Day 242, Year 6 Home Again, Home Again
Date: Thursday, June 23, 2011
Weather: Totally Overcast with Rain Late in the Day
Temperature: 68 degrees daytime; 61 degrees evening
Latitude: 41 31.528 N
Longitude: 070 40.226 W
Location: Eel Pond, Woods Hole, Massachusetts
Miles Traveled: 687
When our children were small, we read to them from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. Our favorite line was, “There is nothing – absolutely nothing -half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” We took that seriously and sailed away from Cape Cod over five and a half years ago with the goal of sailing around the world. Today that goal was realized when we returned to Cape Cod. We can now officially say that we reached our goal and I don’t really have words to express the feeling of accomplishment. What a wonderful world it is out there and we can think of no better way to see it and meet its people than sailing in the comfort of your own home, in our case, Windbird. And now it is a strange feeling to say we are home. We are always at home because Windbird is our home, no matter where in the world she may be. We lived aboard Windbird in Boston prior to leaving in October of 2005, but we will probably not be returning there. We worked in Concord, New Hampshire, a place we called home for fifteen years prior to leaving, but we will probably not be returning there. When we have come “home” to visit during our circumnavigation, we have stayed with our daughter here on Cape Cod. Two of our three grandchildren live here and we are going to stay here for the summer months and decide where to next. So rather than saying we are home, maybe it is best just to say that Windbird in back in home territory. I think we have become true wanderers. That might sound a bit roguish, but as JRR Tolkien once said, “Not all who wander are lost.” The statistics from our voyage speak for themselves:
Total Miles Traveled: 39,060
Total Miles In Passages: 30,648
Total Islands Visited: ~ 190
Total Countries or Separate Political Entities: ~ 36
Total Continents Visited: 5 of 7
For those of you who have traveled with us through these logs, we want to thank you for sticking with us. Even though the voyage is officially ended, I’m going to continue writing logs. It has become such a part of my life that I just can’t stop here. Besides, the circumnavigation might be completed, but who knows what new adventure lurks just around the corner?
On an ancient wall in China
Where a brooding Buddha blinks
Deeply graven is the message–
It is later than you think.
The clock of time is wound but once and
No man has the power,
To tell just when the hand will stop
At late or early hour.
Now is all the time you own,
The past a golden link.
Go cruising now my brother
It is later than you think.
110623 Day 242 Cape Cod, USA–Passage to Cape Cod |
It must feel good to be back in familiar waters…and yet possibly sad at the same time. I have followed your journey since near the beginning, and what a saga it has been. You blog will be a true gift for your grandchildren, to get to know you better. Thank you for sharing and allowing the rest of the world to live vicariously though your travels. Perhaps you will inspire others to follow in your footsteps, perhaps even me and my wife. Enjoy your time with your family and good health to the both of you.
You don’t know me, but in following your blog all these years, I’ve feel like I know you very well. I’ll continue to read your blog but it feels like a part of my life is over. Strange feeling. Thanks for bringing a little adventure into my life.
A fan from Missouri.
Wow! The two of you, and Windbird, are amazing — congratulations. For dreamers like me who have enjoyed your circumnavigation through your ‘log’ … thank you. It’s good to know you are back in home waters safe and sound.
The conclusion of such feats are noted as an “end” for voyagers and their trips. The “end” has me wondering, what do people devoting 5-1/2 years cruising the world do next? I’m anxious to find out and perhaps if you continue to post, we will? Glad to know you are at home port.
Welcome home. I’ve been privileged to follow your journey. Quite an amazing experience. We look forward to catching upon the Cape.
Mark & Judy,
Just came by to see where you were….Eel Pond! Congrats on your second completion in your circumnavigation. Woods Hole is such a nice place to call “home.” Enjoy your summer – it should be among the best ever!
Bob & Beth