Sailing Songs

The sea is a harsh mistress, and her awesome power is mercurial. Friday's glassy vista may roil with 50-foot surges Saturday, so you'd best batten the hatches and make certain all is ship-shape before setting off. Listen to the sounds of the port receding in the distance, like a dream.

You really haven't lived until you've stood on deck, turned a complete 360 degrees and seen nothing but more ocean. After all, seven-tenths of the Earth's surface is covered in water, and sailing it is an incomparable way to get a feel for the size and majesty of our planet.

By now, you've got your sea legs, and maybe even become a shellback (an honor awarded to those who have sailed across the equator). Or perhaps you're still stuck in traffic with sea dreams. No matter: The ocean is a state of mind, and you can always escape…with the music.

Avast, ye landlubbers! Hoist the mainsail! Swab the decks! Load the iPod! There's no greater adventure than sailing the seven seas, watching the sunrise over the stern as you glide toward some exotic port. The air is fresh and vibrant with the salt spray; the gentle rolling of the waves beneath the hull rocks you gently on your journey. If you can't make the trip, at least let your mind drift with the tide.