Building Gypsy Rose

 During the winter months sailors who live aboard in northern latitudes have three choices. Sail south to warmer waters, rig the boat to survive while iced in, or put the boat on the hard while wintering on land. Family ties and my love of four seasons are two primary reasons why I haul Raven during the winter. Winter living ashore was the primary reason for the Gypsy Rose project. When the days grow short, the snow falls and the waters ice over, I nestle in.

While ashore, the water is never far away, though. If I can’t be afloat, I pass many a winter’s hour reading the stories of those at sea. Last winter I happened across a remarkable story of a remarkable woman on a remarkable journey. When I picked up the story, Donna Lange was closing in on Cape Horne and the final leg of her 32,000 mile solo-journey. Aboard her 28-foot Southern Cross, Inspired Insanity, Donna was about to do something many hardy sailors dream of but few muster the courage to try – sail around the world, alone, via the Southern Capes.

In April of 2007, on the final leg of her circumnavigation, Donna ran into a strong nor’easter west of Bermuda. I received an email (below) from Donna, asking if I would be willing to relay weather information to her as she sailed from Bermuda to Rhode Island.

 “Hi Kevin.  gillian emailed your particulars on to me.  I have been, as you know, so so so frustrated with trying to get useful information and accurate data.  the weather fax picts are just sketchy to me... I was having trouble reading them. They just weren't the best copy... and the boat is in mayhem. not easy to get the gear out and get the faxes... I should be ready to head out the first few days of May and would love your input...mostly simple concepts of what will be there.  I am not looking forward to beating to wind the whole way but unless i come up with some southerlies, it will be a tough and slow road to RI.  thanks. keep in touch. please..  thanks xoxoxo d”

 As the storms raged on, Donna and I exchanged mail. I pulled together weather data, Gulf Stream flows, and Donna’s daily position reports. Mixing personal experience of weather and water with the synthesis, I sent a series of emails to Donna with my analysis of what to expect. In the end, however, I was snug on land while Donna was taking the brunt of the storms I was writing about. On May 16th of 2007, pushing on through conditions of those late winter nor’easters, Donna arrived in Bristol, Rhode Island on the remnants of a gale. Well done, Donna.

Donna is wintering in Florida this year, managing the refit of a 51-foot sailboat, but she traveled north to share the holidays with her daughter and grandchildren in Cambridge, New York. While there, she drove north to Vermont for a visit. Finally, we had a chance to meet in person.

With only a few hours to spend together, there was so much to talk about but not enough time. I treated Donna to apple-cinnamon pancakes while she showed me that my guitar is capable of beautiful music – in the right hands. (Donna is an accomplished musician who has performed in ports around the world.) We then headed to Mount Philo for a local favorite winter ritual - a hike to the top of the bluff rewarded with a fast sled ride down.

So, what happens when a woman who’s taken on the southern ocean seats herself on a Mad River Rocket sled in Vermont? Smiles! Big smiles!

It was wonderful having you here, Donna and we wish you the very best as your journeys continue.

* Above photos of Donna aboard Inspired Insanity taken by Billy Black (www.billyblack.com), as Donna made landfall on the Rhode Island coast – May 2007.