Although Colors of the Ocean is fiction, several locations within the story are actual places we visited during our 3-year voyage around the world in our sailboat. As I reread my trip journals and paged through photo albums, it made me realize how important it is to record events in our lives. Those tangible items share details of moments that can spark memories which may be accurate or a bit off the beam. As I wrote my book I found great pleasure in reliving portions of our cruising days, sometimes surprised by things I’d forgotten, and a few times grateful I was no longer going through those experiences!
However, my favorite memories from all those adventures were the people—sailors from all walks of life who became part of our cruising family; and immersion into the cultural diversity of Mexico and each island country. What I loved most about everyone we met was their kindness. We might speak different languages, eat different foods, and dress differently, but we were always greeted with warm smiles. Several times we were invited into a family’s home for a beverage or meal, or to attend their church or local festivities. They loved sharing, no matter how little they had and were content in their quiet, less complicated lives.
Those days that we dwelled among the island people gave pause for contemplation—for what was really important and for our purpose in life. It all really came down to one thing. Love each other. If enough people would do small acts of kindness, we could all make a huge impact in our world.
We can do no great things, only small things with great love
A strange email set in motion an unanticipated journey to Hilton Head Island marina a couple of months ago. In February I received a note from a couple stating they were about to purchase our old boat. They had tracked me down while searching the Internet for info on White Dove. It’s crazy scary what social media can do these days, but in this case they discovered my blog which is a good thing—right?
We landlocked Indiana sailors finally made it to the Atlantic Ocean in May. Actually 3 weeks before that I had enjoyed Pacific Ocean breezes while visiting family and friends in Southern CA. You can never have too much beach time. Any beach, any coast, that’s my motto. I love the crash and swish of waves, scents of the sea, glorious peace that surrounds me at sunset, and of course— seafood! Saltwater runs through my veins as I’ve spent two-thirds of my life living near an ocean. I felt right at home when we set up camp at Hunting Island State Park near Beaufort, South Carolina.
You could easily spend a week here without ever leaving the island. There are 10 miles of easy to moderate hiking and biking trails that wind along a lagoon, traverse maritime forests, and wander through sand dunes where loggerhead turtles were beginning to nest. One of our favorite activities is kayaking and there’s an abundance of nearby coastal lagoons, marshes, blackwater rivers, and swamps to paddle. Be sure to stop by the visitor center where you can have a virtual experience of the island’s historic lighthouse built in 1859. It was destroyed during the Civil War, then reconstructed in 1875. Or you can take a self-guided tour on the grounds of the real structure. To gain info about the flora and fauna of this diverse wonderland visit the nature center located at the fishing pier. Our favorites were white-tailed deer, bottlenose dolphins, and abundant bird life such as painted buntings, egrets, osprey, and eagles. But, beware—there also are alligators and snakes. Not on my Fav list.
The purpose of this trip, however, wasn’t for exploration of an island, but for something we still held dear to our hearts—our old and cherished sailboat, White Dove which we sold in 2003. It not only served as our home for 10 years, but also as our mode of travel that blessed us with 3 years of cruising several of the earth’s oceans. We gave this special friend our blood, sweat, and sometimes tears and in return she gifted us with life experiences far beyond our expectations.
We developed an instant connection with Matt & Kayla DeVito, her new owners. Although they bought Unless, WD’s new name, for $1, they face countless hours, months, and probably years of challenging work as they repair, restore, and make her their own. Their first job entailed pulling out bags of trash along with rotten food, rodent carcasses, and alien mold forms. They also replaced several ancient thru-hull hoses that threatened to sink their new purchase.
Our time together forged a bond with this enterprising couple who is half our age , yet we share so much in common. Matt and Jerry are both mechanical geniuses who can fix or build almost anything, love woodworking, and all things boats. Kayla and I are creative beings. She’s a talented oil painter who also shares her artistic gift by teaching others. Although I’ve dabbled in oils, my passion is writing and I’m endeavoring to publish my first fiction novel about, you guessed it, sailing! All four of us love the sea, traveling to seek new adventures, and we seem to thrive on challenges.
What was my first reaction to our reunion with WD? Tears of disbelief. Sadness as my eyes surveyed this abandoned yacht. Was this really the same boat we’d sailed around the world and shared so may joyful and occasionally difficult times? At first unrecognizable, soon certain details emerged, and with it a flood of memories. The bowsprit Jerry had sprawled across during our rescue off New Zealand and the Monitor windvane, another part of that same story that you can read about in a previous post. In the cabin below all the varnished custom woodworking had severe water damage except a glass door etched with a dove. It had somehow survived and shone in the shadows. It all felt familiar and foreign at the same time. Melancholy yet joyful.Peace and hope flowed through me as I visualized the transformation of this precious sailboat into an art studio and work of art as its new owners pursue their dreams.
A portion of our legacy is being preserved through this next generation of sailors as we witness this ugly duckling emerge into a beautiful new bird. Watch as dock lines are cast off, sails are raised, and the DeVitos embark on their own life adventures, wherever the winds and currents may carry them.
For more information and updates on Kayla & Matt DeVito visit their Instagram at living.devito.loca.
cheryldfitzgerald.com 