What a Difference a Little Experience Makes!

In early December, we were waiting out some very strong winds in Cayo Costa,
similar in strength to what we're experiencing right now. It's funny how a
little experience makes all the difference in what you experience!

At Cayo Costa, we were worried and at times a bit scared. We didn't have a
clue whether the anchor would hold and if the winds would be too strong for
us to deal with. The wind was howling in the rigging and that kept us awake
at night. It was blowing about 30 knots. We were confined below because it
was cold, cold, cold! We really didn't relax for a minute, but were
constantly tensed for 'something' to happen. We were happy to be on our
way, but overwhelmed by the reality of 'being out there'.

At West Bay, five months later. Steve's lounging around recouperating and
reading up a storm and I'm blogging. We have half an ear listening to the
wind and for the anchor, but other than Steve stepping out on deck
periodically to 'feel' the anchor (resting his foot on the anchor chain to
feel if it is moving along the ocean floor) we're not paying a whole lot of
attention to it. We're not confined below because the enclosure keeps the
wind out, even when it is blowing 30 knots for days. We're paying
attention, but there's no anxiety in the air. During the day, we read,
write, amuse ourselves. At night, we have dinner in the cockpit and when we
go to bed, we sleep deeply.

It's totally different. What a difference a bit of experience makes!