Glowing moments

Mauna Kea after this last storm...more snow than Cali! jk.

Alala- the Raven- 66' and 45 tons

40 knot winds. WE are holding on to the railings to get to the bow of the boat so we can have some hope of getting the mooring on with no delay- there are no guests on board, thankfully. The only other crew member on board with me turns and says slowly from the corner of his mouth, "this is going to be hectic." His cigarette glows softly in the wind as we approach the mooring ball. On top of everything else, we have all been on the water for 10 hours straight and it is dark now. Way dark. The captain is standing on the helm steering with his feet so he can see us at the bow and react immediately if something goes wrong. Perfect. We're on the mooring now. The wind is howling and instantly tightens the lines down over the cleats. We're using headlamps. Black diamond saving my behind once again.

We tie the skiff up alongside Alala and shut the boat down for the night. The winds seem to calm down immediately after we set the mooring. Naturally. The clouds are clearing showing Orion's Belt bright above- no better place to stargaze, other than the mountain tops. We are in the skiff and have cast off for the dock. Passing boats on their moorings, all sleeping for the night. Nothing but the light orange glow from the other crew member's cigarette and the stars above to light our path. The sea is calmer now. The three of us traveling in this little boat, all alone, heading home for the night.

I cannot help but feel the magic in this moment. I feel like the whole scene is something out of Pirates of the Caribbean. The soft glow, the dark sea, the silent boats swaying in the night. I'm in a magical place. It's little moments like this that keep me coming back for more. These little moments shared between new friends provide a bond. We all depend on one another to get home safely. The struggles, the epics, the joys and the nerves are all shared between the crew.

Although I am missing my crew back in Santa Cruz, I am enjoying my time spent with this crew for now. They're all nuts too. It's been entertaining- nonstop.

There are little gems everywhere, you just have to dig a little to find them sometimes.

Aloha,

M.