Nancy's Story - How Nancy Came To Meet Jann & Begin Her Voyage Aboard Saga |
It's the Fall of 1998, Nancy is busy responding to numerous responses to her ad in Latitude 38, (the Bay Area's finest sailing rag.)and on the internet crew listings. She has met many-a-skipper and sailed with most, but so far, no luck finding the "right" situation. She has been very picky in her search and knows what she wants. She makes a last-chance attempt and attends the "Mexico-Only Crew Party" given by Latitude 38. Here, people are seeking the right crew and/or boat to sail down to Cabo with the "BAJA Ha Ha", a cruisers rally sponsored by Lat38. There are many perspective crew seeking boats and a few swamped skippers checking them out. She espies a few men with a small crowd around them and inches her way in. She meets the Captain, Mike Hibbits and crew mate, Jann Hedrick. Later, in line at the bar, she also meets crew members #'s 3 & 4 - Dr..Rich Kerbabaz and Carol Drummond, (friend of Owner/skipper- Mike). They are all there looking for their 5th crew mate. Nancy is up against some serious competition: Kim is a nurse as well as an experienced sailor and looks great in a bikini! There is at least one other prospect. Nancy does her best schmoozing and manages to get a call to join them for a trial-sail on the Bay! She misses some important appointment, and goes sailing on Mike's CT49'-"ORION". It's a beautiful boat and she knows this is the one that will take her on her first offshore cruise. On the test sail, perspective crew mate-Lisa gets sick over the side (good news!) and Kim turns out to be very competent and cute! (Not so good news!) It's a fun sail out The Gate and Nancy gets to be on the helm through some serious traffic as it is opening day of Fleet Week and everyone is out. Mike asks if the gals can be ready to leave in 2 days! None of the gals can. Instead, they can all meet in San Diego for the start of the race! Almost 3 days go by with no word from Mike and since Nancy has been invited to "ORION's" cast-off party, she goes, hoping to make a good last impression! As she walks up to the dock, she is met by Mike and Jann who ask if she received their call. Suddenly, her hopes drop dismally, as she figures that they wanted to give her the bad news via phone before she heads on over! (She had been out all day.) Instead, Jann says, with a great big smile on his face, "We would like to have you join us as our 6th crew mate!" (As it turns out, they couldn't decide between Kim and Nancy, and end up asking both!) The joy is almost indescribable! This is the beginning of something very big, Nancy realizes slowly as it all sinks in. There's alot of preparation before her, just to get away for the 3 weeks. Fortunately, her clients have all known for years of her desire to do just this! They will all understand, just as long as she comes back, they tell her! Off she goes...sailing down the coast from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas. They crew is fabulous, the weather, perfect and the fish, biting and tasty. Each stop offers a different taste of Baja, from village life to beautiful desolate landscapes and crystal clear blue water with dolphins and seals jumping in between boats moored in the harbor. Nancy discovers that Jann & Rich have joined Mike to help him prepare his boat for the race, instead of taking Jann's boat down, due to an engine problem which is now being repaired. Jann and Nancy seem to have much in common, most importantly--their dream to go cruising!! It's amazing, but they are incredibly well matched. (Nancy, having just completed 4 courses in Spiritual Partnerships given by higheralignment.com, knows she has found a rare match! Both are forever saying how lucky they feel, and how great it feels to have met, (was it really by chance?). Now they are making their dreams into reality. So, our story continues... Jann & Nancy are living aboard Jann's 35' Alberg sailboat, preparing both Saga & themselves for the cruising life! |
