As I’ve discussed before, running a small business that promotes a vacation-minded lifestyle and the spirit of escapism often results in me needing an escape from the very business that that promotes escapism. Yes, it’s ironic, don’t ya think?
The one thing that lets the world slow down around me, worries slip away and stress suddenly subside, is sailing.
I’m still a newbie. I didn’t take up sailing until moving to Traverse City about 6 years ago. Thanks to my good buddy Capt Dave at Bay Breeze Yacht Charters and Sailing School, sailing has become an integral part of my lifestyle and an ‘escape’ that is hard to explain unless you’ve had the opportunity to do some sailing yourself. I never quite understood the obsession people had with sailing until I did it…then I was hooked.
Therapeutic. That’s the one word that best describes it for me.
Charles sums it up perfectly with his answer to what Snoloha means to him:
“Escapism” is what is means to me.
From Wikipedia;
“Escapism is mental diversion by means of entertainment or recreation, as an ” escape” from the perceived unpleasant or banal aspects of daily life. …”I put on my Snoloha gear and head to the boat. No worries, no cell phones, no emails…etc. Just me and the sea. It’s a time to slow down and enjoy the moment. We rush around while at work, heads down, trying to get through the day without anymore obligations being heap on us at the job. If people only knew that we looked forward to the tedious jobs of varnishing, polishing bright work, and stowing lines properly, they would think us crazy. But while doing this, all the problems and deadlines at work fade away and we have one simple goal….get out on the water, raft up with good friends, get an adult beverage in your fist, and enjoy the sunset.
We are anticipating launching the boat this week and squeezing in a March sail…then she’ll be in the water hopefully until December again.
If you are in the Traverse City area this Spring, Summer or Fall…there’s a good chance the Snoloha Sailing Yacht (it’s not really a yacht, it’s only 23′ long…but saying “yacht” feels cool) will be dockside at Bay Breeze or somewhere on the West Bay. Stop by for a sail…or to buy a t-shirt!
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