The next morning I was surprised to read an email from them inviting me to visit their 49ft sailboat harbored in San Rafael. Seizing the amazing opportunity, I rode around for the day exploring the coastal area around Mt Tamilpais, visiting REI and eventually grabbing some beers and parking behind their dock. Dave and Candy greeted me with warm conversation and a connection of stories and adventures amassed over a life of travel and exploration. We stayed up late into the evening discussing all manner of stories and a life lived outside of "the box". Their unconventional lifestyle and willingness to host me reflect the zeal and mindful enthusiasm they have for life. Falling asleep aboard their sailboat, I smiled as the sounds of motors and faint underwater noises worked through the fiberglass vessel. "I've never slept on a sailboat before", I thought as I drifted to sleep.
Carefully climbing into the cockpit, one puts this aircraft on rather than hops inside. It reminded me of entering my old Triumph Spitfire with just barely enough room between the dash and the footwell to fit a pair of boots in. Once buckled in, he proceeded to continue his preflight checks and finally fired up the engine letting it idle until warm.
Thank you. Till we meet again.