| |
Can 'You' Get Away from It All? As you're reading this, there have no doubt been several more breakthroughs in micro, digital, satellite, computer, navigation, and communication technology. Just comparing the capabilities of boat electronics from a couple years ago to those of today, is mind boggling. No longer do things just perform one function, at the touch of a finger you can get it all; speed, depth, position, weather, stock report, and look in on the family and work. So, with all this being done automatically, you can now just sit back and relax, right? Surprisingly, many cannot. Many people are having trouble getting off the "fast track" and just sitting back and relaxing. They must be immersed in everything up to the second or they feel out of touch and left behind. Of course it's understandable, it's probably how they can afford all these nifty toys in the first place. But, now it's time to kick back and enjoy the fruits of their labor. If you bought your boat as a status symbol to flaunt your place in society, then you need read no further. You're where you want to be, mission accomplished. But, if your goal is the realization of the dream of getting away from it all for a while, be it in Puget Sound or across the seas, then it's time to unplug and relax. If you're a one-man-band, it's tough, but usually you can set things up to run smoothly while you're out. You'll be surprised that the world can get along just fine for a few hours, days or weeks without you. Ah, but can you get along with that realization? That's a big point. Don't consider it unplugging from the world but, rather, plugging back into the sights, smells and feel of the physical world of being on the water. You don't have to go cold turkey, you can ease into it. Try it for a few hours, then move onto days, then weeks until you're comfortable being out-of-touch yet in-touch at the same time. You'll no longer choose your destinations depending on whether they have an internet cafe or not. You'll feel better and all around you will get the best gift ever – each other. Of course, it may be even harder, if not impossible, to get the kids to quit texting constantly but it's certainly worth the effort. I know, another touchy-feely, smell the seaweed rant, and none of this applies to you because you only use it as needed when on the boat, and besides, it's the technology that allows people to get out in the first place. If that's truly the case then good on you. Just don't get sucked into becoming someone who "flies all over the world and never leaves the airport." What's the point? |
