Aside from having become dear friends, Randy and Eileen have become our "children" (though in fact we're in the same generation). We have delighted in their discovery of sailing, their adventures, their total immersion and commitment to what we have always considered a magical event in our lives....sailing. Sailing for the pure fun of it, sailing for the pure joy of it, sailing for the pure discovery of every new dawn and sunset and for each moment of the day when one finally realizes that life is short, life is good and life is very very simple...at it's best!

We often tell people who are new to and dreaming of sailing, that "no, you are not crazy and you are not the only ones who feel like you are different. Look at the fellow across the office from you. Most probably you have nothing in common more than your job and most probably their dream of a summer spent well, is fixing the back yard fence while you dream of salt water, lovely anchorages and bluewater passages. You just HAVE to get OUT THERE...there is a whole community out there waiting for you, a worldwide "nation" of kindred spirits....JUST LIKE YOU".

Randy and Eileen - on their first sail EVER, sailed to the Bahamas from Florida and then up to Nova Scotia for the summer. They have just returned from this great adventure. Their lovely boat is hauled for bottom paint and in 2 weeks time, January 20th, 2000, on a full moon with a total eclipse, they begin a down Island passage. They are scheduling a year with no home trips planned and after that..."the WORLD is waiting". Like I said, we have never been so wrong!

Today, Randy came into our office for hugs and smiles. He said that both he and Eileen "couldn't wait to get back aboard and have the boat launched". I said "I know....being aboard is REALLY being home, isn't it".

Randy said "I wrote a poem late one night. I was all alone on watch and it just came to me....this feeling just came to me about being home....our boat, no matter where it is is HOME!"