Good question. One for which I don't think I have THE answer if there really is an answer. I'm quite sure that every cruiser would have a unique answer. In my case, it has nothing to do with challanging myself or trying to prove anything to anybody. I am not trying to escape from anything or prove that I can take on the oceans.

I simply love to sail. I like traveling and to me the best way to travel and see new places is from the deck of a sailboat. Sails are like wings that can take you wherever you want to go.

My first outing by myself was a five day trip to Delaware via the CD Canal. In spite of some apprenhension about going out by myself, that five day trip provided an incredible feeling and a whole bunch of new experiences. Whether on a broad reach down the middle of the Chesapeake at hull speed or motoring through the CD Canal in a cold dreary rain, it was a a totally enjoyable experience. Life is so short that you need to make the most of each day and this seems to work for me. I would not chose to go alone but I can't see letting the fact that I am alone prevent me from enjoying this portion of my life to the fullest. I feel so lucky to be able to pursue this dream.

There is so much of the beautiful side of sailing I have yet to experience - like a sunrise at sea or a tradewind sail under a full moon. There is also the less pleasant side that I have yet to experience such as that first gale at sea or serious equipment failures. You need to be prepared to handle the down side and go on to enjoy the best. Every day is unique as the winds, seas and scenery change.

The following quote pretty well sums it up for me:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Mark Twain