Walking down the docks at Palmira, we kept passing a sailboat flying a current 2015 Baja Ha Ha flag. They were from Dana Point, at least according to their boat’s hailing port. So we thought, hey, we should try and talk to them, being former neighbors from Oceanside and all…
A few days later, we caught them dockside and asked about their Ha Ha experience. The ensuing conversation went a little something like this (I’m paraphrasing here…):
Us: Hey, we noticed you were on the Ha Ha! We came down with them last year. How was it for you?
Them: Windy! (…more talking) Hey, what’s your boat name?
Us: Indigo.
Them: Indigo. Indigo. (You could see the wheels turning.) THE Indigo?
Us: (Confused.) What do you mean THE Indigo?
Them: Do you have a blog?
Us: Yes.
Them: Oh, YOU’RE Indigo! We follow your blog! You’re bookmarked!
Us: (Taken aback) Oh wow. Cool! (More conversation.)
Them: You’re an inspiration! Yeah, we figured if they can do it, why can’t we?
Yes, she actually used the word “inspiration”. I got all emotional from their sheer enthusiasm about following the blog and gave her a hug! Thank you for that, Gail. You made my day… my week! I just met a complete stranger cruiser who has bookmarked me! We’re celebrities! (OK, OK, in our own minds anyway.)
Later, we had them over to the boat for beer and fun conversation. Gail and Ron sailed down from their home port in Dana Point with the 2015 Baha Ha Ha on a Catalina 320 “Lokomaika’i”, meaning Amazing Grace in Hawaiian. She is a retired teacher, he a pastor on a one year sabbatical. Congratulations to you both on succeeding in following your dream! Track their adventures at lokomaikai.wordpress.com.
Why the blog?
During our conversation, Gail and Ron asked me why I started the blog. It began primarily as a means for my dad to live vicariously through our adventures. Of all the people I know, he would love this life more than anyone. So I go through a lot of trouble and slow internet to post lots of photos that I know he will appreciate, hence the shells and rocks and ships and sunsets. And because I like that stuff too (which is why we are here).
Now, I write it for our many family members and friends who follow it closely to apprise themselves of our whereabouts… and so they can visualize how we live and what we see as we meander along this adventure. We like showing our nieces and nephew unique items we run into, like starfish and manta ray skeletons. We even have a 2nd cousin (Hi Amy!) who sometimes uses the blog to teach “perspective” to her grade school students! I don’t know how my words could possibly be utilized for that, but I panicked when I found out. Shit, you mean I have to watch my language and subtle references? No, she edits that out. Whew! :)
But this is the first time we have met a fellow cruiser who follows the blog without any connection to friends, family, our old marina or our boat manufacturer. And I was floored and honored to have been considered even a tiny source of motivation for accomplishing their cruising dream. Wow.
THANK YOU!
So… to all of you who read this blog: family, friends, friends of friends, friends of family, marina staff, Pacific Seacraft owners, Ha Ha participants, current cruisers and future cruisers…. thanks for reading. A BIG thanks. You make this blog a worthy task.
And specifically for all you future cruisers: Gail from Lokomaika’i is right… Seriously people, if I can do it, YOU can!