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Sailing
Slower Than a Caveman Rolling Down a Hill
“I will ride my bicycle around the World.” With an audible power, these words drew a fantasy into the realm of possibility.
People wanted estimates, people wanted answers. “What's your plan?” they asked.
“Plan? What plan? I told you – I will ride my bike around the world. That's the only plan.”
The only thing I knew for certain was that nothing is certain. On September 15, 2007, with a bike and a passport, I left my beloved Wisconsin. I went East on two wheels, food for fuel and freedom for breath.
Somewhere past Norfolk, Virginia, I discovered an ocean in my way. “What do I do now?” Deep inside, I knew I wouldn't fly across it. Airplanes are just too damaging to the environment, and besides, they move too fast.
So I went down to the docks to look for a boat.
Ten Different Captains
In 1989/90 I sailed across the Pacific Ocean from Los Angeles to Sydney. Hitching on sailboats is easier than it sounds. I took 10 different boats, mostly on the west coast of the Americas.
Ten different captains and ten slightly different agreements for passage. Mostly, it was berth space, food and passage in exchange for some work around the boat and especially steering and adjusting sales.
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