helicopters vs. peace ?

I’m relearning the “live slowly” part of my mantra.

Sun, clouds, rain, stars, birds, planes, and satellites pass overhead, and I notice them all. We are anchored far from other boats, check the current position page. We are surrounded by peace & harmony.

Carla and I are just livin’ plain slow. The day may bring work on the film or boat, the gift of fish, or just a rainy day reading in the cockpit. We follow the energy of the day without worry or responsibility. This is what I have worked so hard for!

The book I just finished “The Education Of Little Tree” is one of my new favorites. It’s a story of innocence and lights the path between two roads in life (Nature vs. western culture), I will always choose Nature. I’m reading another interesting book “Mutant Message From Down Under”, I’m only about a quarter of the way through but I am enjoying it. It’s another book about an indigenous culture and their relationship with Nature vs western culture. If anyone is up for playing cowboys & Indians, I’ll be the Indian!

The Indians I know are just so much more aware of the world around them, the wind, the sea, the fish. I listened to 3 women chat about the evils of windows 7, GPS drivers, and various computer issues they were having, on the SSB this morning. They knew so little about what they were talking about (com ports & drivers), but what struck me is how much less they/we know of the natural world around us. I wish to direct my energy more towards Nature and less towards being a good outboard mechanic. I will row & sail my new beautiful sailing dinghy!

I have an interesting story about this hogfish I shot.

Carla and I went to a new section of reef, my new favorite spot. I was in the water about 20 minutes when I spotted the hogfish in about 25’ of water. “Kind of shallow for such a fish” I thought “Why is he swimming towards me”? I took my shot and hit him center body. The spear did some damage but didn’t penetrate his thick scales. He swam 15 feet away, turned around to look at me and waited for another shot “ahhhhhh, okay”. It was my birthday and believed that the fish Gods had brought me a present. Carla watched this whole thing and we both had the same feeling, he offered himself to my spear. I came close to him, he was very conscious of the situation, and I took my final shot.

Some people like to bleed their fish out but I like to stop the suffering. I always thank my kill and the fish Gods for my prize, and immediately brain the fish with my dive knife against a rock. I know you might think I’m mad but I intentionally do this with a gentile hand as I calm the fish. If you’re a hunter you may understand this?

We got in the dinghy and I dropped Carla off at Splendid before I went to a nearby island to clean my kill. As I was cleaning him I noticed he had a large piece of soft coral stuck in his esophagus and his stomach was empty, he knew he was dying. “He did offer himself to me” I realized. It was an important moment for me, one of realization and consciousness.

Fish are not stupid and are much closer to Nature (my God) than humans. I have a relationship with the reef. My function is the same as a reef shark: to hunt the slow and the weak. To keep the reef healthy while living healthy, and not to take advantage or too much. This is my responsibility here, to feed myself and Carla. To laugh, to learn, and to share. Life can be so beautiful, innocent, and peaceful if we are just a little more aware.

I had two anchor rollers on the bow and believe that one should carry an emergency anchor ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.

One of my biggest concerns sailing is being on a lee shore with no wind, a strong current, a defunct engine, and water too deep to drop a hook. Basically helpless as you approach the shore or reef.

I carry 300’ of 5/16bbb chain attached to my 80lb Manson supreme and an additional 500’ of rode (800’ total). It’s heavy ground tackle and I’ve had to become quite aware of the weight in the v-birth and on deck. I also have an additional 500’ of line ready for the sea anchor.

I removed both of my anchor rollers and put the small one on the bow and the larger (much heavier) one on the port corner of the stern. In an emergency I can easily deploy the anchor off the stern after running my rode from the bow around the outside of the port stanchions and shrouds, and it gets 75+ pounds off of my bow. The extra weight on the bow was also slowing me down under sail, no me gusta! I like Splendid spritely!

I’m still having problems with my SEA 225 SSB from the lightning. The mic is clipping but I am able to get through and check into the net if I want to.

My beautiful ship is really starting to take shape, and more importantly I am. I wish to “sail far” once again.

The next money I run into (charter/work) is reserved for a haul out and the purchase of a drifter and mizzen stay sail. I HATE having to use the engine as I can’t afford the diesel, I hate the noise & exhaust fumes, not to mention the maintenance costs (filters, oil, & repairs).

The problem here is there is very little wind and I need a solid, light-air sail plan. I’ve contacted Mack sails for a quote to know what I’m looking at. With my new sailing dinghy, and a good drifter & mizzen stay I will be able to sail far on very, very little financial means, and that’s all good Karma!

As I film more of the “Minimalist Sailor”, my path becomes clearer. All of my stress is centered around technology. My laptop & editing computer screens dying, the SSB, and money for diesel. As I get older I will lean more towards the technology of an oil lamp vs. the most efficient LED bulb. When I do the math for new batteries, solar panels, wind generators, smart alternator chargers, solar regulators, SSB’s, VHF’s, refrigeration, water-makers, and all the rest of the technology it blows my mind. None of it has to do with sailing. One strike of lightning and it’s all gone, back to Nature. There is something to be said for the sextant, pocket watch, and candle aboard a sailing ship.

Carla is recording really beautiful music for the film. She plays an electric bass guitar for the opening song, it’s soooo cool!

Sometimes a Kuna comes by wanting to sell a mola, lobster, or fish. The other day a guy came by and asked if he could have a pinch of salt for his dinner, we had salt.

The only sounds we hear are the roar of the surf crashing, the wind, an occasional outboard in the distance, or sting rays jumping out of the water.

The other day an old small helicopter (dome type) came and was buzzing around for an hour. It landed on every sand-spit and small island it could. I can’t tell you how loud and invasive the thing was. Our mood immediately became defensive, annoyed, and on edge. We looked at each other and really understood the importance of harmony and peace with a simple glance. How difficult it is on the human spirit to be so engulfed by technology, noise, pollution, and responsibility?

We are not looking forward to anchoring in Linton. It is such a beautiful anchorage but is rich with busses, trucks, and cars ashore. Loud blaring music from the village, lanchas & jet skis.

I’ve got a notion to sell my outboard, inflatable, and motorcycle when I return to Linton. I love them all but I just yearn for less and less. I want more of the important things in life such as the health doing a fair amount of rowing will bring me.

I am such a lucky man.

Peace from my paradise.

Sail far and live slow.

– alex

Author: Alex

I'm just a sailor bum ;) View all posts by Alex