How lovely this essay is. I've never thought about a distinction between land and sea nomads. In my mind, it's been Live Aboards and Nomads. Thanks for twisting the view.
Thank you Chris! This was a fun one to write and that Adam Johnson book was a lovely point of view.
The Captain and I were just saying how the term ‘live aboard’ doesn't fit. It connotes those who park themselves on a boat in a marina, much like a floating trailer park. We keep moving, as full time sailors, and lately I've come to like water dwelling nomads.
This weeks letter exchange with Nicola from GlobeFoxing dives deeper into this topic. You will like it.
As soon as I started reading and came across the magnificent watercolors, it took me one second to subscribe!
"When they left to go on a voyage, the people on land said, “You must go”.
The navigators response was, “And you remain.”
For anyone who has dreamed of living on a boat of any kind (on a shoestring) this is a must read.
At least now I can live vicariously by reading Shellphone Chronicles. If I had a partner who could live like this, I would sell everything and take to the water. I've dreamt of it since I was a child. But commitment and duty call, so it appears "I must remain". For now.
Wow! What a beautiful note to read on a sunny Sunday morning at anchor in Lami Bay on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. Thank you a million times for making my day @Waving From A Distance . I’m thrilled that you can live vicariously through my writing, and I’m happy to have you on board as a virtual crew member of SV Duende. I hope you continue to enjoy the adventure. Thank you for reading.
Looking forward to every post and all your art work. I paint, but not like you! I could live inside your watercolors. I am going to look up Lami Bay. Who knows, maybe some day …
I love this for many reasons, Linda. The paintings, the use of quotes & someone else’s ideas about the thing you’re experiencing, and then your unique experience itself — very cool storytelling.
I had so many lightbulbs go off, too, about how different we are from others in how we look at change. Such a dirty word! But I think what you’re doing is making it more accessible for folks.
My hope is that people reading your work aren’t just entertained (though they should be), or not necessarily inspired to become a sailing nomad themselves (though they may), but that they adjust their relationship to change. To me, it’s the highway to a better life.
I'm so happy that this resonated for you Cory. We are different - thank goodness! I celebrate that. But it is lovely to think that through our example we may just make it easier for others to consider changes - big or small.
Truly wonderful writing, my friend! Love the melding of past and present into a well described continuum. Looking forward to the next time we get to hop aboard for a spell.
This is stunning, Linda — the way you weave ancient wayfinders, modern nomads, and your life aboard Duende into one continuum. I especially loved the idea that the ocean is both parent and teacher, and that “home” can be something that moves with you rather than a place you return to.
As land-based slow travelers, we relate to pieces of this — that feeling of drifting away from a fixed home, that sense of being shaped by weather, seasons, and the quiet rules of nature. But what you describe here… it’s a different frequency entirely. Water-dwelling nomadism feels like the purest form of freedom — and the deepest form of remembering.
Your line about arriving at a speck of land after crossing thousands of miles? That gave me goosebumps.
Thank you for taking us into that world. Every time I read your work, I feel a little more connected to the wider map of how humans have always moved — by wind, by instinct, by story.
Sail on, fearless crew — and get that fishhook pendant!
Sweet writings, wonderful philosophy and lifestyle bathed in freedom, which I can totally relate to. . . Really like your watercolors too. Beautiful. . . Thanks Linda. . . Blessings. . .
While I truly enjoyed the essay, it’s the water colors that caught my imagination… so beautiful Linda. Thank you for sharing. (I especially loved the night sky ❤️)
How lovely this essay is. I've never thought about a distinction between land and sea nomads. In my mind, it's been Live Aboards and Nomads. Thanks for twisting the view.
Thank you Chris! This was a fun one to write and that Adam Johnson book was a lovely point of view.
The Captain and I were just saying how the term ‘live aboard’ doesn't fit. It connotes those who park themselves on a boat in a marina, much like a floating trailer park. We keep moving, as full time sailors, and lately I've come to like water dwelling nomads.
This weeks letter exchange with Nicola from GlobeFoxing dives deeper into this topic. You will like it.
I look forward to it.
Great read. Thanks for the book recommendation as well.
Hope you enjoy the book!
As soon as I started reading and came across the magnificent watercolors, it took me one second to subscribe!
"When they left to go on a voyage, the people on land said, “You must go”.
The navigators response was, “And you remain.”
For anyone who has dreamed of living on a boat of any kind (on a shoestring) this is a must read.
At least now I can live vicariously by reading Shellphone Chronicles. If I had a partner who could live like this, I would sell everything and take to the water. I've dreamt of it since I was a child. But commitment and duty call, so it appears "I must remain". For now.
Extraordinary life and creative work!
Wow! What a beautiful note to read on a sunny Sunday morning at anchor in Lami Bay on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. Thank you a million times for making my day @Waving From A Distance . I’m thrilled that you can live vicariously through my writing, and I’m happy to have you on board as a virtual crew member of SV Duende. I hope you continue to enjoy the adventure. Thank you for reading.
Looking forward to every post and all your art work. I paint, but not like you! I could live inside your watercolors. I am going to look up Lami Bay. Who knows, maybe some day …
Your painting and quotes blend with beautiful truth and storytelling combined. Kudos LJ!
Thank you Gina! I really appreciate this from you. Thanks for reading.
I love this for many reasons, Linda. The paintings, the use of quotes & someone else’s ideas about the thing you’re experiencing, and then your unique experience itself — very cool storytelling.
I had so many lightbulbs go off, too, about how different we are from others in how we look at change. Such a dirty word! But I think what you’re doing is making it more accessible for folks.
My hope is that people reading your work aren’t just entertained (though they should be), or not necessarily inspired to become a sailing nomad themselves (though they may), but that they adjust their relationship to change. To me, it’s the highway to a better life.
I'm so happy that this resonated for you Cory. We are different - thank goodness! I celebrate that. But it is lovely to think that through our example we may just make it easier for others to consider changes - big or small.
The ocean is our highway - onward and forward.
Truly wonderful writing, my friend! Love the melding of past and present into a well described continuum. Looking forward to the next time we get to hop aboard for a spell.
Thank you Kevin! Your guest cabin awaits 💙
Hell, yeah! Is that the same as the crew cabin?
No, that's the V-Berth. You get a guest cabin with ensuite. :-)
This is stunning, Linda — the way you weave ancient wayfinders, modern nomads, and your life aboard Duende into one continuum. I especially loved the idea that the ocean is both parent and teacher, and that “home” can be something that moves with you rather than a place you return to.
As land-based slow travelers, we relate to pieces of this — that feeling of drifting away from a fixed home, that sense of being shaped by weather, seasons, and the quiet rules of nature. But what you describe here… it’s a different frequency entirely. Water-dwelling nomadism feels like the purest form of freedom — and the deepest form of remembering.
Your line about arriving at a speck of land after crossing thousands of miles? That gave me goosebumps.
Thank you for taking us into that world. Every time I read your work, I feel a little more connected to the wider map of how humans have always moved — by wind, by instinct, by story.
Sail on, fearless crew — and get that fishhook pendant!
💛 Kelly
Thank you Kelly! You write the most thoughtful comments - I love you for that. 💙
The feeling is mutual 💛
Sweet writings, wonderful philosophy and lifestyle bathed in freedom, which I can totally relate to. . . Really like your watercolors too. Beautiful. . . Thanks Linda. . . Blessings. . .
Many thanks Jaiv! Bathed in freedom - that is special!
While I truly enjoyed the essay, it’s the water colors that caught my imagination… so beautiful Linda. Thank you for sharing. (I especially loved the night sky ❤️)
A million thank yous! It has been fun to start sharing my painting with others and it makes me hapoy that they caught your imagination.
Love the inclusion of your painting, Linda! Such a treat to see.
Thanks Erin - I'm coming out with my art as well! 💙
Let all your stars shine, my dear! ✨✨✨