Today is Thanksgiving. As with many families, the traditional ways in which my family and I have come together at this time, have been rendered impossible by Covid. On top of that, I have been isolating for 2 weeks, due to bizarre symptoms and the weighty responsibility of possessing such symptoms in the times of a global pandemic. Therefore, my 53rd birthday and my 53rd Thanksgiving have been “unusual” to say the least. So, I sit here alone in my apartment contemplating life, and fantasizing about my upcoming sailing adventures, which include Catalina trips and racing in the PSSA winter series . Cassiopeia and I will be getting our sh*t together in the next two months so that we can get out there into the wild blue after a year of tending to family obligations.

One of my daily rituals in my solitude, is to track my dear friend Whitall Stokes. He is a little over two weeks into his attempt to circumnavigate the world, solo, non-stop and unassisted, aboard his Open 50, Sparrow. I was blessed to be able to be in San Francisco to see him off as he sailed under the Golden Gate and into his great adventure. What a special time!

Today I had the pleasure of emailing with him. He is facing so many challenges right now, not the least of which is beating into high winds. No matter his challenges though, he always finds the beauty, which is one of the many reasons we connect so deeply.

I am toasting him today, and every day! He is out there in the big blue, chasing his dreams and challenging himself. Go Whitall!!

If you want to know more about Whitall and his adventure, click HERE.

If you would like to track his progress, click HERE.

‘Lectronic Latitude published a great little article about Whitall’s adventure. Check it out HERE.

My intrepid friend and I on the dock before his departure on November 8. Photo by Christine Weaver, Latitude 38 (on my camera)

Whitall’s position on Thanksgiving day, 2020