Cruisers Are Beautiful People

Penobscot Narrows, Maine

Yesterday we went to the Downeast SSCA Gam on the island of Ilsesboro. We are so glad that we did. A gam is a meeting between cruisers. This one was no exception. (A bonus is that it was held at the home of our dear friends Dick and Kathy. We haven't seen them in 1.5 years. ).

The experience refreshed our exposure to cruisers and their culture. As we have traveled the country I recent months, we met lots of nice people, but they are unlike cruisers. There was so much hugging and sights of people renewing old acquaintances that the sight was heart warming.

In recent months we talked with two,couples who switched from boat cruising to RV cruising. They both said that the culture was very different.

Cruisers establish lifelong friendships when they travel together, or anchor near each other. Then they scatter to all ends of the earth. However they frequent places where cruisers hang out, and thus reencounter old friends very often. Libby and I are no exception, we encountered a dozen or more past friends, and established 6 new ones.

I believe that cruisers also depend on each other for help and advice more than others do. That may help explain the depth of the relationships.

Anyone attending a gam can not help seeing that this group of people appear to be healthier, fitter, more trim, gregarious and stress free than others of the same age. One of the speakers remarked that cruisers who must learn to maintain balance on rolling decks seem to have found the most effective medicine for heart disease.

Libby and I feel privileged and honored to be a part of this admirable community. Hip hip hooray for cruisers.