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Lexington - 3/7/17. 14°. 12' south. 143°. 43' west. Headed to Kauehi Atoll



"Robert: I will send photo of operating room to reassure you of your sojourne as one of those things most all would love to do. Each of us has a quest; most only dream. I so enjoy your trip – pics are awsome!! Keep up the muses, thoughts and considerations and words from the heart.! You are having a real ‘spiritual’ experience. Enjoy the freedom!!"


The above is a note from a neurosurgeon I worked closely with, Bill Brooks. It is a very eloquent wishful statement. From that statement you know that he would want to be here on a boat doing the same thing. The irony of the situation is that his note was written at 2:30 a.m. I am writing this at 4:30 a.m. He probably just got out of the operating room from doing an emergency surgery. I am on my watch, 3:00-6:00, running the generator to charge batteries, taking the wall off my berth so the cool air from the air conditioner cools the batteries and it has just started to rain on me a little. (The cooler the batteries the quicker they charge) . Now which one of us has it better? The bottom line is "What is your cup of tea"? If I enjoyed chamomile tea flavored with bitterroot and sassafras I doubt I would have much trouble with people drinking my tea. Being on a boat is not everyone's cup of tea. There are four of us living in about 350 square feet below with a 15 by 15 foot patio (the cockpit). We are often hot, sticky and/or wet. There is no way to go to the corner store. We have to be aware of our environment all the time. Mother Nature is sometimes a mean woman to live with. I think she has been jilted a few times too many. Most of us would like to be smart enough to be a neurosurgeon but not necessarily at 2:30 a.m. doing emergency surgery. The other side of it is that we are allowed to do a lot of things many people do not even dream about. More people climb Mt. Everest every year than sail around the world. We will swim in waters that some have not even read about. We have the pleasure of sailing with a group of diverse very intelligent people from around the world. We all share our expertise and help each other when things need fixing. We have a "major Tom to ground control" convenience of having World Cruising grease the skids for our travels. Now why should I complain when I am hot and sweaty? Because it is human nature. It is also attitude. When we met the group coming back from the waterfalls a few days ago, their feet were muddy, white socks were black, mud covered their legs, bugs had been all around them the whole trip, their feet and ankles hurt a little and they had just hiked for 3 hours thru the jungle. They all said they enjoyed their day and encouraged us to do the same (they were younger). The couple that did it the next day had one of them with two artificial hips. I have had a few negative hot sweaty thoughts. Now I realize that those are selfish thoughts. I should cherish the adventure. I should enjoy my cup of tea. The photo of the day is of the back of the boat showing the flag and our hammock of fruit (my breakfast each morning) . The flag reminds me of our freedom to sail the ocean enjoying the fruits of nature. May fair winds fill your sails with the tea of your choice! Many thanks for friends like Bill Brooks! Bob


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