Publish Date: Thursday, November 5, 2009
Location: Beaufort, South Carolina
Coordinates: 32° 25.675′ N 80° 40.972′ W
When we go camping my favorite part of the experience is sitting around a crackling campfire on a cool evening in the woods. We usually have marshmallows to roast, and there may be a bottle of red wine being passed around (which really compliments the marshmallows!). Friends are gathered, and there’s nothing to do but chat and enjoy the moment.
Being at anchor on our boat on a calm evening is a similar experience. The moon reflects on the water, and sometimes there’s a cool breeze keeping the bugs at bay. You can hear fish jump, and sometimes you can hear frogs or crickets from the nearby shore. It feels peaceful and remote, even when you’re anchored only a few hundred feet from land. The boat is moving just enough to let you know that you’re being cradled by the passing water.
Being tied to a dock has many advantages. Docks are certainly more convenient when you want to leave the boat: just step off the side. When at anchor you actually have to take a boat ride to go anywhere. Docks have power supplies that you can plug into and water supplies that you can tap. When at anchor you have to run the generator to produce power and make water (we run ours for about six hours each day: three in the morning and three in the evening). Docks are more secure — you don’t have to worry about your anchor dragging in the middle of the night. A dock is to your boat as a garage is to your car.
The main advantage of being at anchor is, well, the experience of being at anchor. You’re just out there, floating. Relaxing. Thinking. You read a book instead of watch television. You talk to your family instead of to the neighbors. You cook dinner at home instead of walking to the local restaurant. You go to bed early and get up early. You can see the sky — all of the sky — filled with stars or blue as Wedgwood china. You feel alive and at the mercy of nature, but you know it’s all going to be okay.
You’re floating, and it’s magical.
All you need to do is figure out how to have that nice campfire on the boat!:)
Hi to 3@sea, Been following you all for the last 11months and Ayla may like to follow a Australian teen on her sailing venture on the following web site,jessicawatson.com.au. have lots of fun.
Bill.
Davis, How ironic……………………Last night we were sitting around the camp fire and I thought of you not being able to have a campfire………………….but being able to view the beautiful rising moon off the water. Trade offs!
We hope your “girls” got “home” safe.
Art
Fabulously descriptive writing! It’s not just Kathryn AND Ayla who can write beautiful words. Thanks for the experience. Feels like I am there with you. WISH I was there ! Thanks for keeping us entertained AND informed.
What a fantastic bit of writing and picture. As winter starts to set in here and the stresses of work get to me I look out my office window at Lake Ontaro and dream of being at anchor at Anchor in some far off place, it is instant therapy! Thanks Dave, I hope the “Crew” arrived home safetly and the projects are coming along well. My Dad is in town and we will be sure to raise a glass of wine thinking about Three@Sea!
Cheers,
Chris
Just getting away from it all is great therapy! Either on land or sea, it’s just so peaceful to be away from society in general. Hope the crew make it back safe and sound. Suggest that Ayla try Dean Koontz “Odd Thomas” series of books since she likes the Harry Potter series as much as I do. Take care and calm water travels!
Great reason to live on a boat !! What’s your docking schedule coming into Florida ?
Great picture…..but I’m sure it doesn’t compare with actually being there and drinking it all in with the gentle breezes and the smell of the water to calm the soul. Thanks for sharing once again.
Almost like being a kid again on Harsens Island. Something we enjoy all the time. Summer and Winter.