The gift of Friendships

Living aboard a sailboat, homeschooling, and being constantly on the move, we knew this lifestyle of ours would have an impact on the way we socialize, probably reducing our ability to make and be with friends. That was our expectation at the beginning.

In fact, while sailing down the coast of the US during Fall and Winter, we did have moments of solitude along the way.

On the other hand though, this trip has opened up opportunities to refresh good old friendships, which was an unexpected pleasant surprise.

 

At the same time, we’ve had the chance to make new friendships, which I hope to remain for the future.

While still in Seattle, we met Jon from s/v Akimbo, when our kids got attracted by his colorful spinning poi. He is an experienced sailor, who has spent many years cruising on his beautiful yacht, and shared valuable insights and words of encouragement to us at a moment we needed it most (the blog of his voyage, by the way, is well worth a visit).

Further down the coast, we met the Adagios, with whom we shared docks for the next two or three ports thereafter. They are down in Mexico now, and I am sure we will get together again as our paths cross somewhere in the Sea of Cortez in a few months from now (on this picture, Steve and I having some “boat talk” just after our arrival to Crescent City, after an overnight passage from Coos Bay):

More recently, we met the crew of s/v Coastal Drifter. This event didn’t happen by chance. Adriana and Debra had been in contact via Facebook for a few months, and when the two boats coincided in San Diego, we moved Pesto to the same marina they were at. As soon as Raquel and I had tied Pesto up at the docks, Coastal Drifter’s two adorable girls came to introduce themselves, and a strong friendship flourished among them and Raquel almost instantly.

Now the kids (including Paulo) spend almost every day together, as soon as they finish homeschool, and our hearts are filled with happiness each time we see them going about the docks playing together. Among their many adventures, they have transformed Pesto into a hair-style salon, they did sleepovers, visited the Balboa Park and Legoland together, there was a girls’ night out (Paulo not included), hours have been spent in the Marina’s swimming pool, and the list goes …

This Journey has given us the unexpected opportunity to review dear friends who shared each a different stage of our lives. And at the same time it is allowing us to meet new friends, with whom we now share similar interests and  lifestyles. What a rich and meaningful experience!