Escape - the 'ism' not the song...

So, the letter E.

My choices were Equator or Escapism.

I have never been to the Equator.

I hear it is lovely.

But, they say write what you know, so it looks like it's Escapism.

Which is okay.

I am an Escape Artist.

the view from Fort Recovery Tortola, BVI

Escapism:

the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy.

I love to escape.

Don't get me wrong, I live a charmed life. But I also work in a rather highly stressful job in a location where the weather is less than ideal, ie – yesterday was 48 degrees which turned into sleet and thundersnow leaving us at a balmy 28 this morning and sliding upwards to nearly 70 tomorrow with a threat of tornados and thunderstorms.

I love a change of seasons too. Especially all in one 72 hour period.

Consequently, a good portion of my free time is fantasizing over Hemingway-esque lifestyles in more temperate climes.

Until we began sailing.

A sailboat is the perfect answer to chronic Escapism.

When you are on a sailboat you can be no where else but in the moment. Everday concerns get left on the shore as you manage the lines and sails and rudder as they interact with the wind.

But that's not the only thing about a sailboat.

As Jack Sparrow says: 'It's more than a 'boat'. It's freedom. Wherever we want to go, we go. That's what a ship is, you know. It's not just a keel and a hull and sails; that's what a ship needs. Not what a ship is. What a ship is, is freedom...'

The ability to climb in and sail wherever you want to go is an amazing feeling.

Granted, our 24 ft fixer-upper on an actual ocean would be a little more excitement than I need, but just knowing she could do it...

You don't even need to have a motor; although even an escape artist considers safety in those fantasies...

try to tell me this view doesn't bring on the wanderlust...
(Florida Bay from our rental boat from Key Lime Sailing Club)

And boy, oh boy, are there fantasies.

Sailing the Mediterranean.

Island hopping.

Cruising the Gulf Coast.

Those dreams are fluid but when it's April and you are riding to work at the butt-crack of dawn in the freezing rain wearing four layers of outerware, which you know you will have to carry home in the 80 degree tornado later....well...

you nearly miss your stop...

But that's okay, the red line ends at the airport...

And in case you were wondering about the title. 

I give you Escape, by Rupert Holmes

This was day 5 of the A to Z challenge. 

A-Ahoy

B-Bells

C-Catamaran

D-Dramamine

If you would like to check out other authors click on the link

a-to-zchallenge.com