Happy Boaters enjoying a land based existence.
Pleasure boating is a luxury, and we are blessed to own a beautiful boat capable of exploring the wonders of our oceans. We bought Scrimshaw as a safety net as well, in case of a world or local disaster, we would board our boat and travel to safety. Never in our wildest dreams did we conceive that Scrimshaw would be two states away and we'd be unable to get to her. When moved to Washington - a happy good choice- we left Scrimshaw safely tied up in her slip in SoCal, until we could move her north to the Pacific Northwest. Her foremost intended purpose. Shit happens, right? Definitely. She's there and we're here. We're safe, and she's safe, just in different states. We've pretty much enjoyed everything a house and lovely yard has to offer. Most of our traveling around Puget Sound is looking for marinas for Scrimshaw or finding boat launches for our little Catalina 22 sailboat. Mainly, we are longing for our little ship. Everyday. So, when do we get reunited? When do we get to see and hug our grandson again? Two factors dictate when we can make a safe passage, weather, and decreasing numbers of coronavirus cases. 
Mimi and Jack.
All unanswered questions. We're not miserable, just lonely, like millions of others around the globe. We are staying home, and social distancing when he venture out to the market. We long for the simplicity of our little floating home. Whether simply sitting aboard in a slip, or cruising about the Channel Islands, we long to be ON the sea. We now live in a house near the Sea, but looking at it from a distance, or even walking along its lovely shoreline, we are NOT ON THE SEA. We've been boaters as long as I can remember. There has not been a time in the past 5 decades I have not been on one of my boats - any of the 17 I have owned collectively with my husband. I've logged 25,000 blue-water nautical miles crossing oceans, and I am craving the feeling only achieved by gliding across vast open waters.
Yearning for the simple life.
Even Spark misses the sea.
While living abroad Scrimshaw in San Diego, I dreamt of having a home with a charming lush garden. After months of living that dream, now I L O N G for being aboard our vintage Grand Banks. So, as we watch the numbers of affected people and consequent deaths of far too many, rise and fall, we want our old life back. The ebb and flow of time well spent on a boat. It's easy to romanticize boat life from afar. Time for a reset. A Do Over. I have been plagued by "the grass is greener on the other side" most of my adult life. 
Traded that for this....
and, this is Good!
So is this, B U T....
Enough of this. Darrell mows the lawn, twice weekly.
Our yard is lovely, it's filled with Cherry and Apple blossoms, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Hydrangeas, Ferns, Daffodils, Tulips, Lilies, a Dogwood, lots of Heather, Foxgloves, Buttercups, and Daisies, and a delicious Lilac. There are plenty of weeds and maintenance too, just like the maintaining Scrimshaw, our Grand Banks. Oh, and Viva Yo! requires our attention too. I said a loud "NO" to Darrell's need for another camper trailer. Our Airstream was the "Queen of Maintenance" needs. ENOUGH!
He much prefers this ritual, varnishing,
preferably in Mexico.
This works even better.
Happy man in Avalon Harbor.
This is BEST.
Yes, it's Sparky.
He's been sailing since he was 8 weeks old.
Creating a balance between land and sea has been a struggle for us.
We loved the Sierra, the great hiking,
the many lakes, and the plentiful winter sports.
Gorgeous landscapes.
Snow fun outside our front door.
Tranquila, our 25' International Serenity, Airstream.
I loved her, but hated polishing that beast.
I loved her, but hated polishing that beast.
Lots of water, but no marinas!
The main reason we sold our Sierra house was we wanted our house and boat close to one another. The 2-day drive from the Sierra to San Diego was getting old, way old. As much as we love San Diego, the population density, the heat, and the traffic jams were having a toll on us. When we transitioned from sail to power, we bought Scrimshaw with the goal of cruising the Pacific Northwest to Alaska. We had actually wanted to find a Grand Banks Classic in the PNW, but the best one we found was in our own backyard in Sausalito. We had lived in Palo Alto, and eventually moved aboard El Tiburon, our Tayana 48, in Alameda as we prepared to retire and go cruising in Mexico. After 4 years in Mexico, deciding to live aboard in San Diego much of the time was an easy choice for us. Easy usually translates to BORING for us. As we strove to find a balance between house and boat, we found ourselves spending WAY TOO much time in the car driving between the two.
In our boating life together, we have searched for a natural rhythm between land and sea. A month at the house, 3 months aboard. When cruising, we balance our boating needs with 10 days in the slip, and 2 weeks, or much more, cruising around anchorages. Our priorities are skewed. We are boaters, first and foremost. That is why our separation from Scrimshaw is becoming such a hardship. We love living in Washington and exploring all its wonders by foot or car, but enough is enough. As our weather warms it is tortuous for us to watch friends and neighbors come and go on their boats. We know Scrimshaw is also missing us, and tugging on her bow lines. She belongs with us on the Salish Sea.
We are proud to be Washingtonians. Seattle, once the epicenter for the Coronavirus in the United States, is now a model for recovery. We're patient and thoughtful Social Distancers. We believe in science, and embrace behaviors that don't harm others. We want to stay healthy. Our main desire is to stay healthy is twofold, JACK and BOATING. As much as we enjoy the house and our colorful gardens, we do not live for the house. Boating flows throw our blood, and keeps are hearts happy.
We Miss Our Girl
Scrimshaw at anchor on Coronado Island
An open concept
The view out our aft stateroom.
Cozy main salon
Sparky soaks up the sun in our slip in Mexico.
Guest Quarters
The best room in the boat
Our MOST favorite part of boating.
Let's all behave ourselves, social distance, wear masks to keep others safe, and beat this dang Covid-19, and then GET OUT THERE on the water, or wherever it is that makes your heart skip a beat.
Social distancing at its finest,
El Tiburon anchored in the Sea of Cortez.
Crazy, but predictable. I can just about guarantee, that after 2 months of cruising aboard Scrimshaw, I'll start whining about missing my garden. Gardening in Washington is an adventure. We have plants here I've never seen before, and many that I haven't seen since my midwestern childhood. Washingtonians love being outside, both on the water and in their gardens. Avid Boaters. Avid Gardeners. It's a match made in heaven for me, Sea and Terra Firma.
A Bird's Nest Spruce in our lower yard
Bleeding Hearts
Crocus
Lilacs
Dogwood
Grape Hyacinth
Rhododendrons, Everywhere!
And so Many more, but I won't bore you.
Anne's Camellias are perfection,
and they were my mother's favorite blooms.
My neighbor, Anne has kept me sane with flower exchanges
and her deliveries of homemade baked goods.
and her deliveries of homemade baked goods.
Her Camellias are prize winners.
and they were my mother's favorite blooms.
These blooms are just the tip of the flowering iceberg here! During our Stay at Home orders, we enjoyed hours, days, weeks, months? of gardening. Washington is the Evergreen State for a reason. It's a Jungle up here, and gardening qualifies as a grand escapade for a novice like me. Everyday a new flower or shrub surprised us. It became a game. What's out there today? We started with happy Daffodils and pink Tulips, then Crocus and Grape Hyacinth peaked their little heads up through damp earth. Heather bloomed, scented Cherry and Apple Blossoms filled the air. Next there was an explosion of Rhododendrons and Azaleas, followed by Giant Ferns, and now HUGE Hostas are crowding out other blooms. We are currently spending most of our time weeding. Giant Weeds. And really B I G slugs. The garden is doing well, but we've had enough. S C R I M S H A W needs us and we need her. Warm days beckon us to the Salish Sea.
Variety is the Spice of Life.
Boats and Gardens!
Adventure Junkies,
tempered by our love for Jack.
Viva Yo! in Ventura
Until Scrimshaw arrives north, little Viva Yo!, our 1973 Catalina 22 will keep us content.
Scrimshaw and Viva Yo! lying side-by-side in Ventura. Viva Yo! is safe and sound in her new Washington home, now we await a safe weather window for Scrimshaw to follow.
Stay Safe.
My Betty Boop mask was made with love by Lola, my friend Anne's 13-year-old granddaughter.
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