Everybody Needs Goals

It is May, the month of rejuvenation; the world is filled with blooming rebirth and promise. We are diligently working on our goals to begin our year of cruising aboard our Alberg 35, Mystic. Dave scours the internet for information, cruising guides, and safety features to add to our lard. In the midst of all the planning he is trying to finish the garage remodel he started 3 years ago. (I won't even get into THAT.)

Spring in Minnesota

Dave is the keeper of all the planning, purchasing and organizing. I try to help but I'm wrapped up in my own to do list. While Dave is immersed in all things sailing, I am working on the task of zapping bad cells and making my way toward normal. I thought I'd be able to do more while undergoing radiation treatments, including small tasks in the garage that Dave plans for me, but each day brings a new level of exhaustion. Some days I get so much done that I extend my goals for the next day. Some days I accomplish only the trip to St. Paul Regions Hospital and a little knitting.

Navigation Library

Dory helping me knit

Regardless of my energy levels, it's important to set goals. Our major goal is to be ready to leave Knife River for the Bahamas this summer. It's been our dream since we met in 1982. Over the years it sat on a back shelf, a keepsake reminder of the prize at the end of the current priorities of raising kids, paying off our home mortgage and finding a cruising sailboat. We'd bring it out often, dust it off and dream.

Warm cruising grounds

We've learned that the major goals are best met by breaking them into minor goals or baby steps. We've taken a lifetime of baby steps to get where we are! As we move closer to our departure, our goals are more specific. They can be crossed off our list as they are completed. It's funny, though, how that list continues to grow instead of shrink. Dave says we have to be careful not to plan too much so we don't plan ourselves out of the adventure! At some point, it's just going to be time to leave!

Our current list looks a bit like this:

Once we depart on our journey, we will switch to a whole different set of goals. We will forge forward with open minds and adventurous spirits without the baggage of our life on land. Some days, our goal will be to traverse a specific number of miles to get to an anchorage or a marina. Other days, we will focus on exploring a local treasure. We have the luxury of making much of this up as we go! How lucky we are!