Mns your post poignantly point out the fralities of the human Spirit and the places it can take someone. BeaarPaw and I have similiar histories and wanderings so to me he seems normal <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Jak, you and I might have crossed circles in my younger days as I did quite a bit of extensive sailing myself. Mostly in New England, Newport RI and the like, but also out of DownEast ME. I started out small and made my way up through the 12 meters, at one point helming the good ship, 'Intrepid', before I called it quits in the racing circles. I match raced DC a few times and even got the best of him once, and a fair number of starts on him too, but alas, it was'nt 'my show'.

It ended with me searching the North Atlantic for a friend, and mentor of mine, named Mike whose boat I helped rig for the 'Around the World Challenge'. After much searching we found the vessel but never recovered his body. RIP Mike, Fair Seas to Thee <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />