Behind the Blog: Karma Wheel

The Kindness of Strangers

We started writing this back in DC, but didn't get a chance to publish it then....

This morning as we prepared to walk about 6 blocks or so to the nearest Safeway for provisioning, we happen to run into Tom from the Yacht Club who graciously handed Pat the keys to his spare car.

It was the latest of MANY examples of the kind of kindness that has made our trip so great. Pat calls it the "Karma Wheel".
Whatever it is, it's great.

We've been meaning for a while now to make a list of thank-yous to those we've met along the way who have made our trip that much nicer through their kindness; here goes:

Donna at Spicer's Marina in Noank, CT who answered countless questions, helped us with mail, including a piece that somehow got mailed to her house, and even offered to deliver a guidebook to us in Block Island at the start of her vacation.

Marcelle at Spicers who continues to be the guy to call if Pat has questions about the engine or most anything mechanical. We once reached him by cell phone 2 miles off the coast of NJ when the engine overheated.

The Sotheby's real estate broker who picked Pat, Drew & Jake up on the side of the road in Mystic, CT, in his BMW because they were hauling 2 propane tanks on foot and apparently looked tired.

Bill & Grace Luddy who loaned us their Block Island mooring for a couple of days until we could get a town rental during the busy 4th of July week.

The lobster lady in Cuttyhunk who did everything from selling us excellent lobster to giving the kids free bait, helping me find a doctor on the island, and connecting us with the ferry boat owners so we could get our mail. She was a peach!

Audrey, Jake's visiting nurse in Martha's Vineyard, who was willing to meet us at the dock and drive us to her office, delivered medication (and candy) as needed - also garden-fresh tomatoes - and showed a genuine concern for Jake and our family.

The children's librarian in Vineyard Haven who made our family feel so very welcome at the local library and ensured that the kids could complete their summer reading program and get prizes.

The lady at Murdock's Fudge who gave Drew an extra chunk (a piece the size of his head) of fudge for being so polite when he claimed his summer reading program prize.

Joe from Onward who we met in Nantucket and again in Baltimore. He invited us aboard, showed us wonderful hospitality and even offered to babysit!

Nick, the Enterprise Rental car guy in Essex, MD, who hooked us up with a really great parking spot in the Inner Harbor and gave us great advice about visiting his hometown.

The marina owner in Middle River, MD, who drove me to get propane on a Sunday afternoon because it was too far to walk. She wanted to be sure the kids wouldn't go hungry! I did have to wait a few minutes for her - she had to help a pair of 90+ year-old sailors dock their boat. (Their 87 year-old buddy who normally takes care of them wasn't able to join them that day!)

Captain Ray in Solomons Island, MD, who helped us dock, then took Drew to his boat to make him a really great handmade fishing lure.

Jim at the Capital Yacht Club who gave the boys both Navy "challenge coins" and explained the military tradition behind them. This after playing about a million games of ring toss with them! He gave Emily a lovely White House Christmas ornament, as well.

Cheryl, also at the Yacht Club, who gave Emily a guardian angel figurine because she reminded her of her daughter at the same age.

Chris who gave us a tow and some gas when our dinghy tank ran dry in the Washington Channel.

Our friends on Cambria who fill us with great advice and good counsel everytime we cross paths. (They've been cruising for somthing like 11 years now!)

The park ranger at the Jefferson Memorial who took the sign that read "ranger talks on request" very much to heart when asked.

Sue & David, who crew for a super yacht and let Drew work with them on the boat for a few hours.

(Since D.C.)
Peter near Colonial Beach on the Potomac who came out to greet us the morning after we’d anchored there. He took pictures of our boat, then gave us a great tip on where the kids could find shark teeth on a nearby island.

The ladies at the Portsmouth Visitors' Center who taught us everything we needed know about the area, from where to get a haircut, to great pizza, to special Halloween opportunities for the kids.

Derek at the Aurora Lumber Co. who let Drew "drive" the fork lift and taught him about safety around such equipment.

Angie and Mike with whom we shared an anchorage near Camp Lejune. They invited us over for an afternoon of great conversation and shared some really good insights about the Bahamas with us since they've made the trip before.

Gary at the Southport Marina in North Carolina who gave Pat a ride into town when our propane tanks had run dry.

Lee here in Charleston, whom we met on the pier yesterday. He taught the kids all about fishing for sheepshead with fidler crabs as bait.

I'm sure we've left someone out. We've certainly left out all the non-strangers: Uncle Jeff for storing our stuff and getting us started with transportation and more. Cousin Lidwin & family for making our Hudson River stay so great, including loaning us a car and feeding us well. Sergeant Manny for the police escort.

The Keims for serving as our official post office and link to all things Portland. The Gazeleys for a life raft we hope to never use. The Hallings for being great neighbors even from afar. Mr. Finch for serving as Jake's and Emily's "virtual" teacher this year. And of course all our office friends and colleagues.

Grandma Janet for the cool Halloween costumes which saved the kids from whatever do-it-yourself model mom & dad might have managed to come up with for them.

Duane Link who is taking care of our house while we're gone and making it very easy and worry free to be away.

We very grateful to all. And as for the Karma Bank, we can only hope we've deposited as much as we've withdrawn... we're trying to!