I’m happy today. Not “giddy-happy”, or “Iwanttogooutdancin happy”. Just happy. But my joy is bittersweet. Along with it comes some sorrow. Because today, we released our probably-last link to the liveaboard sailing life. Today we sold El Gato. Ten years ago, Jeff and I sold 90% of our worldly possessions, … Continue reading
So it’s the Christmas holiday season here in Mexico, and it is so totally different from the holidays back “home”. In the US, Christmas (seems to) begins on Black Friday with crushing crowds congregating at local malls in order to “buy, buy, buy.” This consumerism continues until after the actual … Continue reading
Any sailor will tell you that a”schedule” is merely a suggested date and time. After 19 days, however, J Cruise has not only stayed on schedule, but earned a day, as well. We have managed to depart within 10 minutes of “tee-time” each travel day, and have arrived close enough to … Continue reading
“Whale!” I shriek, lunging for the lifeline on the beam of El Gato. “Grab my camera!” It’s barely moving,, just a long stretch of its brownish back, but it’s a WHALE!! No, wait. It’s not moving at all, I realize as we pass it by. Is it dead? No, turns … Continue reading
We’ve been battling rolling ocean swells for over 26 hours, and I have never been so ready to get off the boat. Jeff is exhausted and, after the boat is nestled securely in the marina slip, he is sound asleep. Walk. I must walk. I need to stretch my legs and … Continue reading
For almost two months now, Kismet has been out of the water in Cambridge, Md. awaiting a new engine. During that time, Jeff and I have been living in a state of limbo, moving around, waiting until we can get back to our home aboard and finish our trip to … Continue reading
SHIT! SHIP!! SHIP!!!! Jeff drops, no, slings, the chart aside as he grabs the wheel and slams it to port (left). Directly off our starbird (right) side is what at first appears to be a mega yacht cruising full speed ahead toward our beam. On a second, less hysterical look, … Continue reading
I have struggled over how to write a post that can come even a smidge close to describing the beauty that has besieged us on our way north through New England. No Can Do. So I’m just gonna post some pics for you to enjoy. … Continue reading
When Jeff and I decided to sail Kismet to New England this Summer, the only reason Rhode Island was even on our radar was because I could then mark it off as one of the remaining 3 or 4 states I have yet to visit. Other than that, no plans … Continue reading
“Sputt…Sputt….” Nothing. Silence. No engine running. Just the sound of waves and current. “Shit! Jesus, take the wheel” (A joke we use, referring to a Carrie Underwood song, when someone else needs to steer the boat) We are heading into the cut to take us to Highbourne Cay, a beautiful marina/resort … Continue reading