More and more often the time seems to be getting away from me. We motor down the ICW holding our breath as we skim over shallow spots, anchor in unknown rivers and (I at least) still duck at the 65 ft bridges. But things are more settled. It isn’t that each town isn’t a new experience, it is. Where to get ashore, is sometimes a dilemma, how to get to civilization once on shore can be equally challenging! But for the most part walking a mile or two for groceries or using the courtesy car if we are at a marina that has one, or in extreme cases catching a cab have become a part of our weekly routine for provisioning. I’m more careful not to forget things when I shop and check my list more thoroughly than I did when I could just swing by the grocery store on the way home from work.

Nearly every meal is cooked and eaten on board and we’ve had great luck with the stove (a new three burner force 10) the food is good and the camaraderie with the family even better. Most recently we have come into Jekyll Harbor Marina on Jekyll Island Georgia where there are a number of other cruising sailboats all on differing schedules but mostly headed, as we are for the Bahamas. It’s been nice to meet other cruisers, particularly those with kids.

Last night in honor of the coming of the New Year we had a potluck up by the restaurant and there were at least 20 adults and about 10 kids. The kids played a combination of tag and hide and seek in the gathering darkness (after we all descended on the food) and from ages 7 to 18 all seemed contented in enjoying each others company. It was an enjoyable night and worth mention as we haven’t had this opportunity to interact with so many cruisers at the same time before. It seems that this is more the “norm” than not when cruisers collect in a marina or anchorage.

Food and drink is shared as well as information. What are the best anchorages, where is the safest passage from, who does the best weather routing? Boat repairs and systems are another big topic as the night continues. What’s been broken, how did it break, how was it repaired. Questions and answers about who did the repair and at what time and expense are high on the list of informal discussion topics. It seems as though even though no one sets an agenda there is an overall theme. It’s comfortable and easy to join in. We have lists of things we’ve fixed and are eager to get the info on anchorages and weather routing.

Overall Cruising seems to be taking over as our way of life. Less and less do I carry the cell phone and when it rings I’m surprised and a little annoyed. Who could that be? Oh there are the odd family members (no offense if you are one of the family members) that call and from time to time someone calls about the apartments but compared to the 50 or so incoming calls I used to get daily the call that comes in now, perhaps one or two times a week is a big change, but one I am adjusting to.