Member-only story
The Blue Atlas Project Brings Aid to Devastated Abaco Island
And one woman’s rite of passage to becoming a sailor.
Kali Kirkendall walks to the stove in her underwear, spins the knob on and brings a blue flame to life beneath the kettle.
The sailboat sways with the rhythm of the ocean as she hangs onto the counter and props the Aero Coffee Press between various heavy items stacked together in the sink so it doesn’t tip over. She pours the boiling water through the press then steps back to her bunk and layers on clothing to stave off the 4 a.m. chill.
Steaming hot mug of coffee in hand, she makes her way up the starboard side stern rail and sits down. The boat is on auto pilot so Kali watches the wind, watches out for other boats, and looks to the sky. It’s her quiet time. Her coffee time.
She’s on the the early morning shift crossing the middle of the Mediterranean Sea on a 38 foot Salona Sailboat.
It’s just me and the stars. No birds. No bugs. It’s surreal. Drew sleeps below deck after the first night watch.
A star shoots across the deep black sky littered with a million twinkling orbs. A swell of awe washes through Kali leaving goosebumps on her arms. Fathomless…
