What do you miss most about being out at sea?

I miss the peace of a sapphire blue sea at sunset. Seeing a pod of orca off the coast of Norway. Seeing dolphins bow surfing in the Caribbean. A bad ass storm, yes I know I'm crazy.

Simply put I miss the smell of the open sea.... it's just different than anything you can get in the harbor or beach or.... anywhere.

Ahh...what do I miss about being at sea? I miss feeling and hearing the ship - if you listen well she'll tell how she's doing, how the weather is outside and what kind of shipdriver is at the helm (SN Jones - still doesn't know where my pivot point is, keeps messing up on the followup). I miss hearing the engines spin up, the main reduction gear begin it's rapid run up to Flank speed and the props start thrashing the ocean telling everyone "Here I come! Watch me RUN!"

I miss getting up 2 hours before dawn at sea, grabbing a cup of coffee and going out on deck to watch the sun make his dramatic presence known, feeling the colors of the sky deep in my bones. Smelling the rain coming, without seeing the clouds.

I miss the storms - feeling the ship twist, turn, dip and rise. I miss the ship telling me we have a following sea and all is well. I miss the ship's bell telling me what time it is without needing a watch.

I miss sailing on a smooth as glass ocean - no one else but the ship and the ocean.

I miss being at sea......