Wednesday, January 5, 2005
Sarasota, FL
Venice Inlet
We’re done. At 12:40 this afternoon, we finished our 3,594th nautical mile and tied up to a dock. I feel . . . numb. I never thought it would be such a big deal, but I think I am truely depressed. Instead of basking in the glow of our success, the glory of our accomplishment, I am saddened by the fact that, for the first time, tomorrow’s purpose will be focused on moving ashore, rather than moving the boat to an new anchorage or a new destination. For the first time in seven months, tomorrow’s horizon will display the same view as today’s. For the first time in seven months, I’ll wake tomorrow in a bed of a house on land instead of a bunk on my boat.
It is over.
Nereus Tightly Tied to Shore
Our last day was very uneventful, especially compared to the sailing we have done since arriving in southern Florida. With only eighteen miles to the “finish line,” we slept late. At 0900, we weighed anchor, motored out the Venice inlet, and reentered the now glassy-calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. I find it very funny the last day of this voyage would be spent motoring instead of sailing. It is kind of disappointing. We powered in to Marina Jack on the Sarasota waterfront, tied up, and stepped ashore.
It is over.
No fanfare. No pre-departure excitement. Just us, standing on the dock, staring at each other, wondering what to do next. We stood there, feeling empty with the realization that tomorrow we would wake in a house and return to the “grind” of everyday normalcy. Shutting down the systems aboard Nereus that have sustained us for the past seven months reinforces the new reality we now face: the finality of the end.
It is over.
Right now, the thing to do is walk away and let the haze of our current confusion clear. I hope, soon, we can reflect on our voyage with the pride it deserves. Right now, though, we just need to figure out our situation and fight the urge to load back up, untie the lines, and take off again. No matter what any one says, the hardest part of this whole journey is coming back ashore. If this trip is the best thing we’ve ever done, then the worst is stopping.
I am sure this is just the way I feel right now. With time, my attitude will come around and I’ll look forward to the future and our next departure. For now, however, I’m stuck with the almost-unbearable thought of my uncertain tomorrow on land. I already miss our beloved home – Nereus.
Signing off for now. This is Nereus. Whiskey-Delta-Bravo-six-five-niner-one. Over and out.
– Steve