Lazing Along a Low Road
Luckily we lost our way
Ah, you take the High Road, And I'll take the Low;
And I'll be in Scotland a'fore ye.
Scot’s Traditional
Article by Dave Zeiger
Anke and I have chosen the Low Road through life.
The High Road (the one I started out along) entails an education, embarkation upon a career… the vicious cycle of dues, debt and upward mobility. As a reward I am entitled upon retirement to Reap the Benefits. Spend in the Sun as many of my Golden Years as are left me. Since I dream of boats, I might even be entitled to a modest yacht.
Luckily, we lost our way.
There's another path. Jump the tracks! Build or buy a solid vessel. Nothing fancy, mind you; after all, we can't afford much on a few months wages. Something that will get us on the water and keep us there for next to nothing.
Now we've got time every day to learn how to make this work. Time to sail full, and by the wind's whim. Time to fish. Time to learn which weeds are not only edible, but delicious. Time to learn where fruit ripens. Time to start a guerrilla garden, or several, in select and empty corners.
Time to brew some wine! Will it be a French vintage, aged to perfection in a dusty cellar? Nope. The Low Road affords Low Pleasures, more satisfying than those that may be purchased. It might be a young, skunkberry wine (ribes bractiosum) – a boatjolais—consumed after only primary fermentation. But sip it with one you love, aboard a vessel built with your four hands, looking out upon Paradise... what does the High Road offer that could compare?
Time to read, to ponder, to make music, to make love!
A cartoon: In the foreground of a busy freeway, a car is pulled off and into the weeds, tracks overgrown. A chimney has been installed and a fire kindled. Its owner, now a robed and bearded pilgrim, takes his ease in its opened door. He speaks with a passing pilgrim, garbed in kind. Says he, "One day, on my way into the City I thought to myself, What's the point?"
What is the point? What will we do with our One, Precious Life? How many Carpe Diem T-shirts before we finally seize the day? Freedom and philosophy, the pursuit of happiness and the wide horizon; they won't be found on the air, at the mall, or on board a yacht that cost us half our life our afford.
Go Low, my friends! Cultivate a taste for small pleasures. Let go of style and elegance. Trade 'em in for plain and homely. Fundamentals for flash is a great bargain.
The World awaits! •SCA•
This is the story of many in our small-craft tribe: We followed the High Road for years, did okay or better, rarely questioned our choices, bought bigger boats and loved them…but at some point reversed course. Recalling youthful adventures in small craft, and seeing potholes along the High Road we slowly downsized, simplified, and understood we could be happier with less—maybe a lot less. And as a bonus, we can today afford the small-boat life deep into retirement, slowing everything down as we circle toward final approach. There’s nothing wrong with either choice, but I feel richer than ever with only boats in the bank.
I have successfully split “the Roads”…raised kids, invested a bit…ALWAYS spent less than I made…retired early (because I could!)….spent most all of my life on “the Low Road”……simply messing about in boats & RV’s….early into my 80’s and still do’in!! So many boats, so little time left!