#10. You should take a break and go sailing in AnaCortez.

Author

Uki D. Lucas
May 13, 2024

Dear Friend

I fell in love once again, this time with AnaCortez.

This is the first time I have visited AnaCortez. Yes, AnaCortez is written as one word, and it is not a female character, Ana Lucia Cortez, from the show Lost, which I also like a lot.

Fidalgo Bay, Hat Island, Mount Baker, my dream schooner

AnaCortez is a boating town located at the gate of the San Juan islands. The town is all about the sea: ships, fishing, crabbing, and sailing. As you can see in the photo above, the views of the volcano, Mt. Baker, and surrounding islands are quite stunning. You can read about AnaCortez's namesake in the link below. It is quite unexpected.

I used to sail a lot when I was younger, but life took a dry path for quite a few years. Since moving here to Washington, I wanted to return to the hobby.

I was very uneasy about my sailing skills, especially because the Pacific Northwest (PNW) has killer whales, killer currents, and killer tides, whereas we had none of these in the Great Lakes. I decided to take classes with the American Sailing Association (ASA). I took this class once years ago in Chicago, and it was good.

Cap Sante Marina. Cap Sante, in French, means “Cape Health.”

The class and the whole weekend were great!

The instructor reviewed the prescribed book material and we went sailing.

We did not encounter any killer situations; on both days, we felt comfortable and safe, which gave me confidence that I could sail here. We saw a pod of harbor porpoises (similar to dolphins, or rather, baby orcas).

We got our “sea legs” on the first day with typical sailing drills. The second day was a real blast! We practiced the Man Over Board (MOB) drills, which felt like a game. It was much more fun than many “beer can races” in my past. The instructor, Captain Nick, would throw a buoy overboard, and we had to make a figure-8 turn around and fish it out. Doing this maneuver in a lively 12 to 15-knot wind was exhilarating.

You need to put yourself into new situations and have new experiences. This weekend, I experienced something I could have only dreamt about before. I am thankful for that. I made new friends, my shipmates, who are very smart and genuinely good people. I am thankful for that, too.

Captain Nick, a wonderful person, does not sponsor me, but I had so much fun that I wholeheartedly recommend you take a vacation in the San Juan islands and take the class. Your life and your priorities will never be the same again. Summer in Washington is absolutely beautiful.

It is a family-operated business.
Call 360-299-0777 or email Seattle Yachts Sailing Academy
[email protected]

That is all for tonight.
If I get positive feedback, I will write much more about sailing.

While driving, AnaCortez is about 1.5 hours from my home; I listened for the fourth (4) time to Mark Manson’s “The Subtle Art of..” This was the first Audible book I listened to. Now, some 660 audio titles later, it is still a pivotal book in my library. I do worry about too many things, but about that later.

Oh, do not be like me; use sunscreen. I burned crispy red!

Respectfully,

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“A compendium of letters blending technology startup management, stoic philosophy, active lifestyle ethos, and a love for culture. It aims to mentor and inspire through insightful content and practical advice, focusing on personal and professional growth for a balanced and fulfilling life.”

~ Uki D. Lucas

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References

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