16th March, 2025

Cruising with Cadenza

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

The sweet scent of sagebrush drifts across the water from land as we leave the Ipala anchorage. It is 0730 and the sky is cloudy and there is little wind. What breeze there is, is cool, a welcome change from the searing heat of Barra.

We tend to have a lot of down time when cruising. Lots of time to gaze over the water, out into the horizon. This is one of those times. Thoughts arise.

It is our latest mishap that comes to mind, when the block on the main halyard broke, and the mainsail fell. I was at the helm. It wasn’t dangerous, just another thing gone wrong. It was the third thing that broke since we left Paradise Village Marina. I wonder, what is it about the number three?

When I was a little girl, I chose number three as my favorite. My friends were picking numbers like 7, 9 and 11. I went with three. Why? Did I instinctively know the power of three? It turns out, I have since learned the number three is applied in many aspects of our lives.

In one of my workshops, I was taught that the rule of three in writing helps people better understand concepts and situations. I have used that rule frequently without ever knowing the significance.

It is also used in design. Groups of three can create a more dynamic and engaging composition. Hmm…I do this in my own home. Instead of one or two hydrangeas, I will put three in a vase. If I place a centerpiece on a table, it will either be one or three objects. Never two. I find this more aesthetically pleasing.

Three represents the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

In numerology, three represents creativity – among other things.

Was I destined to choose three or could it be some other reason?

I look over to Jay who is lost in his own thoughts. “My great Aunt Mary once told me,” I say, bringing him back to the present. “That everything happens in threes. First the gooseneck broke. Then…”

“…the bobstay turnbuckle and fitting broke,” Jay finishes.

“And yesterday the main halyard and block attachment broke,” I continue. “That’s three.”

“So, we’re done?” Jay asks.

“We’re done.”

At 1000, we round Corrientes. To my starboard, a curtain of sunlight slices between the clouds revealing the mountain behind it. To my port, tiny birds try to catch fish twice their size as they jump high out of the water, presumably running from bigger fish.

There is still very little wind. The seas are relatively flat. No washing machine effect. This is the sixteenth time we have rounded the cape, and I don’t think we have ever had such a delightful trip. Maybe it’s nature’s way of making up for the Ipala sleigh ride we had on the way down. Maybe she is enticing us with this fair weather, hoping we will make the journey once again.

Once we are in the bay, it feels like we are almost home. We are not. Banderas Bay is huge. We have another five hours before arriving in the marina. As we get closer, I can see the city of Puerto Vallarta off in the distance. The sound of a plane soars overhead. Boats grow in number. Some are whale watching. Others fishing. Some, like us, are sailing.

We are closing in on our home port as another season of cruising comes to an end. All in all, it has been a good trip. True, it has been challenging at times. Maybe that is part of the attraction. It’s always an adventure that frequently takes us out of our comfort zone. I am forced to be awake in the present moment. It may sound strange, but I feel so alive. I feel a visceral connection to all that I am when cruising across the sea, the wind in my face and the sun’s warmth caressing my limbs.  It’s exciting. It’s fun. It can be peaceful, and sometimes scary. It’s all that and more. It’s sailing and I love it.