When it comes to May in the Pacific Northwest, the weather is a complete crapshoot. But, here at the Charter Island base, we've had an incredibly nice week. High 60s and even cracking the 70s which I'll take on any May day. For most "normal people", that tells enough of a story. But, here's how I can tell the weather is nice...

As I was starting the day (around 6am), I stepped outside onto the backporch. The sun, while still low in the sky, provided enough light to see everything outside. As with most sunrises, the cool blue tone of the dawning light was crisp and clean with just a wee bit of a chill to it even though the full force of the sun was hitting me directly.

I scanned the area - instictly as if to determine what may have changed through the night - with my first cup of coffee in-hand. I began to turn back inside when I realized... the light, the moment, everything (despite the missing boat!) felt just like the many days I've experienced waking up while anchored on a boat. There's something about staring the new day straight into the eyes, taking a sip of strong coffee, preparing mentally for the day, and getting on with it, all while bobbing a little bit in a slight swell and and listening to the lap of small waves against the hull.

I think it's the still of the morning combined with the color of the new daylight that reminds me of waking up on a boat (the sun doesn't hurt either!). Whether it's been sitting off Raitea, Mayreau, Jost van Dyke, or Orcas Island, the feeling is the same. A precious time when the day and it's stories have yet to be written.

Seize the day. Write interesting stories with your actions. The oppportunity is yours. Get out and do it. And, see you at sunset over drinks in the cockpit.

What's your favorite place to wake up at anchor? The Caribbean? The Med? That one particular harbor, as Captain Jimmy would say?

Tags: sailing, cruising, anchoring, yacht+charter, jimmy+buffet, one+particular+harbor