The Cosmos Adventure - News
October 30, 2001 CosmosThe following replies were received from the Cosmos in response to messages posted on the Message Board.
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Janie, John, Brittany, Adam
Message 81 --- 10-27-2001 01:04 PM ET (US)
Joe, Hi, We hope you are all doing well. The kids were wanting to know about all the different animals you have seen? We can't wait until your home again. Hope you are having the time of your lives. Our love and prayers are with you all. Take Care, Love, Janie, John, Brittany and Adam
Reply:
Hello Janie, John, Brittany and Adam,
We have not seen a wide variety of land animals (mammals). The Polynesian islands have very few. People brought all of the mammals. Even New Zealand, which is the biggest island by far that we will visit has only the bat and the rat as original animals.
The mammals that have amazed me the most on the islands have been dogs, which of course are descendents of other dogs that were brought to the islands by people. The dogs all seem to be content and non-aggressive. They never seem to bother each other or people. They never beg for food, and when I have offered them bread, they have smelled, but not taken it. They all seem to be of a similar type of mixed breed. One in particular accompanied me joyfully across an island as if he was my life long friend and protector and seemed to expect to be offered a seat in the dingy to go to the boat with me.
We did see some very unusual animals back in the Galapagos. None of them were land mammals. I wrote a piece in the log about the animals we saw there.
The most fascinating living things that we have seen have been the fish. So many, and so varied. Every time I go swimming, I believe I have seen all of the most unusual fish, and then one or sometimes a thousand strange looking, wonderfully colored fish shows up. Perhaps even more surprising to us North Americans who are used to every fish in the market being gray, is that these same colorful fish are sold in the market and are edible. It hardly seems possible to eat a fish that is many shades of the rainbow, including blue and purple. Look on the WWW for the parrotfish. This is just one fish that I have eaten and enjoyed.
Uncle Joe, Captain of the Cosmos
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Marty McGreevy
Message 78 --- 10-26-2001 11:49 AM ET (US)
Hope all is going well on the Cosmos adventure! I thought of our favorite adventurer's today as I was fighting the wind walking into the building. You could probably sail across hagerstown in about fifteen minutes today, this with the boat being on dry land. Sorry to hear Aaron has joined the trip, hope his rancid gas problem has subsided. Whoops, maybe this wasn't an appropriate comment for this median, but consider the source, go figure?!?!?! Again, hope all is well, and look forward to spending some time with the complete Dorr family over the holidays.
P.S. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I would just like to repeat that I did not eat the Thanksgiving turkey of 1988.
Reply:
Marty,
You did not answer my question.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Eric Lowe
Message 77 --- 10-25-2001 11:15 PM ET (US)
Hello to the Cosmos crew, it's nice to see a guy can still get Shanghaied. That is how you added Aaron and 'Twon, right?
Oh yeah, I was wondering if you have found any pirate treasure yet?
Reply:
Aaron and 'Twon have been dispatched in our submarine tender with orders not to return to the mother ship unless they have the pirate treasure. Argh!!
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Joan Powers
Message 76 --- 10-24-2001 01:49 PM ET (US)
Dear Dad,
Everyone is looking forward to your return. Can't wait to hear your stories.
We have two very important dates to celebrate and hope you return in time. Your 60th Birthday and Sara's 1st. We're hoping you will be home by at least the 1st of Dec. Sara has four teeth now and is cuter than ever. She sends a smile.
We are all well. Love you,
Joanie
Reply:
I am also really looking forward to getting home. Party, party, party.
I am especially looking forward to seeing my grandkids. Sara and I need to
hurry and open all of our birthday presents before the Christmas load comes
in.
Love, Dad
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Jan
Message 75 --- 10-24-2001 11:47 AM ET (US)
Joe, We're charting your progress on a world map on our classroom wall. The kids have some questions for you.
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Ryan asks, "Do you think you'll ever race in an around the world race?"
Reply:
Ryan,
I admire the people that race around the world in sailboats, but our plan is to sail as safely as possible, to visit as many islands, meet as many people, and explore as much as we can. I don't think out plan would ever win the race. I don't think I will ever enter an around the world race because I like our plan more than a chance at winning a race. Some people would like more to win a race, and that makes life exciting too.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Cody asks, "How long will your trip take?
Reply:
Cody,
We have divided the trip into three parts. Each part will take about six months. The trip to New Zealand will take six months, the trip to South Africa will take six months, and the trip back to Maryland will take six more months. The complete trip will take __________ months. (Webmaster: Cody, I think Captain Joe would like you to fill in the blank)
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Bryce asks, "Is it fun?"
Reply:
Bryce,
Yes it is fun, but sailing around the world is not for everyone. It is hard work and sometimes dangerous. Some people get too seasick to want to continue. For me, the fun is overcoming big challenges to see so many interesting things. I have a good boat, and an excellent crew to give me confidence that all of the jobs will get done, and none of the dangers will hurt us. That confidence makes the trip fun too.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Zach wants to know how long you've been sailing?
Reply:
Zach,
We have been living on the sailboat for 150 days, but we have only sailed for about sixty days in total. About 90 days have been spent anchored in lagoons, harbors and bays at beautiful islands. There is still a lot of work to do, even when we are anchored to keep the boat safe and comfortable for sailing to the next island. Some people would say that the work getting ready to sail, is also a part of sailing.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Rebecca wants to know if your are catching fish and if so, what kind?
Reply:
Rebecca,
I have caught no fish since we left the United States about five months ago. Everyone tells me it is easy. They say I can just drag a plastic bag with a hook in it behind the boat, and some fish will bite the hook. I bought nice lures, and fished for hundreds of hours, and caught nothing. My son, Aaron joined our crew about a week ago, tossed my lure in the water and in two hours, caught a mahi mahi that was five feet long. We have eaten it for three meals, and still more than half of the meat we got from the fish is still in the refrigerator. I asked myself, "Why does the fish get on the hook when my son Aaron puts the lure in the water, but not when I put it in the water?"
When we sail, we tow a ten pound propeller on a three foot steel shaft at the end of a 100 foot line through the water to make electricity. This morning, we pulled the propeller out of the water after towing it for five days, sailing from Bora Bora to the Cook Islands. When we got the propeller back on the boat, it was easy to see that a fish had tried to eat the propeller. The blade was bent, teeth bite marks were all up and down the three-foot steel shaft that goes to the propeller, and the rope was chewed for a couple of feet in front of the propeller. I asked myself, why does the fish want to eat my steel propeller when I put it in the water, and not my lures.
But I know that I will catch a fish tomorrow, so tomorrow I will try again. Please hope for me that I catch a fish tomorrow.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Jacqueline says, "What do you eat?"
Reply:
Jacqueline,
We eat a wide variety of food. Most if it comes from cans. Fresh fruits, meats and vegetables will last for only a week, so on long times sailing from one island to another, we can't keep fresh food the entire time. The canned food includes chicken, tuna, soups, and stews. The canned vegetables include string beans, lima beans and corn. One member of the crew named Don, makes us bread; even out in the middle of the ocean.
The crew's favorite snack is Snickers candy bars so we try to keep some of those on board Cosmos too.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Peter wants to know what you do on a windy night?
Reply:
Peter,
When we know it is going to be very windy at night, we make the sails smaller before it gets dark. When we are sailing from one island to another, we can't stop at night. We like wind, because it makes our sailboat move. Our sails are adjustable for strong and for light winds. We always make the sails smaller in very strong winds. If we think we are going to have strong winds during the night, we adjust the sails to be smaller before it gets dark, because it is more dangerous to adjust the sails at night, then it is when it is light.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Rachel asks, "Do you ever seasick?"
Reply:
Rachel,
Many people never get seasick. I get seasick a lot more than anyone else that I know. When we left the United States, I was seasick for eight days. I lost about 5 or 10 pounds. After a while, the seasickness goes away until the waves get big again, then it comes back.
But I still love to sail, and to visit and explore all of this beautiful water and the beautiful islands, and meet the friendly people. I consider the seasickness just another challenge to deal with.
I hope that you are one of the people that never gets seasick.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Jessica wants to know where you are now.
Reply:
Jessica,
Right now, I am on my boat in a very small harbor of an island called Roratonga. Roratonga is one of the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands are small, and very far from any big islands. You could ride a bicycle around Roratonga Island in just two hours even though it is the largest of 11 Cook Islands and contains the capital city of all of the Cook Islands.
To make it easier to find our way around the ocean, every place is assigned numbers. The numbers are called latitude and longitude. The numbers for where I am are south latitude 21 degrees and west longitude 159 degrees. Mrs. Spicknall can help you find this on a globe or map of the world.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Daniel wants to know when you are coming back and can you come to our school when you get back to talk to our class about the trip.
Reply:
Daniel,
I hope to be back in the United States about December 13th. I would love to come to your school and talk to your class. I will talk to Mrs. Spicknall to find out if she can schedule a time.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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We're hoping to hear from you soon!!! Jan
Reply:
Thank you and you class for all of the wonderful questions.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Emily Dorr
Message 74 --- 10-24-2001 09:22 AM ET (US)
Hi Dad and crew, Well I am in my new house! With all the boxes, some still packed, some half unpacked and some totally unpacked but yet to be thrown away, it looks like a moving truck exploded in the house. I could not have dreamed better weather for the first weekend in the house. Can wait for you to come home and see it. This weekend I plan on stripping some wallpaper boarders and beginning the painting upstairs. This task will be followed by ripping up the ugly blue-marble carpet, there are nice hardwood floors underneath. Hope all is well and the addition of Aaron and Anton is a pleasant change to the boat.
Love, Emily
Reply:
I can't think of a more qualified homeowner to undertake the projects you are starting. One of the lessons that I have learned is to carefully but steadily accumulate the right tools to complete the jobs, and then take good care of them. Also, take lots of pictures. It is fun to mark your progress.
You dad, Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Tom and Anita
Message 73 --- 10-21-2001 10:40 PM ET (US)
Ahoy Joe, Tom and I appreciate the post cards. We mount them on the fridge and dream about teleporting to Tahiti. Can't believe you are there. Do you have to pinch yourself every morning? We especially enjoy the news updates and check the website often. We miss you. Love, Tom and Anita
Reply:
Tom and Anita,
I miss you too. As a matter of fact, missing people is the only, but very significant draw back to this adventure. See you in December.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Mom
Message 72 --- 10-20-2001 10:05 PM ET (US)
Joe,
You're missing October's bright blue weather. It' been wonderful here. The trees are almost at there full colors.
We all miss you and are waiting the return of the sailors.
Anita and I went to see Jessica last week. Nothing exciting is happening in Crownsville.
Everyone is on edge about the anthrax scare.
Happy Sailing, love Mom
Reply:
Mom,
Elke has told me about the very nice weather. Sorry to miss it. We have had our fair share of rain, but rain hasn't stopped us from doing anything, and most of the time the weather here is gorgeous.
We look forward to our return, too. Like I told Tom and Anita, missing people is the biggest drawback.
Son Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Elke Dorr
Message 71 --- 10-19-2001 10:29 PM ET (US)
Kathy and George,
Happy Anniversary to you both. Heartfelt congratulations on 39 years of marriage! A joint anniversary celebration is definitely in order when the Cosmos crew returns, since Joe and I celebrated our 33rd anniversary too, while Cosmos was underway. Hope you celebrate many, many more wonderful years together. Elke
Reply:
Elke,
And I hope you celebrate many, many more wonderful years in your marriage, too.
Love
Joe, Your loving husband.
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Gebbs
Message 69 --- 10-18-2001 12:02 PM ET (US)
Hey,
Thought you guys might enjoy this maritime deep thought by Jack Handy....
"Why do people in ship mutinies always ask for "better treatment"? I'd ask for a pinball machine, because with all that rocking back and forth you'd probably be able to get a lot of free games."
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Gebbs
Message 68 --- 10-18-2001 11:50 AM ET (US)
Joe,
Looking forward to seeing you, Aaron, and the rest of the Clan McDorr over the Holidays! Hope you have wild stories (and pictures) to share. I too have many wild stories to share about that boat, though I'm not sure you'd want to hear them. Let's have a fireside chat when you get back with egg nog, scooby snacks, and rampant laughter. I'll bring the movie (just kidding).
Seriously, hope all is well with everyone on the boat and that you're journeys are enriching you're lives.
Take good care,
Gebbs
Reply:
Gebbs,
Your deep thoughts are illuminating. They have guided me to another deep thought. "There are three kinds of people in this world, those that can add and those that can't." Gebbs, we are both one of them.
Thank you for the note.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Marty McGreevy
Message 64 --- 10-17-2001 01:18 PM ET (US)
Thanks for your responses cosminauts! Great to hear from you even in electronic form. I am on the phone with a colleague at work, and I hope they don't realize that I'm not listening to anything they are saying! I am jealous of the cosmos and it only having one captain. If you had 5 Vice Presidents trying to all steer the boat at one time you would most certainly hit something. Hope all is going well, and the flag is flying high! Take care and have a safe trips, and thanks again for answering our messages. At least someone will still talk to me.
Marty
Reply:
Marty,
The flag is flying. What is the answer to my question?
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Ged
Message 63 --- 10-16-2001 10:09 PM ET (US)
Joe,
I am glad to report that I have checked out your web site and both Kim and I are very impressed with your voyage. If you remember, I was the guy from NJ on the Shark feeding dive in Moorea. I had a wondeful time sharing your worldly travels and look forward to keeping track of your voyage. Good Luck and Safe Sailing.
Marty
Reply:
Marty,
I hope your honeymoon continued to be lovely and enjoyable. Thank you for the nice wishes.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Dave & Chris
Message 62 --- 10-16-2001 09:56 PM ET (US)
Joe,
Still injoying following your adventure. Received your post card yesterday 10/15/01. We found a web site of aDave Clark who is sailing around the world and trying to set a record for the oldest to do so (at 77). Web sites arewww.dclark.com and www.captainclark.com. His route is very similar to your route.
Looking forward to seeing you upon your return.
Love Dave & Chris
Reply:
My hat is off to Dave Clark. We are not alone our here, but somehow we go over a week without seeing boat or airplane. I guess it is just a big world. Thank goodness we have the web and the webmaster to help us share our part of it with those that have an interest.
There are many routes to choose from. Our route is one of the most popular among cruising circumnavigators.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Joey and Teke
Message 61 --- 10-15-2001 11:27 PM ET (US)
Joe,
What a wonder it must be to feel the blues and greens of the ocean and to live under just the sky. Your adventures and new insights are fabulous! Thank you for sharing them with all of us who care about you so much. We loved spending a few hours with Elke on Friday, and we all were wishing for you to be with us too. But dreams aren't just for dreaming...some are for doing too. We'll be eager to hear your stories, see your pictures, and hear all of your thoughts about all of the books you have read! Thanks for the postcards. Book Group sends you their love too.
A special Hi to George too. All is well on the mountain!
With love,
Joey & Teke (Kesra is in Rwanda!!!)
Reply:
We need a whole new box of crayons to color what we see. If we only do the ocean, we need 100 blues and 100 greens to blend. If we add the fish, the crayons we need would overflow our storage.
Kesra is in Rwanda!!! Wow. Some dreams aren't just for dreaming, but I am sure Kesra has some good mission to accomplish there too. I know that she will return safely, too.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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David Dorr and Family
Message 60 --- 10-13-2001 06:47 PM ET (US)
Uncle Joe:
Great to see the trip is progressing well. Crystal wouldn't let me come along for the Tahiti leg. Something about work and having to feed the kids. Oh well. If your home by December you may be able to see the Terp football team in a bowl appearance. They are 6-0 for the first time since anyone can remember. We'll keep up with your progress.
Safe Sailing,
David, Crystal and Family
Reply:
Yeah, Dave and Crystal! Congratulations on your big move and your new house. When was the last time the Terps were 6-0? I got my bachelor's in '68, and don't remember them ever having such a record.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Kathy Murphy
Message 59 --- 10-12-2001 11:53 AM ET (US)
Oh Joe,
How wonderful you are to proclaim your love for my dear friend Elke so beautifully and publicly!!! I too needed that reassurance that your love for each other was deep, strong and very much alive. Forgive my fears and doubts and THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! You are sumthin' else!!! Enjoy your trip!!
Much love,
Mrs Webmaster
Reply:
Dear Queen,
There are more titles in the Murphy family than the Windsors can lay claim to. We are so lucky to live so near the palace and the good people that live there. Missing you.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Walt Burmeister
Message 56 --- 10-08-2001 01:50 PM ET (US)
I met with George last week and heard about your great adventure. I am jealous!
Reply:
Walt,
Thank you for the note. Hope all is well with you and your latest great adventure, too.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Brendan Dorr
Message 55 --- 10-08-2001 11:56 AM ET (US)
Hey Dad,
Your stories and pictures are making me so jealous. I wish I was with you to enjoy every bit of water you cover. But for now I am working hard at school making good progress with my voice. I hope this message find you in good spirits and in good health. Take care and I hope the winds stay in your favor.
B
Reply:
Brendan,
Sing on and I will catch the final chorus (or solo). You take care and I hope your voice stays in favor, too.
Dad and Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Jan Spicknall
Message 54 --- 10-06-2001 12:07 PM ET (US)
Ahoy from Herald Harbor. Just wanted to let you know that you may need to look for some other place to dock Cosmos by the time it makes it's way home. Miller's house is on the market for $969,862. Interested? Jason has taken up sailing. Well, sort of. A friend bought a small catamaran and they're learning, at least they've been able to sail out then paddle back. Maybe he'll be ready for your next leg! Love, Jan
Reply:
Jan,
Jason can keep his catamaran on my mooring if he likes. We will be looking for crew for the next leg. If Jason figures out how to sail to windward, maybe I can get a lesson when I get back home.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Emily Dorr
Message 53 --- 10-05-2001 03:45 PM ET (US)
Ultralight no fair! While we are back home slaving away, you are out there trying out different methods of transportation. I'm jealous. Well Dad and crew, it's good to see you are all having a great time. My house settlement is October 19th! Can't wait for you to see it and to hear about all your many adventures.
Love, Emily
Reply:
Emily,
Buying a house is one of life's great adventures too, and I am sure you know that by now. Where is your web site?
Dad and Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Rick
Message 51 --- 10-02-2001 12:34 PM ET (US)
Dear Joe,
Hope all is well in Polynesia...and if you find Amelia Earhart... Well, one thing you might have missed is an incredible F3 tornado hit College Park, Beltsville and Laurel last week doing major damage, killing 2 UMCP students and injuring dozens more. Worst local storm in 75 years.
You would be proud of America's response to the tragedy of Sept. 11. An incredible sense of unity never seen in my lifetime. Imagine every interstate overpass with an American flag draped over it, the stars and stripes flown from construction cranes with spotlights on them at night, flags on front porches and in windows...well it is a reality these days...not a mirage. Something "big" had to happen as you navigated swell after swell for three years, eh?
Perhaps your "neighborhood" is the safest these days, unless another MIR space station has to come down. Excuse my sense of humor, Joe. Hope all is well out there on the high seas, an amazing adventure if there ever was one. All is well back in Gaithersburg...even if I am here. Have a great time and stay safe. Regards, Rick Canter/ACE*COMM
Reply:
Rick,
I know you will keep things safe at ACE*COMM. We met Amelia's daughter the other day - born a year after the ocean landing.
We have read the news in the weekly magazines when we can get them, but Elke's emails give us the best reports. No citizenry rallies around its government like U.S. citizens because we are the government. We may get mad, even at ourselves, sometimes, but when we get mad at the other guys, pray for them.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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Chuck Kucera
Message 50 --- 09-30-2001 12:22 PM ET (US)
Well, Joe...It's a small world, even when you sail around it. Long time since High School and U of M. Too much to tell since then, but here's summary. Last 25 years in the environmental affairs management business for large industry..Solomons Island Chesapeake Biological Lab after Army 1969-1972 including Vietnam, Denver 1977-1988, now Atlanta since '88. Say Hi to George...I was Corporate Environmental Director for Alumax (Eastalco parent) and worked closely with Margaret Convey,Dave Leslie and JP Gillardeau. Retired Alumax after the Alcoa takeover in 1998...Now consulting...helping industry live in co-existence with EPA.
Still an avid sailor, when I can get a chance. Sold my New England Hereshoff Eagle reporduction when I moved to Colorado 1977. Learned of your voyage from my Mother in Millersville, who still keeps in touch with your family. Great web site!! You're doing what I've always dreamed of!May fair winds be with you. Best of Luck, Chuck., ckucera@msn.com
Reply:
Chuck,
Great to hear from you! Congratulations on your retirement. I haven't gotten that far yet.
We will be looking for qualified crew for the next leg. If you are interested, you will have to pass this "Crew Qualification Test" that has been condensed to one question. 1. Is water blue or red?
Seriously, if you would like to join us, let me know.
Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos
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