An epilogue is the concluding piece to a story, and this is just that for the blog of the SV Alleluia's Journey South.
In the last installment, we had turned north on our final leg of the journey up the west coast of Florida, destination: Gulfport, Fl.
Our green crew didn't turn green, even though we had our share of rollers on the Gulf. The final 150 miles gave our adventurers a bit of everything. A storm, a sunset and an overnight sail that served up a moon rise, star show and sunrise.
A frequent word used by commenters on my Facebook page regarding this trip was that they were 'envious' of us for this experience.
And although the pictures and the written word don't quite do justice to the discomforts and the anxieties that are a part of any kind of risk like this, what is to be envied is the extraordinary opportunity I had to be with five of the smartest, funniest, engaging people I know in an environment very few have the chance to experience.
The newsroom editor in the group got a chance to get to know one of the most prominent elected officials from Iowa, and a true leader of progressive causes, in a way I wish everyone could.
If they did, they'd understand why in 1992 I left one of the most coveted jobs in journalism as a columnist for The Des Moines Register to work on his quixotic presidential campaign. Even though it was short-lived, and the next couple years of my own career re-invenetion were monumentally challenging, I'd do it again.
You learn a lot about people when they show up on a long cruise.
Arrogance can be deadly.
Collaboration, skill, mutual support, proactive action and a sense of humor, make for a safe and pleasant journey.
Alleluia was truly blessed to have such a crew on both legs of her voyage.
And, the captain sets the tone.
Richard William Gilbert has a quiet competence that inspires trust. He teaches by example and by respecting what everyone brings to the table. The preparation that went into this before anyone stepped aboard was extensive, with safety being the Number One priority. Underway he made everyone a full participant and yet always kept an eye open for rookie errors (of which I continue to make many).
To be married to this guy is truly enviable and if I could wave a magic wand and give everyone the gift of having someone like this in their lives, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
If this blog helps inspire any of you to take on a new challenge, as a couple of you have eluded to, that unintended consequence would be truly gratifying.
If you simply followed along for the fun of it, great.
Your emails and comments were of surprising comfort on those nights when we were inside a tiny speck of fiberglass, propelled by pieces of canvas, and when land was no where in sight.
So, thank you.
The End
