BOATING IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS

It's a trying time for everyone on the planet. Millions of people are suffering from The Virus. All are affected, either deathly ill, or separated from loved-ones, or unemployed and hungry and unable to pay bills, or more sadly, all of the above. Through it all, God Bless our exhausted and dearly devoted healthcare workers, who have became our heroes. Strangely enough, the planet seems to be doing better without all of us milling about polluting Mother Earth. A disconcerting paradox. Hopefully we will learn that lesson and go forth with a more gentle approach towards our planet.

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.

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.

My neighbor, Anne has kept me sane with flower exchanges 
and her deliveries of homemade baked goods.

Her Camellias are prize winners.

Anne's Camellias are perfection,
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.

EYE ON THE PRIZE

Scrimshaw

1990 Grand Banks Classic

We are long overdue for an adventure. Early spring we cast off Scrimshaw's dock lines, and head north! Our New Year Resolution is, "EYE ON THE PRIZE", as we prepare Scrimshaw for her journey to the Salish Sea. Scrimshaw will arrive via Sevenstar Yacht Transit in Victoria, B.C. Canada.

We bought the Gulf Island Charts and two guidebooks today. We will spend most of our first year in this neck of the woods, and most likely make the Poulsbo-Port Ludlow area near the Hood Canal in Washington our home base. Jumping for JOY!

We are making lists for getting her cruise-ready, paper charts, an upgraded depth sounder, a new anchor bridle, perhaps an Ultra Swivel for the anchor like we had for El Tiburon, and who knows what else, the list continues to grow daily. We have decided to ship her from Ensenada, Mexico to Victoria B.C. I have spent the last 40 some years waiting for good weather windows to sail to from Point A to Point B.  Exploring new idyllic cruising spots requires waiting for safe passages. Cruising the Mediterranean, an Atlantic crossing, transiting the Panama Canal to the Caribbean, or simply sailing from Baja across to Sea of Cortez to Puerto Vallarta, have been worthwhile endeavors that required patience and endurance. BUT, I have had enough waiting. We want to be in San Juan Island the first of May for the Grand Banks Rendezvous, not waiting out weather in some distant port. I've earned it, 30,000 Bluewater miles and at 68-years old, I wanna BE THERE NOW! We had to postpone our trip north last spring, but nothing is stopping us now. If we decide it's too flipping cold and drizzly "Up There", we will enjoy a season, and turn tail south to Mexico.....on Scrimshaw's very own bottom with D and me at the helm. Not likely, but anythings possible.

My favorite varnisher.

While Darrell freshens the varnish, I have been attending to cleaning the decks, hands and knees work. UGH. We have re-caulked much of the deck and the windows, re-organized drawers, and scrubbed and sanded until our fingers scream for relief. The main salon and forward berth have new upholstery. New carpeting. New electric heads too! The galley has a new refrigerator and stove, and the bridge deck has new cushions and pillows. Next on the list, a wax and buff job will be done at Marina Coral in Ensenada. And then, Let the Cruising Begin! "Eye on the Prize" helps us to plow through all the seemingly never-ending list of to do's.

Looking like home.

Our glass is half-full.

Sparky's job is to get well-rested and ready to romp.

Spark is a good old boat dog. He was just 8-weeks-old when he was introduced to boat life aboard our Tayana '47 on San Francisco Bay. He's sailed to Mexico twice, cruised up and down the California coast and out to Catalina several times. Nearly 11 years after his maiden voyage, he says he's ready cruise the Pacific Northwest in a trawler. We are all beyond ready! 

AVALON HARBOR, Santa Catalina

I've been sailing (now motoring) to the Channel Islands since 1975. Haven't gotten one bit tired of Catalina, in fact, truth be told, I did NOT want to leave this time. EVER.

Sparky and Darrell check us into a mooring.

Spark and the Harbor Patrolman remembered one another.

Where's Scrimshaw?

PERFECTION. For 5 days. 

Intended stay 2 nights.

Starboard side of The Scrim

We were very happy with our new floating neighborhood. Lots of fun people with lots of water toys. Everyone plays hard during the day, and retires quietly at night. The boats are moored fairly close together, but boaters are mindful of their neighbor's privacy. Everyone is relaxed and everyone has fun. The atmosphere is very groovy. Did I mention I wanted to stay longer? Just look at the color of that water! And it's clear too! 

Our Portside Hood.

Our Starboard Hood.

Note the Grand Banks 46. Our fantasy boat.

We LOVE our GB42, but we are Serial Boat Owners.

And, we have Boat Envy. Dangerous.

Another nearby neighbor.

Darrell's boss, Ian,from Cruising Yachts.

The most entertaining guy with the most darling family.

He has lots of toys.

Cruising Yachts (5 California locations eager to help you join our Cruising Yachts Family.) was hosting an annual Thank You-Appreciation to our wonderful clients and owners of Jeanneau Yachts. There was plenty of good cheer and a fabulous dinner at a local restaurant on the water. Darrell and I meet some great sailing folks who LOVE their Jeanneau Sailboats. We totally understand, they are gorgeous yachts. Cruising Yachts also sells many other kinds of lovely sailboats and motor yachts. Call Darrell!

Stern view of our Hood.

Sparky is trying to tell us something.....

"Take me Ashore!"

One of the greatest things about Catalina is there are plenty of opportunities to exercise. We always return back to the slip feeling in better shape than when we untied the docklines. You can hike up to the ridge for a perfect view of the harbor and out to sea, and most likely run into a few local deer. Some people go zip lining - no thanks. Perhaps the best exercise for us is, what is required just to get off the boat, get in the dinghy without going overboard, and then navigate our way through a maze of moored boats and avoid all the other dinghies criss-crossing the bay. Then the most challenging physical workout is finding a spot to land the dinghy and securely wrap a line around a moving cleat among an array of bobbing boats tethered together on a floating dock swaying back and forth and up and down with the changing tide. Now the real fun begins. The goal is to step off the dinghy onto the dock without landing in the water, or falling on your face, or backside, all the while looking graceful with the boating population of the harbor watching. This maneuver allows you to develop muscles you didn't even know existed. After a few days, your body, and ego, learn to master this acrobatic performance remarkably well. Once we return to the safety of a conventional boarding ladder back at our slip in San Diego, we actually miss our Avalon Harbor workout.

Headed ashore. Finally.

Getting closer.

The lawn at Descanso Beach is off limits to Spark.

Bummer.

Back to the floating dock routine, and home.

Our other daily exercise routine includes a long swim off Scrimshaw's stern after trekking around town in the HOT sun. The water has been sparkly clear and just the right temperature. I can stay stay in the water forever, but Sparky is the one we literally have to drag out of the water. He wears a life vest so we can lift him up on to the dinghy, and then he jumps on the stern platform, and is again hoisted up on the deck. Then we all rise off with fresh water with Scrimshaw's outside shower. At the end of the day, we are pooped, and happy. We sleep really well at Avalon.

Spark will swim after the tennis ball all afternoon, 

but Darrell has other plans.

Time for a well earned beer.

or nap.

No comment.

Then it's dinner time...and then we do it all over again. 

And again. 

Like I said, every morning when we were supposed to leave, we looked at one another, and said, "ONE MORE DAY". We eventually decided we would stay to celebrate Darrell's birthday. We agreed to return for mine in 6 weeks. Big Smile on my face.

What better spot to say, "Happy Birthday Darrell", than the widely praised local Lobster Trap. Lobster season begins in October, so we were more that satisfied to order local sea bass baked with a macadamia nut crust. Great choice. Succulent and served with fresh veggies. 

Causal and tasty.

A local hang out serving fresh local seafood to local characters and a few hungry tourists.

We'll be back.

The next morning came too soon for all of us. As we left Santa Catalina in our wake, we started to look forward to smooth seas and open ocean ahead of us. The journey was as important as the destination. Almost. Lots of good memories were made, and plans are being made to return in September when the place settles down and the tourist return home.

Going Forward.

Or

Going Back?

San Diego, 72 nautical miles and 9 hours away.

Tough sea conditions. Love the autopilot.

The "Chair" again, right? Last years B'day present was a winner.

Yours Truly

and the Sparkster.

Happy Ears.

Happy Dog.

Ready to return.