Getting settled in Anacortes. Working (yep, that “W” word). Sailing. Connecting with friends and wildlife. We’ve had a lot going on and it’s all good. (more…)
Archive for the ‘Bicycling’ Category
Buoyant blessings abound
Posted in Adventures, Bicycling, How to Live Afloat, Where in the World is Sundown, tagged adventure, Anacortes, bicycle, Butchart Gardens, Hans Christian 33t, knitting, sailing, travel on September 20, 2016| 2 Comments »
Q. What do clean hair and a new bike have in common?
Posted in Adventures, Bicycling, Boat Renovation, Lessons Learned, tagged adventure, Anacortes, biking, cruising, Hans Christian 33t, sailing on August 28, 2016| 6 Comments »
A: I got to have both in one day!
Little did we know our trip to Anacortes to help friends work on and clean up their new-to-them boat would lead to so many exciting things! But first, let me backtrack.
When we returned from our July trip to Colorado, we didn’t know where we would head next or where we’d spend the coming winter, but we had faith our intended path would become clear just like it has throughout this whole adventure so far. Alas, we haven’t been disappointed.
That’s what friends are for
The first place we headed after working on Sundown in the Seaview North boatyard in Bellingham was Anacortes, Wash. We went there to help our friends Bob and Sandy work on their new-to-them Roughwater motor yacht. It’s a 1983 and needed a lot of cleaning, painting, varnishing and repairs. We’ve been happy to help!
We also connected up with some friends from Fort Collins! Mary Carraher, Will Moore, Diane Westervelt and Jeff Pape. They were vacationing on Lopez Island and we sailed over there to meet them. Sunset beverages and tapas were enjoyed by all!
Gotta float the boat
When we returned to Anacortes from Lopez via Bellingham where we picked up our new solar panels which are now installed, Clay had the opportunity to interview for a job at a local boatyard, Marine Servicenter. They hired him on the spot (NO surprise given his amazing skills, work ethic and experience). So far, he’s built out their office with a new multi-desk area; laying a new teak deck on the owner’s boat may be next. It’s as much of a job as he’d like it to be—part time, full time, whatever. But we can’t anchor out in Fidalgo Bay when the weather turns bad, so we put ourselves on three waiting lists for a slip. Ancortes Marina, which is located right next to Clay’s job spot, came through in record time. Clay’s boss introducing him to the management didn’t hurt, but I believe prayer for the right spot trumped that connection. We’ll be moving into our slip by Friday, Sept. 9. Don’t think we’ll be tied to it permanently, though. We plan to cruise the San Juans and back up to Canada for fishing as much as possible.
You may be wondering why Clay got a job. Here’s why: while my income floats the boat, I don’t make enough for extras like trips back home and boat upgrades (e.g., solar panels). Having Clay contribute to our income will be nice. After all, he’s been goofing off for a year; it’s time to pay the piper! Also, it’s always been our plan to work a bit and then cruise a bit, at least till we’re old enough to draw from our pensions, so Anacortes is our first pit stop for the work part.
Bikes are back
Since we’re staying here at least through the winter, acquiring some ground transportation seemed reasonable and there’s NO better kind than bicycles! Clay found potential options on Craigslist and this morning those potentials became ours! Clay has a Norco (Canadian made) 2 X 6 (12 speed) and I have a circa 1980s Diamondback Ascent 3 X 6 (18 speed). They both needed a little lovin’ so we went to the Bikespot during today’s Open Streets event (Yes! This town just hosted its 3rd annual open streets event!) and got hooked up with fenders, bike racks to accommodate our panniers, and new tires and tubes. Thank you, Nick and Carolyn (Bikespot’s owners)! For $300.00 TOTAL, Clay and are are back on two wheels!
While cruising down the street, we also met the woman who coordinates Safe Routes to School programming for Skagit County, as well as the guy who chairs the area’s bike/ped commission. He and I are having coffee in a couple of weeks. (I’m trying to contain my excitement here!)
So, it seems we’re meant to be in Anacortes and we can’t wait to see what the next few months hold in store and how we get to help this wonderful town become an even more robust bike friendly place! I’m actually feeling rather giddy…like a little kid at Christmas!
The lesson here is that if you prayerfully leave yourself open to possibilities rather trying to script every move you make, wonderful opportunities show themselves. Thank you, God, for giving us this new twist in our adventure! Oh yea, and thanks for the chance to wash my hair today! It’s the little things…
Only a flesh wound
Posted in Bicycling, Lessons Learned, tagged cruising, Hans Christian 33t, Sailing injury on August 11, 2016| 4 Comments »
I learned two valuable lessons today. Well, was reminded of two things I already know: (more…)
Back on board with places to go
Posted in Bicycling, Boat Maintenance, Where in the World is Sundown, tagged boat maintenance, Colorado, Hans Christian 33t, travel on August 11, 2016| 5 Comments »
The last five weeks or so have been non-stop action! First, we sailed (or motored when there wasn’t much wind) from northern British Columbia to Bellingham, Wash., in nine days—two of those days we sat out weather on the hook. So in seven travel days we did about 375 miles. When you go five to six knots an hour, that’s 50-60 miles a day, and 10- to 12-hour days. Whew!
After securing Sundown on Squalicum Harbor’s dock, we took a shuttle to Seattle, flew to Denver and then drove to Fort Collins with one of our sons. We’ll take the traffic in San Juan Channel in July over that on Interstate 25 any day!
The next three weeks was filled with lots of family, friends and fun. We cuddled with our dog; paddled, biked, ran and swam; cooked for dozens of people multiple times; celebrated birthdays; ate at our favorite restaurant, Los Tarascos; worked (yes, that “W” word); and more! While we went home rather emergently, everything/everyone ended up being fine.
Cool dog Seren
Yum!
Maggie and Martha (not in photo) visitied from Maine
Dave driving to Los Tarascos
Brotherly love
Us & the biking Brackes
Seren riding in Kim’s canoe
Super Bill!
Kim and her mom
Kayaking Molly
Now we’re back in Washington. The first few days here I was on deadline and cranked out several magazine articles and columns. While being home afforded me time for face-to-face meetings and working at Unite for Literacy‘s office with my colleagues, all of which are very valuable, I didn’t get much time to write. So once we arrived in Bham, my keyboard almost ignited I was typing so fast!
On Monday, we had Sundown hauled out, pressure washed and blocked at Seaview North. She sat on the hard in the boatyard for a couple of days while we performed some routine maintenance, such as:
- Replacing the cutlass bearing on the propellor
- Making sure the engine was aligned properly (it was)
- Replacing a couple zincs
- Re-painting her hull and boot stripe
- Buffing her topsides
- Polishing all of her stainless steel rigging, and finally
- Cleaning the deck and windows.
The pressure wash peeled up the “N” on one side of Sundown’s transom. Clay called Graphic Partners in Loveland, the company who made our port of hail lettering, and they are shipping another set of letters to us ASAP and free of charge! Thank you, Shavon!
And while we were in Fort Collins, Dave from UK Sailmakers made small adjustments to our mainsail and genoa. He’s also serving as our postbox here in Bellingham. We appreciate him very much!
So, Sundown’s shiny, ready to sail and we’re off to Anacortes, Wash., to meet up with our friends Bob and Sandy. They just bought a new boat and want Clay to do some work on it. We like that town and love “Sob and Bandy,” so it will be a good time. We’re hoping Clay can get more work while there to help pay off the extra expense of our trip home and the boatyard bill. Time will tell.
Back on board after a holiday hiatus
Posted in Adventures, Bicycling, tagged Bellingham, Colorado, Fort Collins Colorado, Hans Christian 33t, sailboat, travel on January 21, 2016| 3 Comments »
Kim and I have just returned from our first extended leave from Sundown since we moved aboard in September. (more…)
Shaken up by shakedown anchoring
Posted in Adventures, Bicycling, How to Live Afloat, Lessons Learned, tagged adventure, biking, boat maintenance, Friday Harbor, sailing, San Juan Islands on October 28, 2015| 12 Comments »
Sundown in Echo Bay
Yep. Kim’s writing this. I admit there have been times during our first few days of sailing that I’ve felt shaky. Land sickness has struck (meaning when I get to land, it’s moving all over the place), and I’ve felt less than competent and scared too much of the time. (more…)
Plans, progress and promises
Posted in Bicycling, Boat Maintenance, tagged bicycle, Bicycle Ambassador, biking, boat maintenance, Colorado, Cycling, Fibre Glast, Hans Christian, League of American Bicyclists, sailboat, Traffic Skills 101, yacht on May 24, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Teaching TS101
While we’re still land locked, bicycling is a big part of our lives. As League of American Bicyclists certified instructors, we often teach Traffic Skills 101 classes. As Bicycle Ambassadors, we give presentations in our community on the same subject. I also am a member of a women’s bike commuting team sponsored by Hottman Law Office. (more…)
Sundown Sailing Adventures 