Last week I told you about the Intracoastal Waterway, specifically the bridges. You can see that post here . Today, I want to explain the other sections of this waterway, canals and open water, either rivers or sounds.
On Fawkes, we like the rivers and sounds. Why? Because we can put up a sail, turn off the engine and glide the miles away.
For those who like numbers, here’s a bit of trivia, otherwise you can skip ahead.
• From the start of the ICW in Norfolk, Virginia there are 200 statute miles to Beaufort, North Carolina. That’s where we jump out to sea.
• Most nautical charts clock distance using nautical miles which is 1 degree of Latitude.
• A nautical mile is about 14.2% longer than a statue mile.
• So, the same nautical miles feel like 228 statute miles. Or, it’s faster, passing the miles inside than outside. i.e. 172 nautical miles = 200 statute miles.
• There are a total of 1240 Intracoastal statute miles from Norfolk, Virginia to Key West, Florida.
Whew! Enough already. We like taking the Intracoastal waterway as stated last week for safety, but more importantly, North Carolina is beautiful. We’ve spent more time poking around this year and really sailing the open water. What would have taken us two hours to motor, we’ve sailed in six hours.
Okay, so one more piece of trivia. When we were in a land vessel this summer, we commented how 700 (statute) miles takes us about twelve hours to travel. The same distance under sail would take us six days going non-stop.
Oh, yeah, life on a sailboat takes some patience. You’d think we have all the time in the world and it’s a simpler lifestyle. It is, but you have to remember, Maslow hierarchy of needs. Most of the time, food, shelter in harbors (safety), and basics like laundry take precedence over relaxation. It could take us all day to do laundry, or grocery shop, or find propane for the stove.
But sometimes, there’s that perfect moment that you can turn off the engine, enjoy the countryside pass you by and you understand life is good, really good.
What do you think you’ve taken for granted? Do you begrudge the commute to work? How about a long vacation either by car or plane? How would your life be different if all you had to worry about were the basics?
I DO begrudge the commute to work! and it’s only about 22 min, but every time I see one of those reports on TV of how they’ll design highways so you just have to hook your car up and it will drive itself? I drool. I so want one. I could read, catch up on writing, even iron my shirt for the day if I didn’t have to drive! Sigh…one of these days…….
Hmmmm…I don’t think there is much I begrudge – at least I try to keep the list pretty short. Other than HAVING to work for a living – I’d love to be independently wealthy – most things in my life I enjoy. Same as taking things for granted – I really try not to. I try to focus on staying in the moment, honoring what I love, prioritizing etc. Some days are better than others but when I waiver, I try to get back on the wagon.
Sailing sounds simply glorious – thank you so much for sharing!
Lucky me, my commute to work is 5 minutes or less! I really can’t think of much I begrudge. But shamefully would have to admit I do take some things for granted. My health, my good children and 34 year marriage are a few. It is good to slow down and remember to praise God that Life is Good.
Great post, Nancy. The silence of sailing is only made better with the passage of time. You get to see so much of nature without disturbing the animals.
If we could get back to the basics of life and needs it would not only be more enjoyable but we would safe so much energy we wouldn’t have to suck it from the earth. That’s not likely but there are things we can all do to serve this earth of ours.
As a college student I really appreciate the reference to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. This just made my day 🙂