathon to Key Largo, then Key Largo to Key Biscayne. That works out to sailing about 8 hours for three consecutive days and anchoring out each night. Doable, right? After all, one day at a time is how we got to Key West, and that was fun.

Well, an updated weather report disagreed. Basically, the weather forecast predicted that we could either cut our stay short one day and sail 24 hours continuously from Key West to Key Biscayne in nice weather with one to two foot seas, or we could stick to our plan and sail back in high winds with four to six foot waves. Yikes! What to do, what to do? Hmmm…am I afraid of sailing at night? Maybe, I don’t know because I’d never done it. Do I love staying up late into the night? Nope. Do I tend to get sea sick in high waves? Yep. And I have proven that more than once. OK, then, decision made.

My husband is a captain and has spent many nights at sea. He claims to actually even like it. I love him and I trust him, so we said a prayer together, filled up with diesel and water, and headed out at 8:30 am.

I know I wore this shirt yesterday, but think I might need my “fearless” shirt for this voyage!

Bill sailed the first several hours, well, I guess he sailed most of the trip, but this is a picture of me actually at the helm while Bill was asleep. That’s a first!

Bill sleeping-he must have confidence in me, huh?

This next photo is me on my second watch-life jacket on, tethered to the boat, hair getting messy-in the open ocean now!

My hair is messy, but seriously, isn’t this water beautiful?

While Bill was sleeping, I sent a picture of the navigation multifunction display to my friends asking if anyone really understands this stuff and whether or not it’s important. My friend, Crystal, who is a pilot, insisted that all those numbers actually do mean something and that ignoring them just might get us blown into the Bermuda Triangle. I’m guessing that Crystal actually knows what she’s talking about, but then my daughter, Becky, assured me that simply following a dolphin would probably be just fine. Decisions, decisions…as it turns out, there is quite a bit more to this First Mate stuff than I had originally thought! Well, I’ve known Becky longer than I’ve known Crystal, and her plan seemed easier, so…

Really, this is just too much for me to process…

I was still at the helm when the sun set. It was beautiful. I’ve got to admit, Florida has some of the very best sunsets I’ve ever seen.

As the sky darkened, our flag seemed to be the only thing shining, until the half moon made its appearance.

I have to admit that maybe I had been avoiding night sails for far too long. Because my husband likes it, and since I didn’t cry, I suppose that if sailing at night really makes the most sense next time around, maybe I won’t resist. But that’s a hard maybe, because I so love watching the dolphins, turtles, manatees, and even the jelly fish, as we sail along in these unbelievably beautiful waters.

Bill and I are both still smiling on hour 23 as we approach Key Biscayne!

Many, many thanks to my husband (who let me sleep in the cockpit most of the night), and to my family and friends who prayed for and encouraged me. And, a special shout out to my 6 year old grandson who texted me in the morning and referred to me as a “Fearless First Mate”! That means a lot coming from a Student Captain!