El Pescador Fish Market, Part 1
“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”
Jacques-Yves Cousteau
While the sea commands a sense of awe from all of humanity, a select few find themselves caught in a powerful undercurrent that draws them out for a lifetime relationship with it. A simple introduction is enough for them to create a deep salt water fascination that can never be saturated no matter the years they may spend in each other’s company.
My Uncle is such a man and in 1985 he faced a serious dilemma while living in Greenville, South Carolina. Although his business endeavors were successful, he found himself restless with the invitational whispers of the ocean beckoning him towards adventure, but heading that call would require a serious commitment. Should he tack the bow of the boat directly into the winds of adventure, or forgo this opportunity by gybing away?
For him the gravitational pull proved to be too great when a wealthy individual wanted to sail around the world and was in need of someone who possessed the requisite technical skills. Not knowing if he’d ever come back, my Uncle paused his consulting business, accepted the meager $200 weekly salary, and committed to a “cleansing” 2-year adventure culminating in attending the America’s Cup in Perth, Australia.
It was late in the hurricane season by the time they launched the 80-foot ketch into the Atlantic, so their weather related concerns were lessened. However, any hopes for smooth sailing ahead were dashed about 600 miles East of Charleston, South Carolina, when they were first confronted by Hurricane Juan, followed almost immediately by Hurricane Kate. As if being assaulted by 80 knot winds and 30 foot seas weren’t enough of a challenge, once the starter motor caught fire and all of the instruments failed…
And that’s (half of)…Henry’s Take.
El Pescador Fish Market
634 Pearl Street
La Jolla, California
(858) 456-2526
