A place for posts

  • One red flare

    One red flare

    To the southeast of Santa Barbara, there is a national park known as the Channel Islands. If you’re looking to do some learning, there is plenty to research about these islands. The oldest known human remains found within North America were found on one of these islands. Cooler yet, these isolated landmasses became home to pygmy Read more

  • “Shower days are the best days” and other surprising revelations

    “Shower days are the best days” and other surprising revelations

    I can see it in their eyes. When I explain to people that we live on a boat, we’ve quit our jobs, and are cruising around, they get this look in their eye as they zone out and envision what my life looks like. They see lazy days spent in the sun aboard a fancy Read more

  • Mittens ‘til Mexico – AKA “I don’t wanna put on my onesie!”

    Mittens ‘til Mexico – AKA “I don’t wanna put on my onesie!”

    I am comfortable enough with myself to admit that I am the Goldilocks of temperature. When it’s cold enough for layers (let’s say anything below 50°F on land, or 65°F at sea) I am easily irritated. It’s something about everything crowding up around my neck and turning my hair into a giant matted mess that Read more

  • The woman behind the curtain

    The woman behind the curtain

    Recently, a friend and I had a conversation about sailing. She also lives on her boat and has left Seattle, aiming for warmer latitudes. I remember when she and her husband and their very cute dog left the dock and thinking to myself that she seemed to really be a competent sailor and her husband Read more

  • Does anyone know how sea otters feel about living on a sailboat?

    Does anyone know how sea otters feel about living on a sailboat?

    Anchoring in Monterey Bay is basically the worst thing you could possibly do. After this, I have some rather high expectations about the amount of marine life I encounter on a daily basis. Watching mama otters tend to their young while sea lions jump out of the water to chase down their dinner and sausage Read more

  • Do you think those things are nocturnal?

    Do you think those things are nocturnal?

    After some extensive research (two nights at anchor), I have determined that sea lions never sleep. When we got to the anchorage in Santa Cruz last night we heard some occasional barking from some of them. Nothing too crazy. As the sky grew darker, their calls became louder. What they talked about all night, Neptune only Read more