Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Time to Go

5 Peso Shades
5 Peso Shades
Originally uploaded by toastfloats.
Today is the day. It hurts. It hurts a whole lot. In a few days, a few weeks at most, I'll recalibrate. My sense of humor will return, my ability to write about our lives resurface. Until then -- and until my posse queen art maven Keetster gets my graphics done -- you're going to see canned writing I did over the past 6 weeks. Still about cruising rather than our new life. Check the Twitter feed for where and what we're actually doing.

In case I have not made this clear with all my prior posts, I can think of no better way to raise children than on a cruising sail boat. There are many successful, wonderful ways to raise children. There are undoubtedly safer or more economically responsible methods. However, it is almost inconceivable that our family will ever stumble on one that suits us better. We can only hope we find methods and places and people that come close to the incredibly stimulating and rich lifestyle we have led for the past two years.

Today we walked away from Don Quixote. I'd say there is a better than even chance we'll never see her again. Today we walked away from the docks at Marina de La Paz, away from the Sea of Cortez, and away from the nautical based cruising world. I hurt in places in my soul I didn't know existed. I'm filled with a senseless fear that we'll never live this well again, never see the world and feel each other with quite the same intensity. I don't want to let go of the notoriety of Don Quixote or the special relationship the girls forged between our family and cruisers throughout Canada and Mexico.

However, for now... we are done. It's time to go.

13 comments:

HeatherLee said...

That post made me cry for you. I know you'll follow another path. I'm so happy for this experience for your family. I hope you get some good cries in.

How are the girls taking it?

Toast said...

@heatherlee Surprisingly well so far. Walking down the dock the last time was really tough, but now we are at a hotel and they are screaming as they jump on a tramp. One thing they clearly absorbed over the years is flexibility and the eagerness to embrace change.

Pat said...

It's the people that make the difference in lifestyle/child rearing, not the place. You've already put into practice all that matters. I know your family will build on the time you spent on Don Quixote and move on to new and different experiences. And you will always have these incredible memories. (Having said that, I also feel how really difficult it must be to leave her.)

Relentless Toil said...

Oh honey, I wish I could hug you and hug you and pour you a glass of wine and hear you out, and then jump with your girls, knowing the next grand adventure is just around the corner. It is always this way for you. This is how you roll.
--Keet who is about to draw your new banner.

Singing Land Cruiser said...

Christi & I wish for your safe travels. You will do well were ever you go. You always have.
Are you coming our way, San Diego?
If so, we would love to meet you and yours. Your welcome to say over at our resort. All the best, M&C

judith said...

I've enjoyed your adventures on Don Q and look forward to what will come next for your family. Thank you for sharing with us. I'll still say 'fair winds and following seas' to you, for who knows what adventure the next winds will blow to you.

HeatherLee said...

The banner is sweet!

I was wandering if you would change the blog name...but it's like Toast is just floating in another fashion.

HeatherLee said...

The banner is sweet!

I was wandering if you would change the blog name...but it's like Toast is just floating in another fashion.

HeatherLee said...

wondering...

I was wondering where you would be wandering to next....

I hate grammar...

Why would I choose to be an English major?

Stephen Spencer said...

It's a new chapter. The chapter you just finished was really, really good. OK, rough in a few places, but an adventure all the same.

Bon voyage!

Bethany said...

Oh my gosh. I feel like I'm going to cry and I don't even know you guys! Cheers to the next adventure. If it turns out that life at sea is better, you'll find yourselves on another boat on another sea sometime. Wishing you all the best, of course.

Anonymous said...

Good luck and thanks for sharing your grand adventures. It's always so hard to leave, but closing one door opens up pathways to many new adventures. I look forward to reading about them on this blog.

Sarah in Alaksa

Kirk said...

Shanti and I have been talking about various things related to raising a family and living an interesting life. I keep finding myself thinking of and referring to you and your family as examples. It was fun reading about your cruising and I'm sure it will be fun to read about your adventures in N.Z.