As we come closer to our departure the question of what-to-take and what-to-leave is gaining importance as well as immediacy. It’s a process of sorting, evaluating and more often than not, letting go of “stuff”. This has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the journey so far. It’s an intensely personal process that gains from sharing but ultimately must be the sole province of the sorter. Susan is going through a similar process in her own way but because it’s such an individual thing, I’m just going to speak for myself right now.My plan is to store as few possessions as possible because we don’t plan to return to Connecticut when we’re through sailing. That level of commitment is also serving to intensify the experience. Given that we don’t have room to take everything we own or not even a fraction of that, drastic cuts are being made and most of my worldly possessions are being let go of.
It’s not just the problem of taking or leaving things we already own, we also have to consider the new gear and supplies we’ll need to support us along the way. Considering that we’re going on a journey that will last for years and visit remote places with no stores, no mail and in some cases, no people; we definitely have to stock up on essentials such as; extra food, medical supplies and spare parts. Add to this list other requisites such as the life raft, ditch kit, series drogue, extra sails, three back-up anchors and a dinghy. All these essentials have to go and precede “toys” and personal effects, reducing the available amount of storage space on board to a minimum.
On the personal possession front my largest possession, my home, is going on the market despite the slump in real estate values. With the house goes all my furniture which is mostly ok but I’m still not resolved about my antique dining room table that’s been in my family for almost 100 years. It’s a massive, rugged and beautiful round table that will extend out to seat 12 when needed. Most of my clothing will have to go, that’s easy, especially the suits and winter stuff. Sporting gear; cross country skis, snowshoes, climbing gear, ice skates all go. Roller blades; I’d love to take them and they don’t take up much room but really, when would I get to use them where we’re going? I’ll try to fit one backpack, sleeping bag and bivy sack for future land excursions.
Small boats present a bit of a problem because I have so many and I do love them. I’ve been whittling down my fleet of 7 kayaks, 2 closed canoes, 3 windsurfers and a sailing/rowing skiff. I’m hoping there will be room on deck for one windsurfer and I’d love to take a kayak but that may not make the cut. Susan has wisely observed that our dinghy can take us most places a kayak can which is true. The hard thing is that I’ve been building and paddling kayaks all my adult life and it’s hard to imagine a life around water without a kayak but imagine I must as we are both hoping to find room for folding bikes.Tools are another serious matter. I’ve condensed all my mechanics tools into what I think I’ll need to maintain the boat. Woodworking tools are another problem. The table saw is already gone and I plan to part ways with most of my hand tools. A sad parting it will be as I love woodworking. I plan to take a small plane, a hand saw, a saber saw, a hammer, a chisel and an ax.
Tension was building within me. In spite of my spartan aspirations, I fretted about how I’d manage to fit everything we’ll need for the trip within the limited confines of Gypsy’s slender hull. It occurred to me that even if we could afford a huge boat large enough to take everything we have or want, it wouldn’t be good. I’d hate a boat that large and cumbersome. It would consume all my time, and more, just maintaining such a vessel. More importantly, it would deny me of the wonderful opportunity and motivation to take a critical look at my “stuff”, my life and the relationship between the two.
I had an epiphany last week about this whole process that put it into perspective and released the tension that was building around the issue. I remembered what an Indian swami had said in a talk I attended last year, he said; “we have enough”. That you and I, all of us, have everything we need. And I believe him. I’ll say that again for emphasis because it’s important and I’m afraid that my words fall short of the power and clarity of the swami’s; We have enough! With that thought in mind it became clear to me that although I won’t be able to bring everything I want, whatever I bring, will be enough. From that point forward I’ve been able to relax about the matter and proceed with the confidence that it’s all ok. That whatever we take will not only be enough, it will be precious and a gift.
171 days...
