The assorted ramblings of an owner of an old boat…
It’s been a long day, or “days” according to changing time zones. It began as I shut the front door to my house Saturday morning, and walked to meet the airport shuttle just down the street with all I should need for the trip strapped to my back. A few hours later, I stepped off the bus at Sea-Tac, where I breezed though check-in and security and found myself with time to kill at my departure gate.
Continue reading “First Stop: Iceland”
So far, this year has been pretty light in boating activity for me. I’ve completed a few projects and had a few day cruises, but otherwise haven’t been away from the dock a whole lot since fall. I can blame the weather and competing obligations, but the reality is there aresome other things I like to do.
I’ve been saving my pennies and making plans to do some traveling this spring, and now less than a week from departure I feel as though I’m on the threshold of adventure.
Back in 2011, I took a month to visit Norway, with a stopover in Iceland. The first such travel experience for me, It was an amazing time, and I vowed to return. No better time than the present, I say!
The ultimate destination for this trip is Trondheim, Norway where I will spend May 17th, or Syttende Mai, which is Norway’s national day. This year is the bicentennial of Norway’s constitution, and I’m excited to celebrate the occasion with family in the city that my great-great grandparents called home.
I’ll be visiting some of the same spots that I did last time, and look forward to seeing some familiar faces. I’m also anxious to check out some places I didn’t make it to, making stops in Iceland, Denmark, and Sweden along the way.
As time allows, I intend to make posts about my travels to share some of my experiences and photos of the places I visit. I invite you to follow along!
For a few years now, I’ve been lucky to be able to extend my cruising, and for all intents and purposes consider myself a year-round boater. I’ve enjoyed four season cruising thanks to free time and decent weather. Mostly I’d end up tied to a dock, plugged in to 
shore power to keep the boat warm, but that isn’t where I want to spend all my time.
I’ve always wanted to explore the best anchorages in the colder months when the crowds are at home, and experience the changes of the landscape with the changes of the seasons. Oh, I’ve spent a few nights on the hook in the winter time, and it’s totally doable – It just gets butt cold! Even in the summer, some dry heat will be a welcome treat on damp mornings, evenings, and when caught by the rain.
This is a project that I’ve considered over the years, but the cost of the equipment and considering mounting locations made me squeamish, and I’d put it off another year. Like a lot of other projects on the boat, paying someone to do it was simply not an option, as it would be totally cost-prohibitive for me. Continue reading “Operation Warm, Dry Boat”
As boaters, and travelers in general, many of us walk the line between getting away from it all and staying in touch with people back home. With social networking, e-mail, and blogs we have the opportunity to share our adventures, most likely leaving our friends and family green with envy. Aside from the entertainment factor, sometimes we’re required to conduct business so everything runs smoothly at home. If we need to or choose to accomplish these things, reliable internet access is a big help.
Last summer, I spent several weeks cruising on my boat, Jolly Mon throughout British Columbia’s Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound. I’ll share some of my experiences and solutions for staying in touch.
Continue reading “Internet Aboard – It’s not just for torturing the folks back home.”
Like other boaters I’m sure, I find myself daydreaming about places I’ve been and places I’d like to visit on my boat. This seems to be especially true during the rainy winter season. Some winters I manage to get out and do some cruising, while others I don’t. This has been one of those when my boat has been confined to her slip, aside from a few day cruises.
If you’re suffering a similar affliction, the folks at Pacific NW Boater have made coping a bit easier, allowing an opportunity to visit the San Juan Islands from the comfort of your living room with their new DVD: Washington State Parks Cruising Guide – Volume 1, San Juan Islands.
The beautifully-produced DVD, showcases nineteen State Park locations in the San Juan Islands. Producers Darren and Lisa O’Brien take you along as they explore the parks, and provide an excellent overview of park facilities and attractions, so you’ll have a pretty good idea of what to expect when you visit. While the videos aren’t intended to be an aid to navigation, the O’Briens do bring attention to possible navigation hazards, and share some useful hints on accessing park facilities. The DVD is great for all boating audiences, as they cover State Park docks, mooring buoys, an on-shore facilities. The photography is excellent, capturing the beautiful scenery the San Juans are known for.
My boating life began when I was weeks old, riding around in a small runabout, where my brother and I were stowed under the bow when the water got rough. My family visited many of the Washington State Parks in the San Juans, but there are some I’ve never been. The DVD introduced me to some new destinations I now look forward to visiting that I’ve motored past for years.
Whether you’re new to boating the San Juans or have spent a lifetime exploring the Islands, you’ll enjoy Pacific NW Boater’s DVD: Washington State Parks Cruising Guide – Volume 1, San Juan Islands.
Be sure to check out the “Extras”, though… The music video is just what the doctor ordered for a case of the winter blahs.
Pacific NW Boater: www.pacificnwboater.com
