As I said the other day in a Facebook post: SH*T is getting REAL around here! It seems that it has taken a lifetime to prepare myself and my boat for this adventure, but it has really only been 7 months so far, and so much has gotten done. I think for all intents and purposes, I actually have a new boat. We are on the home stretch for sure, and it is all feeling very real right now. There is a quivering air of excitement and nervousness in and around me these days, as I face and feel the reality of what I have taken on. I will be leaving San Francisco for Hanalei in 2 short months!

One of the things that continues to strike me about this endeavor is how it would not be possible without all of the amazing people in my life who support me (even when they are scared shitless and don’t really want me to do it AT all…EWC :-) ). Yes, I am the one who has to leave the dock, the shore, and the security of my land life to make it happen, but getting to that point would certainly not be happening if it weren’t for so many amazing people loving and supporting me. There are the talented people who are physically supporting my preparations, from boat prep to educating me on how to read the weather and not get lost and end up in Tahiti (although that wouldn’t be so bad actually). The loves who are emotionally there for me on a daily basis, who hear me out through my ups and downs and talk me off the ledge when I go into major self doubt mode. And then there are the people who are reading my blog or following me on Facebook (both known and unknown) who consistently send me so much support and good wishes. I also continue to receive the most amazing gifts to accompany me on my journey. Even my emergency rudder, although a loan, is a gift of sorts, because with it comes all of the good juju of many crossings on many boats. Haunani is becoming beautifully adorned with all these amazing talismans and their good energy and she (and I) feels stronger for it.

The most moving of these gifts for me, is a little trinket I received yesterday from my dad. It is a tiny scrimshaw piece of his that I have always loved that was given to him by a dear friend years ago, before one of his Pacific crossings. It has a compass rose on one side and a little saying: “Woody don’t get lost” on the other. The words are all worn off now, but I know they are still there in spirit. I have seen that little gem on or around my dad for a long time now as his own special good luck piece. He sent it to me the other day with a beautiful card as a good luck token to be carried now on my own sailing adventures. I cannot believe this special little piece is now in my care. I am so moved, and feel it full of beautiful strength and an energy that can only come from my amazing Pop!

Sometimes it makes me so weepy, and it always makes me feel grateful to be surrounded by such beautiful souls. It makes me think of a saying by Ram Das: “we are all just walking each other home”. I know he is talking about something much more profound and esoteric here, but it is also very simple. Isn’t every adventure and every step we take in our lives a step towards home? And how beautiful to have so many lovely people to walk with! Thank you all for your love and support. I am a lucky, lucky woman!

the good luck emergency rudder all rigged up

charts, ditch bag, medical supplies...you name it, all ready to go.