Loading tweets
My Original Websites Original Blogger Site (older entries) Original Website (older info)
Written by: 5/11/2013 12:04 PM
UPDATE: For those who have followed this journey I wanted to thank you again and let you know that I am writing again. Considering how much life has changed it didn't seem right to continue posting to Sailing for SOS now that voyage has been completed. If you care to follow the adventures of a farming sailor then check out the new blog at www.farmingsailor.com. It will cover the transition back to a life on land, tribulations of a first time farmer, and the escapes by boat and motorcycle during the winter months. - Lee from Northview, MO August 4th, 2013.
“I had not then learned that I would feel an intense depression every time I achieved a great ambition;….that the joy of living comes from action, from making the attempt, from the effort, not from success.” - Sir Francis Chichester after flying solo across the Tasmin Sea in an open sea plane.
Sitting here in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, my first and last foreign landfall, I lack the words to convey the tumult of emotions passing through me. Although I will still sail back to my original port in Texas, my outbound track and my inbound track cross here. This is where I’ve closed my loop. I wish I could tell you I was flooded with a sense of accomplishment. Only the hangover after a night of celebration was tangible.
Often I have a sense of feeling like a dog who’s just discovered he has been chasing his own tail. Years of effort, planning, and funding have gone into making a dream into a reality. Now that it has been fully realized, I find myself back where I started. Only now with a worn out sailboat and nearly too broke to even be able to reenter the United States. Though I know I am richer for the experience, the return to where it began is surreal.
There are moments when I cannot wait to put Jargo into storage and start the next chapter of my life. Other moments, the thought of returning to the USA make me want to raise a sail and run like hell. For years now when I have felt that my time with one place was done, I’ve sailed. That, my first option for years is rapidly receding. I know it is time, but it is not easy.
I know it is time because of this. In any great adventure most people will rely on some mode of transport. Be it by bicycle, motorcycle, car, atv, caravan, or boat. Success and safety rely on being able and willing to keep that vehicle in top condition. Life depends on it. Today, I have neither the means nor the desire to continue keeping Jargo offshore ready. It is not that she needs much, but mostly that I lack the desire to invest more time and money into a vessel that has now served her purpose. And she has served extremely well. So what does that lead too?
On this, Mother’s Day weekend, it is only fitting that I give remembrance to my own mother who we lost last September. The poignancy of that loss is still strong. With that loss came the recognition of my desire to be closer to my friends and family. To hold those people more closely in my life. To rebuild the long neglected friendships that have languored under the strain of time and distance.
My father is building a hay farm on our land in Missouri. I am going to trade the wheel in Jargo’s cockpit for the steering wheel in a tractor. I am trading the cramped, impossible conditions of marine diesel mechanics for the ease of a oil change you can do standing up. Parking brakes instead of anchors. Homes and cars that don’t sink if damaged. Stable friendships and relationships that don’t get cut off as soon as a sail is set. I am going to bury the gypsy bone that has made me run like the law was after me. I want to see what grows from it when I put it into fertile earth.
I am no longer researching the next destination. I am not looking over the horizon wondering what is there. I followed the Western horizon until it led me home again. I’ll never stop completely travelling, but I will put down some roots, figuratively and literally.
In time I’ll need the sea and the Missouri winters are cold. With a good break away from the sea I know my desire to return Jargo to previous Bristol fashion will return. With that desire will come the need to raise a sail. Not to go so far from home next time, and only for the cold months. Each spring I’ll return to the land in Missouri and work with the earth. I’ll homestead the few acres that aren’t under cultivation. I’ll find the balance that has not yet been present in my life.
I don’t know if I’ll write for this blog again. I may, I may not, but I certainly wouldn’t count on it. Still, I must give my thanks to everyone who has supported me along the way. Your emails, support, and donations have all had a huge impact on me and on this voyage. My thanks.
11 comment(s) so far...
Re: I Sailed West Until I Returned Again Where I Began I would like to thank you for your blog. I have followed it for several years now and have enjoyed seeing the changes in your writing and perspective as the trip proceeded. I have enjoyed the photography as well. I wish you good fortune in your next endeavors, and I hope you find that balance your are seeking.I will miss the blog.
Re: I Sailed West Until I Returned Again Where I Began
I would like to thank you for your blog. I have followed it for several years now and have enjoyed seeing the changes in your writing and perspective as the trip proceeded. I have enjoyed the photography as well. I wish you good fortune in your next endeavors, and I hope you find that balance your are seeking.I will miss the blog.
Re: I Sailed West Until I Returned Again Where I Began Lee,First , congratulations on you successful solo circumnavigation. You are now in a class of mariners that includes legends. I understand your desire to return to a place that won't sink beneath your feet. Compared to being at sea, being on land, without the inherent danger the sea holds, is cake. Unfortunately it holds the majority of the human race, which pose dangers of their ownYou will be missing the sea, I guarantee it. As you said, maybe you will not disappear over the horizon for years at a time. But the draw is strong. You have the sea time in spades. Get your masters license. You earned it,And while you are in Missouri with some time on your hands, write. You write well, and have a great story to tell. Not must the sea stuff, but all of it,Best wishes, I will miss following your journey Finest kind, bro.John M
Lee,First , congratulations on you successful solo circumnavigation. You are now in a class of mariners that includes legends. I understand your desire to return to a place that won't sink beneath your feet. Compared to being at sea, being on land, without the inherent danger the sea holds, is cake. Unfortunately it holds the majority of the human race, which pose dangers of their ownYou will be missing the sea, I guarantee it. As you said, maybe you will not disappear over the horizon for years at a time. But the draw is strong. You have the sea time in spades. Get your masters license. You earned it,And while you are in Missouri with some time on your hands, write. You write well, and have a great story to tell. Not must the sea stuff, but all of it,Best wishes, I will miss following your journey Finest kind, bro.John M
Re: I Sailed West Until I Returned Again Where I Began Thanks for this blog. Thanks for writing it, and thank you for the best sailing videos online (still).It was an awesome ride to read this blog, the only one i've followed. It's almost as if finally, years of bitter envy can begin to heal up, but then i came here often to feel that envy. To feel those dreams close to surface-level. It was all right.I can really recommend land, though, wer're having a great time here and are glad you've decided to join the party. Grab a drink, and say hi to your grandkinds from us who read the blog, when you tell them a kickass story from the seven seas/O
Thanks for this blog. Thanks for writing it, and thank you for the best sailing videos online (still).It was an awesome ride to read this blog, the only one i've followed. It's almost as if finally, years of bitter envy can begin to heal up, but then i came here often to feel that envy. To feel those dreams close to surface-level. It was all right.I can really recommend land, though, wer're having a great time here and are glad you've decided to join the party. Grab a drink, and say hi to your grandkinds from us who read the blog, when you tell them a kickass story from the seven seas/O
Re: I Sailed West Until I Returned Again Where I Began Thanks for the blog Lee, I will miss it as well. Maybe post pictures from the atlantic crossing? :)
Thanks for the blog Lee, I will miss it as well. Maybe post pictures from the atlantic crossing? :)
Re: I Sailed West Until I Returned Again Where I Began Congratulations Lee!I have thoroughly enjoyed your blog over the last several years. I will miss your writing, you do have a gift.My wife and I have one more year of driving truck for a company out of Joplin MO before we begin our big adventure. If we could somehow get together, you could count on a good dinner somewhere, your choice.I assume you have my e-mail, I'll leave it up to you. Have a great one!
Congratulations Lee!I have thoroughly enjoyed your blog over the last several years. I will miss your writing, you do have a gift.My wife and I have one more year of driving truck for a company out of Joplin MO before we begin our big adventure. If we could somehow get together, you could count on a good dinner somewhere, your choice.I assume you have my e-mail, I'll leave it up to you. Have a great one!
Re: I Sailed West Until I Returned Again Where I Began Humans are strange creatures. We always seem to set up goals, but find that the journey -- not the goal is what we enjoy. I have really enjoyed following your adventures. In a way it has allowed me to review my own goals. I hope that I get to see you when you sail back to Texas. If I don't, I wish you luck on your next adventure.
Humans are strange creatures. We always seem to set up goals, but find that the journey -- not the goal is what we enjoy. I have really enjoyed following your adventures. In a way it has allowed me to review my own goals. I hope that I get to see you when you sail back to Texas. If I don't, I wish you luck on your next adventure.
Re: I Sailed West Until I Returned Again Where I Began Man, what an adventure. Glad you made it back but I really enjoyed reading about your journey. I followed you and Alex Dorsey with Project Blue Sphere on a weekly basis. There were a few times during the past few years when I was almost to the point of embarking on a journey but never pulled the trigger. May live to regret that one of these days but living vicariously through you guys was the next best thing. Like to have a beer with you and listen to some good stories.thanks for the blog
Man, what an adventure. Glad you made it back but I really enjoyed reading about your journey. I followed you and Alex Dorsey with Project Blue Sphere on a weekly basis. There were a few times during the past few years when I was almost to the point of embarking on a journey but never pulled the trigger. May live to regret that one of these days but living vicariously through you guys was the next best thing. Like to have a beer with you and listen to some good stories.thanks for the blog
Re: I Sailed West Until I Returned Again Where I Began Off course you did it, I have never think that can be different, You always have look like somebody who got his goal. If you will not return on sea It will be miss me somebody who I can call by radio and wake him to say that this gorgeous whale is with calf near boat, Maybe I will stay on land as you. My time to finish my journey didn't came yet. But I'm realy proud from you that you did it. Ps. first month on hard are realy hard as you have written the land is not swinging as your blood, But you are on good land and between good people it helpfull.
Off course you did it, I have never think that can be different, You always have look like somebody who got his goal. If you will not return on sea It will be miss me somebody who I can call by radio and wake him to say that this gorgeous whale is with calf near boat, Maybe I will stay on land as you. My time to finish my journey didn't came yet. But I'm realy proud from you that you did it. Ps. first month on hard are realy hard as you have written the land is not swinging as your blood, But you are on good land and between good people it helpfull.
Re: I Sailed West Until I Returned Again Where I Began I sad to say I just found this site today as I have been digging for information for my voyage/adventure. If you feel as though you need to go again..sail with me, I'm sure I could learn a lot from you..take caremike
I sad to say I just found this site today as I have been digging for information for my voyage/adventure. If you feel as though you need to go again..sail with me, I'm sure I could learn a lot from you..take caremike
Re: I Sailed West Until I Returned Again Where I Began UPDATE: For those who have followed this journey I wanted to thank you again and let you know that I am writing again. Considering how much life has changed it didn't seem right to continue posting to Sailing for SOS now that voyage has been completed. If you care to follow the adventures of a farming sailor then check out the new blog at www.farmingsailor.com. It will cover the transition back to a life on land, tribulations of a first time farmer, and the escapes by boat and motorcycle during the winter months. - Lee from Northview, MO August 4th, 2013.
Re: I Sailed West Until I Returned Again Where I Began What a beautifully written post. I just discovered your sight and look forward to following along on your past adventure even though I know where it ends. I'll be checking out your new blog as well - you certainly have a way with words. I too have felt the desire to put my hands in the dirt and reconnect with all those people whose lives carry on while we're away. For the meantime the sea still has a hold on me...but it won't be long before my homing beacon becomes deafening.Sincerely,Harmonywww.taketothesea.us
What a beautifully written post. I just discovered your sight and look forward to following along on your past adventure even though I know where it ends. I'll be checking out your new blog as well - you certainly have a way with words. I too have felt the desire to put my hands in the dirt and reconnect with all those people whose lives carry on while we're away. For the meantime the sea still has a hold on me...but it won't be long before my homing beacon becomes deafening.Sincerely,Harmonywww.taketothesea.us