Off the grid

I have been off the grid for six weeks, just coming back to “reality.” After Ben’s memorial service, Eric and I escaped to live on our boat in Alaska.

We motored about through the inside waters of southeast Alaska, stopping in the small towns of Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, and spending weeks in Sitka, our boat’s home port. We got to spend time with old friends, and with Eric’s brother and sister, and made some new friends along the way.

But mostly it was time for the just the two of us. Together in a few hundred square feet, we were rarely apart, and didn’t want to be. It was wonderful. We breathed in the sea air, we ate when and what we wanted...or caught...and slept however long we wanted, luxuriating in the slow and easy passage of time on a big slow boat. Everyday was purposeful though, either touring about or, many times (so many times!) figuring out and working on mechanical issues. Eric’s doctoring skills transferred to diagnosing and repairing the inner workings of the boat’s engine and interconnected systems.

We are still raw with the loss of Ben. It’s still hard to believe we are going home and he won’t be there. Sweet Ben. The waves of sorrow crashed over us many times. But when living on the water, you have to get your sea legs. Waves just have to be ridden out. Small swells roll under your hull even at anchor. The big ones you try to steer straight into so they catch you sideways and toss everything around the cabin. In any case, it’s nice to hold on to someone in the same boat.

I am grateful for Eric, who took us away on an Alaskan adventure but always steered us into safe waters and peaceful coves. A fine captain, my anchor as well as home port.

Now on to navigating life ashore.