Today was not a day for sailing. The route of the day was chosen in part to stay away from fog that enshrouded some of the islands. It wasn’t only the foggy places, however, that were becalmed. In the late morning we raised sails in hopes of rising wind, but the wind did not come. We motor sailed for a while and then furled the sails once again.

Despite the romance of a sailing ship we really have not been able to sail very much. In former days a ship like this would have been forced to wait. Sailing, like many other things in life, teaches and favors patience. In the middle of the afternoon we dropped anchor in a bay of Stuart Island. The dinghies were lowered and gave rides to the island where we walked across to the other side to visit the Turn Point Light Station. The light continues to guide mariners skirting the line between Canada and the US. It is an automated light station, so there is no resident in the keeper’s house and no mules in the barn. However, the station buildings are maintained by a historical society and are beautiful and fun to visit.

Also notable on the island is a small area with chests of souvenirs including shirts, hats, postcards, stickers, and more. The “shop” operates entirely on the honor system. Each item is packaged with a return envelope for the customer to mail payment when back at home.

Because one of the authors on our cruise has a character who grows up on a remote island in the San Juans, I have been thinking what it might be like to live in such a place. A remote island is very different from a remote place inland. I am attracted to remote locations, but have not chosen to live in those places. I enjoy visiting and would enjoy a multi-day opportunity to explore the island. It is not, however, a place for me to live.

Our conversations with authors have been rich. Tonight they spoke of the craft of writing and publishing. I have learned to think of myself as a writer, even though little of what I write has been published.

I may not be an author. I am not at present, prepared to do the tasks of assembling and editing books.

Tomorrow er return to port and back to our regular lives. I want to reflect on how the experience of being unplugged has been, but it is too early for that reflection right now.