We will always be wet and salty. Our clothes will always be damp. None of our equipment will function perfectly, if it works at all. What were once minor events in the course of day now require planning, effort, and cooperation. Every decision we make - where to go, what to do each day, where to anchor, where to store things - is necessarily a joint decision, requiring at least discussion and frequently debate. We will always be in each other’s way. Space is tight and solitude hard to find. These are realities we are accepting. Patience and trust have never been more important. It has not been easy acclimating ourselves to this new life but it’s absolutely worth it. Fortunately we are in good health, in body and spirit. Nearly every Bahamian and fellow cruiser we’ve met has been helpful. Electrical tape, zip ties, hose clamps, and rope are our allies. PB & J’s and instant coffee fuel us. The camaraderie among us is strong. Each one carries his share. Long before we crossed the Florida Straits it became clear that we have different capabilities and areas of expertise. What one lacks, the others make up for. The year we spent preparing for this trip, the difficult passage that began it, and the challenges we’ve faced in the last several weeks have proved that we can rely on each other to overcome anything.
