Welcome Aboard!

Our full enclosure will look similar to this one. I like to think of it as my sunroom.
Our full enclosure will look similar to this one. I like to think of it as my sunroom.

As requested by my son and cousin, today’s post includes virtual tours of FNR, both outside and in. Knowing that videography is not a strength for either one of us, Steve and I decided to split up the videoing with him doing the OUT and me doing the IN. We watched the videos together and were reminded once again how different our approaches are to this adventure and to this blog. Obviously, Steve knows boats and I do not. He’s a sailor and I am not. He’s going to make sure FNR is seaworthy and chart all of our travels. I am going to make sure Steve is seaworthy and that we are comfortable when traveling. He’s the Captain and I’m the First Mate.

As far as the blog goes, there will be posts talking about how Steve replaced our headliner, about cracked Electro Scans, about pink algae in water tanks, about replacing leaky ports, about the trials, tribulations, and thrills of living on a boat…things that other Cruisers and Liveaboards may be more interested in. For family and friends, there will be posts about the places we see, the people we meet, and about how much we miss you and wish you were here.

For now, we are staying at the marina until the end of June – that’s when our lease runs out – so you’re going to have to wait a bit for the places we see and the people we meet blogs. We still have boat projects to complete – new countertops, sinks and faucets, a full enclosure, mounting a TV, replacing salon cushions, learning how to take videos, etc. – so we’ll have plenty to blog about. When we do set sail, we plan to spend a few months in the upper Chesapeake and then head down to the Florida Keys for the winter. That’s all we have planned for now and even that is subject to change. After 75 plus combined years of employment, there will be no schedules, just routines subject to change. No deadlines, just ETA’s. No rat race, just zen on a boat.

Memorable Experiences

Memorable experiences. We all have them and, if asked, can quickly rattle off a few.  I imagine mine aren’t much different or more memorable than yours.  I’m sure you can relate.

  • My mother leaving my 3rd birthday party because she was in labor with my younger sister who ending up being born that same day. (Took me a long time to admit it, but best birthday present ever!)
  • My first kiss…8th grade on the school track after track practice.
  • Myrtle Beach after high school graduation.
  • Honeymooning at Myrtle Beach.
  • Buying my first home.
  • The birth of my son.
  • The birth of my daughter.
  • The birth of my second daughter.
  • My separation and divorce.
  • Meeting and marrying Steve.
  • The birth of my granddaughter.
  • Selling our home and nearly everything we own, retiring and moving onto a sailboat.

Okay, I know a lot of you may not be able to relate to the last one, but that’s what this blog is going to be about.

We’ve lived on FNR, a 1986 Cal 33 for 2 days now, downsizing from a 1900 square foot house to a walk-in closet. Steve and I hope you’ll enjoy reading about how we got here and where we hope to go. We think it will be a memorable experience.