Voyage log! Stollen Moments Trawler Tales

The captain of the boat (no I can’t do this myself), is Sean. I met Sean a little over a year ago. We were introduced by my close friends Cynthia and Dan. Sean has been on the water his entire life and so I and the vessel are well cared for. Sean and I have become the closest of friends over the last year. A very odd friendship as our backgrounds and journeys have been so vastly different. I was standing in a burnt-out field looking at all the loss and wreckage. Sean was standing in his burnt-out field looking at all his loss and wreckage at the same time. We have managed to venture out of our fields and have some fun.

So, the journey begins with Captain Sean and first mate Karron on the 42-foot Kadey-Krogen.

Day 1:    Baggage Fees

We are taking off from the Richmond airport on a one-way flight to St. Petersburg on the regional airline Allegiant Air. I love this airline which goes to outskirt airports a few times a week outside of major cities. I used to fly this airline to see my parents and instead of Orlando I flew to Sanford airport on the outskirts or Orlando. A much less hectic experience. Why is it when you get older you like crowds and people less and less. One cannot beat the $55 one-way price; however, the baggage fees will get you. Especially when you are packing your old scuba gear.

Yes – we found the Kadey-Krogen in St. Petersburg. She is a classic trawler and I feel like we are taking over as stewards.  This trawler is like a classic car such as the Ford Mustang. If it is maintained and taken care of, it will hold its value and be around for another one hundred years. Now some people don’t want a classic car, but I prefer the character. This trawler has beautiful wood and is a one of a kind. Some cars depreciate the minute you drive them off the lot and one day end up in the junk yard. The same is true of boats. We intend to maintain this classic, so she is passed on and around for another 100 years.

We looked at several boats in January and then found the “Papa San”. After Sean did a detailed survey and I chatted with the owners we got back in the car and Sean said, “That’s the boat”. I said, “I know.” He knew because it was maintained, I knew because it was Serendipitous due to the owner’s story. Gene and Pat have had her for 26 years. The boat was named after 90-year-old Eugene’s (Gene’s) father who was an ambassador to the Philippines and Japan. He was so well like that they called him “Papa San”. Thus, the name of the boat. When he passed the boat was purchased with inheritance. Well, my loving kind mother just passed after my father, and they were great adventurers and loved the water. For me, I am doing part of the many trips they took on the water. The story of the boat spoke to me. So, here we go ready to dump some bags of retirement money into the ocean to feed the gasoline and marina gods and pray for emergence, transcendence, centering and loads of fun.

I am so looking forward to getting back to the “Berg.” I really liked the city when we found the “Papa San.” It has a good feel and energy. Classic and fun and great walking.