We’ve been at this cruising life for about two months and have already met some very interesting and really nice people, which is so much of what makes this lifestyle wonderful.
Mike from Squalicum Marine with his dodger/bimini design.
In Bellingham, the list is long (we were there for five weeks, so had a lot of time to meet folks). First there are the Seaview North boatyard guys, including Teal, Kyle, Eduardo, Aaron and Mark; Mike from Squalicum Marine who designed and built our dodger; Sarah and John, a young couple who live on their Westsail 32 and work to make it happen; Randy and his wife from Patriot, a large tender (a boat that services fishing boats) that was at Seaview for some maintenance; and Ray and Joy from Blaine who also had their boat at Seaview for maintenance and gave us fresh-caught, just-boiled crab.
Then there are the people we met at Lettered Streets Church in Bellingham, including Pastor Chris, our former host student Brian and his wife Annie, Gary and Ann…welcoming, friendly people, all of them.
Steve and his sailboat, Black Bear.
As we’ve been out exploring the San Juan Islands, we’ve made friends with Steve, from Craig, Alaska. We met when we were docking at Friday Harbor’s breakwater and at his recommendation have secured an affordable slip in Deer Harbor on Orcas Island that we are calling call our base camp for the next couple of months or so. He’s been sailing for 35 years and is a wealth of experience and information, and has given us much insight on cruising, positioning for the weather and how to live aboard.
The Corinthian Yacht Club members who I mentioned in my last blog were/are amazing. The names I can remember are Nancy, Helen and Dan, Tracy and Troy, Deb, Denny and Sylvia, more Dans…I remember many more happy faces, but can’t put names with them. We’re seriously thinking of joining their club, so we can continue getting to know and hang out with them.
Bob and Sandy in their onboard sound studio!
Enjoying wine and hors d’oeurvres with Margaret, Robert and Joseph on Joseph’s boat, Orina.
Since arriving in Deer Harbor a day or so ago (we’re kind of on “island time” and it’s easy to lose track of the days) we’ve already made new friends with Sandy and Bob, Joseph, and Margaret and Robert. Steve is here, too. We’ve had social time with all them. It’s fun to learn about their lives and from their experiences.
In particular, Joseph (Bettis) is a Princeton grad and taught world religious studies at the University of Alabama during the years when segregation was inflammatory. He recently wrote a book available on Kindle called Inside the Inside Passage: True Stories from the Land of the Spirit Bear. We now own an autographed hard copy and can’t wait to read up on his adventures cruising to Alaska, as we’re sure we’ll glean much from his tales. Sandy has lived on a boat for the past 25 years. Robert owned a salmon fishing company till the mid-80s. His wife, Margaret, already is a cellular biologist, but is taking online courses to become an accountant, so she can more easily work from their boat. Everyone has tips and tricks to share.
Meeting new people is proving to be a great part of our new life and we thank all of our new friends for enhancing our world.
Are you allowed to hang out with motorboat sailors? Ha! … or is that an oxymoron?
We’re all mariners, so all are good.
Mariners! Great word. So great to hear you two are doing so well, socially and emotionally with growing into your adventure. We’re all right there with you, vicariously of course.
Maybe one day you can join us for a sail!