Charm - Day 8 - giving thanks

As we sat down to enjoy our burgers (beef for most and quinoa for Tim) and hot dogs with sides of mashed potatoes, cranberries and fruit salad (sort of 4th of July meets Thanksgiving), I realized how lucky we are to have Tim and Kent on the boat.

Preparing for and undertaking a trip like this on a boat with a family with 3 children isn't how everyone might choose to spend a month of their lives.

So I'm dedicating this entry to the two of them and hope to give you a sense of how lucky we are to have them on board.

Kent's involvement started more than 20 years ago when he and Joe sailed together in Oregon. Then he and his lovely wife, Heather, hosted us on their boat, Hiatus, while they were cruising in Central America. At some point in the past year, Kent agreed to help us with the crossing. On October 28, he showed up in Las Palmas with a giant cooler, a spinnaker, two alternators, a large bottle of maple syrup, and various other items we had requested.

We know Tim through our climbing gym in Colorado Springs. We helped Tim and his business partner, Will, build the first climbing gym in Ramallah, Palestine, a couple of years ago. Tim told us then that he was interested in doing the trip, despite very little sailing experience. He showed up on November 1, fresh from a climbing trip to Spain.

Both these guys worked virtually non-stop to do repairs, clean the boat, attend lectures, check the rigging, shop for provisions, entertain children, and, in Kent's case, go on a tree-planting trip he hadn't signed up for. Sure, there were a few long walks or runs or workouts squeezed in here and there but mainly it was work. Then we left.

We arrived in Mindelo and did it all again. We had a bit more leisure time there because we had done so much work in Las Palmas but lolling on the beach wasn't ever on the agenda.

On this leg of the race, Tim, Kent and Joe, each take two 3-hour watches during which they are responsible for keeping the boat safely moving forward. Keeping sails trimmed, watching for hazards like squalls, wildlife, or other boats, and being proactive in avoiding problems are all parts of their jobs. When they're not on watch, they still help with sail changes, repairs, hanging laundry, climbing the mast, pitching for rotten-fruit tennis games, or whatever else needs to get done.

Occasionally they get time to nap, and despite small children being very loud outside Kent's window while he was trying to sleep (on numerous occasions), I have not ever heard him complain. Tim hasn't complained either but his window is in a less populated location.

Kent is a talented racer and sailor but he honors the maritime tradition of letting the skipper make the call. Tim spent his first night on a boat on our boat and knew nothing about sailing when he arrived. But he's an extremely fast and willing learner and caught on quickly.

Kent is a rare find because he brings both a wealth of nautical experience and a pleasant personality. I don't think that's normal. Despite having no kids of his own, he puts up with ours remarkably well. He doesn't complain about my cooking, is a good cook in his own right, accepts Joe's decisions with grace even when he disagrees ("He's the skipper") and is infinitely patient in showing me how to do things and gently correcting me when I do them wrong. He is here to support us on this trip and it's amazing to know someone willing to give up a month of their lives to do that.

Tim has also been a great fit. He is a great cook, always willing to help in the kitchen and to pass along his meal ideas. He is privy to more of the weather and strategy sessions with Joe and Kent than I am since they mostly happen while the kids are in school. But he always fills me in later and tells me other bits of advice he picks up. And who else, other than their parents, will tolerate Marin's bottomless desire to talk about all things Harry Potter, Cobin's latest tech infatuation, or Tully's desire for an audience? Tim does, with great patience and humor.

So, this Thanksgiving, as I look forward to another full night's sleep while Joe, Tim, and Kent wearily take their watches, I am thankful for Tim and Kent, for being part of our Charm.