Wondertimers in Moorea (Photo by Tucker Bradford, S/V Convivia)
A year ago today, we woke up at anchor off Hope Island, our first stop after departing our former home of Olympia, Washington. This morning, we woke up at anchor 4000 miles away, in Cook’s Bay, Moorea.
What a year this has been.
Departure day, 29 June 2011
We spent some time tonight looking back at some of the photos from a year ago. I was taken aback at how young the girls look. Holly has grown from a toddler to a busy, funny, imaginative little girl who absolutely adores her big sister. Leah especially has changed to me; her 6-year old self is so much more mature, more wise than the 5-year old we left with. The more she discovers about this world we are traveling through the more she wants to learn about it. We keep lists of things to look up on Google when we are away from the internet. She has struggled with the goodbyes that come with this life, trying to make sense of why we should leave such good friends behind. It used to take a while for her to warm up to new people but now she can make a fast friend in a heartbeat and strike up an interesting conversation with just about anyone. She adores her little sister, too.
Only time will tell how this journey will truly affect the girls, all of us, in our futures. We get clues every now and then as to how this time of traveling on the sea, seeing all the different – and similar — ways people live and speak, is shaping how they see the world.
Sailing on our way to Tahiti from the Tuamotus Holly asked me: “Mama, when are we going to be home?”
“What do you mean?” I asked her, a little puzzled.
“What I mean is, when are we going to be anchored?”
I realized that Holly, at 3, has already learned the lesson that it’s taken me 37 years to learn: that home is wherever the people who love you are.
Our current home, Cook’s Bay, Moorea
Sara, your adventures are so wonderful and interesting. I love reading them and following you and your family’s adventures. I thought ya’ll were from Seattle but now I see you are from right here in Olympia. Be safe on the water and hope the rest of your journey is as wonderful.
Hi Preston– I’d been meaning to reply to your other comment; yes, we are from Olympia! Michael went to Tumwater HS. We met in Seattle and lived there until 6 years ago when we moved to Olympia. Lived aboard at Swantown the year before we left. Miss it a lot — still our favorite town! Thank you for your kind thoughts, so glad you are enjoying our stories. -Sara
I’m so glad that we’ve been able to spend many of those 365 days with you four!
Great experiences for your kids, hope they remember it for a long time to come. You have taught them what parents can do it in a lifetime.
Great retrospective look at the year that was. As a father of three young sailing daughters, I’m always curious to read about how your travels, adventures and new “homes” impact your young daughters. As always, thanks for sharing.
This post actually made me tear up – isn’t it strange how voyaging is transforming all of us? Reading your blog – we are leaning more and more toward the South Pacific next year (fingers crossed) – In the meantime, sending you hugs from the Sea of Cortez! And congrats on your 1 year anniversary – ours is not until Sept. 6! xo The Nyon crew