Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Anticipating a great adventure
Naturalist John Muir first visited Glacier Bay in 1879 and described it as "a picture of icy wildness, unspeakable pure and sublime." I decided long ago that I am a visual person, taking in scenery and vistas being endlessly fascinating. I anticipate an adventure of exploring Alaska aboard a 45' power cruiser as an ongoing visual extravaganza!! I have learned that reservations are required for exploring Glacier Bay and we have received verification that we are one of 25 boats permitted daily into the park. People are always hoping to see the bears. I am hoping to see a Tufted Puffin.
I just finished reading Jonathan Raban's Passage to Juneau. I began reading this book thinking the author would be writing about his trip from Seattle to Juneau tracing the route Captain Vancouver took during his explorations. The book begins with those intentions but while making the trip the author gets sidetracked by life events. Upon receiving news that his Father was gravely ill he left his sailboat and travelled to England to say goodbye. His writings reflect on that life altering event and others drawing the reader into those reflections. A great read!!
I just finished reading Jonathan Raban's Passage to Juneau. I began reading this book thinking the author would be writing about his trip from Seattle to Juneau tracing the route Captain Vancouver took during his explorations. The book begins with those intentions but while making the trip the author gets sidetracked by life events. Upon receiving news that his Father was gravely ill he left his sailboat and travelled to England to say goodbye. His writings reflect on that life altering event and others drawing the reader into those reflections. A great read!!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
House is on the Market!
Last step is to sell the house, put the rest of our belongings in storage and move aboard! Stay tuned....
Sailing Class 2010
On March 28th the sailing class members headed out to brave the wild arctic waters of Puget Sound. We climbed aboard eager to put our newly gained sailing knowledge into practice. The opportunity to sail with Jim Hewitson aboard his beloved “Magic Button” is an experience not to be missed. As we left Shilshole Bay Marina, with Jim at the helm and Zak and Mike as crew, we were all anticipating a wonderful adventure at sea. We were not disappointed. As we were trimming sails, steering, and working together as a crew, we were also fixed on the low, dark, angry sky approaching. As the gale winds reached 30 knots and the ship cut through the whitecaps at 8 knots, it proved to be an exhilarating sailing experience.
Thank you Jim Hewitson for your dedication to teaching based on your love of sailing. Your willingness to share it with others is greatly appreciated!
Marine Engine Maintenance Class
Twin Cummins Diesel Engines - What are we looking at??
Like Ratty in The Wind in the Willows when he explained the river's appeal to Mole: "There is nothing--absolutely nothing-- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.... In or out of 'em, it doesn't matter. Nothing seems really to matter, that's the charm of it."
Sea trial and survey
What a day!! A day of firsts, anticipation of surprises both good and bad and the decision to proceed looming!A typical day in October in Seattle. Raining! Taking the boat out from Lake Union to Lake Washington presented some great scenery and our first experience being behind the wheel!
The haul out!The examination of the haul by the Surveyor would be key to whether we proceeded with the purchase!!
The Surveyor, with a tap, tap, tap down the haul, proclaims her "A good boat!"
We breathe a huge sigh of relief, if we had found any problems it would have been hard to let her go!
moving towards living aboard Priority
FAll 2009 Began our adventure of experiencing livingaboard a boat.
After months of climbing over, under, up and down many boats and reading and talking endlessly about boats we found her!! Priority! Going to yet another marina and looking at yet another boat, I asked the Broker what boat he would show me next. Priority! A 40' power cruiser. Instantly loved the aft cabin and aft deck and the ease of walking up steps, not using a ladder! Newbies that we were, without much (understatement: read no) boating knowledge, we proceeded with the survey and sea trial. Working through all the details she became ours. Moved her over to Shilshole marina and started to learn all her systems. Through the winter we hauled all the past owners stuff and more stuff off the boat, thankful for large dumpsters. And you hear there is not much storage on a boat!!
We have discovered the terrific educational courses offered through the Seattle Sail and Power Squadron and have gained wonderful new friends.
After months of climbing over, under, up and down many boats and reading and talking endlessly about boats we found her!! Priority! Going to yet another marina and looking at yet another boat, I asked the Broker what boat he would show me next. Priority! A 40' power cruiser. Instantly loved the aft cabin and aft deck and the ease of walking up steps, not using a ladder! Newbies that we were, without much (understatement: read no) boating knowledge, we proceeded with the survey and sea trial. Working through all the details she became ours. Moved her over to Shilshole marina and started to learn all her systems. Through the winter we hauled all the past owners stuff and more stuff off the boat, thankful for large dumpsters. And you hear there is not much storage on a boat!!
We have discovered the terrific educational courses offered through the Seattle Sail and Power Squadron and have gained wonderful new friends.
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