Gary' s Goodbye & Night Crossing

We motored South down the Inter Costal Waterway about 24 miles to Clearwater yesterday. There is a lot of activity here because of the Super Bowl being played close by in Tampa this Sunday. A lot of big yachts are starting to arrive here for the rich & famous. The largest we have seen so far is the "Big City" a new Trinity 140 foot motor vessel that charters for $195,000 a week. The delivery crew was working on it all day (cleaning & polishing) and we are anxious to see who the special guests will be tomorrow. Weather is warm (high 70's) and very pleasant. We enjoyed a morning walk on the beautiful white sand beach of Clearwater and a fun dingy ride to town to do some needed provisioning. We will be staying here for a few days while our wives (Susan & Linda) are traveling from the North country to join us. We miss them a lot and are looking forward to our reunion with them this Friday.

Today our dear friend and Poet Laureate sailor, Gary Gaudreau departed Northern Light and is heading back home to Michigan. We are sad to see him go. Before he left, he was inspired to write another great poem about our perfect night crossing of the Gulf of Mexico a few days ago. We would like to share it with you and hope you enjoy as much as we did!

Night Crossing

On a warm winter morn in St Joe Bay

Northern Light caught the tide running out for the day.

She fetched her marks on the rollers with ease,

Gently turning to course, softly kissing the seas.

We three that sailed her, she knew of our dream,

Of a swift sea voyage, fifteen knots on the beam.

So she served up a ride, the best I think now,

With dolphins and sea birds swiftly passing our bow.

Now light fading fast, we’ve sailed well all day,

Crossing the Gulf toward Anclote Island’s bay.

Northern Light knows our needs, she coaches us on

Thru a sea of stars, brilliant sunrise at dawn.

We’re tired and damp but our spirits renew

Over praise for the yacht and her love for the crew.

Sailing on to the docks, we’ve seen many great things.

Raising our Margaritas, three embrace Tarpon Springs.

Gary T. Gaudreau

1/27/2009 1500 Hours

Gulf of Mexico at Tarpon Springs, FL aboard Northern Light

"Today we sail the Gulf"

“Today we sail the Gulf”, the words have been spoken.

With calm anticipation she slips her dock before day has broken.

On a calm bay at dawn with an outgoing tide Skipper sets her course for the magical ride.

Northern Light has surrendered her soul to the three that will guide her to a new port on the sea.

Learning these waters for the very first time reminds one to respect the sea, wind and brine.

The sea can be calm or a desolate place, a graveyard of ships from the old human race.

With a face like a mistress, or hard, wrinkled white while deep in its heart there is no light.

But today all is well and fresh for the three, as their spirits have brought them here to the sea.

With their minds full of wonder, they’ve left the fair shore to dance on the waves with their ship once more.

Again deep love for the water is unbroken.

“Today we sail the Gulf!”, the word has been spoken.

Gary T. Gaudreau

1/22/2009 1300 Hours

Gulf of Mexico near Panama City, FL aboard Northern Light