I went for my first sail when I was 6 months .
Harrison Smith was my ancestor; we always had exotic pieces around the house .
http://www.pacsoa.org.au/places/Tahiti/tahitiB.html
He died before I was 1 .
I grew up on the Water .
I read The Pearl Lagoon .
Might as well blame NC Wyeth, Frank Schoonover. and others of the great Illustraters as well .
Stevenson; who can leave him out ?
Arthur Ransome was my first favorite author .
Peter Duck; now there's good kid's yarn .
Patrick O'Brian my last .
O'Brian was the frosting on the cake .
I believe all these experiences created the emotional strands for me .
I was set up !
Rick