Life Aboard

Winter Update

2012-01-30T19:59:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since we've graced the web with any sailing stories. Many people have asked how we've faired through the moody weather. We are okay. As many of you have seen, there have been multiple storms in the Northwest this winter. The first storm knocked our boat around a bit, breaking our bow line and slamming our boat against the dock. We've replaced all lines and retied everything multiple times. Other than a few birds seeking refuge on deck, we have been "normal". We've had water and power almost all season, our new heater is warmer and the boat is dry! Our new slip has proved to be much nicer as we pull on our moorings instead of swaying around violently.

More posts to follow. During these cold months the news may be far in between.

Thank you for peeking in.

Holiday Soiree

2011-12-06T10:32:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Boat Parade was last weekend! Thank you all who came. Such fun!

Terry and Brooklyn with Whisper

Watching the boats come in

The WINNER!

New Slip

2011-10-17T15:47:00.000-07:00

We moved just a few doors down but now we have a nice dock box and a downwind slip! Winter may just be a little nicer this year.

A "Crappy" Job

2011-10-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

Many online forums for Hunter Sailboats report holding tank issues. The aluminum is weak and untrustworthy and many people report problems with the tanks as well as the lines into the head. We decided not to wait until it broke and replace ours. After replacing lines, adding a few gadgets,and a few disgusting spills we have a new holding tank which is 5 gallons more than the old one! So far no major leaks...lets hope it stays that way.

new holding tank

The new meter that will tell us how much waste and fresh water we have aboard!

Whisper from the Air

2011-09-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

At least once a year someone must climb the mast, do a good inspection and change any burned out lights. On our boat that means me, Nicole. As scary as it is to be dangling from a line swaying back and forth atop a fiberglass giant and a potentially painful landing, the view is simply breathtaking!

Our neighborhood

Climbing Frenchman Coulee

2011-09-06T10:15:00.000-07:00

We took a semi-annual climbing trip with Travis and Laura over Labor Day. The goal was to climb the Icicle Canyon in Leavenworth but alas it was full so we made an impromptu plan B and headed to the desert.

Frenchman Coulee is in the smack dab middle of Washington near the famous "Gorge". Climbing is much easier on the basalt rather than the crystal granite of Icicle Canyon. We will definitely climb here again!

Orcas Island

2011-08-29T20:32:00.000-07:00

Once again we ventured to the San Juans, this time to Orcas Island. Our goal was to make it to Doe Bay by sun down the first day. Doe Bay is a rocky shored little retreat on the far east side of the Island. It is home to a quirky little resort where most food is grown on site and the grounds are a web of trails leading to various yurts, cabins, tent sites and relaxation areas. A native of the area informed us of a thick fog that often covers the local region and surely he was right as we found ourselves fogged in the entire morning. After a delicious breakfast at the local organic cafe, we left in search of brighter weather.

About 8 nautical miles northwest is Eastsound, Orcas Island which was sunny and much more lively. It is worth noting, Fishing Bay was difficult to anchor in and has a very sandy bottom. There are also NO public moorings, only a public dock available for recreational use. Overall, our stay in Eastsound was pleasant. The town is artsy, inviting, expensive and entertaining, plus we caught a bioluminescent show at night thanks to the red tide.

Doe Bay Coordinates:

48° 38' 28" N 122° 46' 51" W

Eastsound Coordinates: 48°41′48″N 122°54′15″W

Doe Bay Beach

Games at Anchor!

Eastsound, Orcas Island visitors dock

Jackpot! We found a restaurant broadcasting the Seahawks vs. Broncos game!

Old school anchor

Coming home...

Cone Islands

2011-08-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

Directly off the coast of Cypress there lie a small group of rocky islands named The Cone Islands. We noticed the little rocky retreats are beaming with life including underwater reefs, seals, and dolphins.

There appeared to be no safe place around the islands to anchor so sailors must moor at Sinclair or Cypress and use smaller vessels to explore.

Cypress Island

2011-08-21T16:24:00.000-07:00

In our quest to continue exploring the San Juan Islands, we headed out for an overnight trip to Cypress. The island is in the Salish Sea off the coast of Washington and is only 8.5 square miles in size. Like some of the other islands we've visited, Cypress is partially a state park and is covered in trails leading to obscure lakes and hidden coves. In our opinion, a fantastic place to explore!

Coordinates: 48°34′28″N 122°42′16″W

The view on the way. This shot is between Gomez and Sinclair.

Eagle Harbor- 14 mooring buoys available

Mozart and candle light!

Duck Lake

Boat Names 2

2011-08-07T22:30:00.000-07:00

That's right! The boat name game is back!

Where!?

Westport, WA

2011-07-25T13:43:00.000-07:00

Captain Steve of the Hula Girl

Lucky catch.

yum, yum!

It was our semi-annual fishing trip in Westport this month. All the brothers and sister-in-laws get together with whomever wants to join in, then we head off the coast to catch some deep sea delights. Our choice vessel is the "Hula Girl", captained by Steve Westwick and his first mate Jason. This year we fished for Salmon, Rock Bass and Cod.

New Addition!

2011-07-24T14:12:00.000-07:00

Travis and Laura Jordan, July 23, 2011

This weekend we attended a beautiful wedding at the family farm in Palisades, WA. The Jordan family has a new addition. Congratulations you guys! Heres to many, many happy years together!

Bottom Paint

2011-07-14T21:12:00.000-07:00

We pulled Whisper out of the sea to pay some attention to her hull, and it was long overdue. After much work sanding and filling in little holes carved out by Sea Urchins, we got her finished. Now she is a whole knot faster!

We had Mussels, Clams, Shrimp, Gunnels and Sea Urchins on our keel.

Dinner?

On the hard, getting ready for sanding

Adam's sharpened prop!

All CLEAN!

Back in the water she goes.

Guests Aboard

2011-07-11T16:47:00.000-07:00

Bill and Mom with us at dinner at Boundary Bay Brewery

Choosing this lifestyle has caused having guests to be a unique experience. We have no shower, microwave or television aboard which isn't the best selling point as a host. Many boats have these amenities but for now all we can boast of is beautiful sunsets, internet access and morning coffee/breakfast (plus plenty of laughs and love). It is always fun to watch people approach Whisper and say, "Whoa! What do I hold onto?" or "How do you use the toilet?" or "I feel strange, this house is rocking!" We cry in empathy as guests smash their toes off the odd floor deign and laugh as they try to "close" the door to the head or crawl awkwardly out of the hatch as if it were a dog door.

It's always a pleasure to have company and share memories together. Hotel Jordan is open!

Thank you Mom and Bill for visiting! If you ever want a place to crash on the way to Canada again, you have one. ;-)

July 4th

2011-07-05T22:49:00.000-07:00

My dad came to visit for the 4th of July! We had such a great time visiting, eating, sailing, shopping and enjoying the sunshine. What a fantastic way to spend the holiday weekend!

Summer Sunset

2011-07-01T08:15:00.000-07:00

Good Neighborhood Perk

2011-06-21T08:07:00.000-07:00

While walking one day, we saw a vessel in a public slip at the docks. These fishermen open thier boat up to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You pay by the pound and its all freshly caught that week! Yum Yum Yum!!!

If you're in Bellingham, head to gate 7 and look for this boat.

Flags

2011-06-18T12:03:00.000-07:00

They say flags are the universal language of the sea. We have been collecting flags for Whisper and found the selection to be overwhelming! There are flags for everything; patriotism, drinking, scuba diving, plundering, peace, small pox, and the list goes on. We've had a ball finding new and exciting banners to fly!

Memorial Day

2011-06-01T20:32:00.000-07:00

We had a special visitor over Memorial Day Weekend. It was so nice to see him and explore the city through new eyes. We miss you Clay! You're always welcome back! :-)

Ryan Stiles at the Upfront Comedy Club!

Billy

2011-05-16T23:53:00.000-07:00

After a long fight with a ruthless illness, our dear friend Billy Dog has passed away. He had been by our sides since our first date, seeing us through ups and downs, moving all over the country, waiting patiently as we left him behind on our travels, and graciously participating in so many of our adventures. He kept us laughing and always loving. We will miss him deeply.

_________________________________________________________

"Dogs...do not ruin their sleep worrying about how to keep the objects they have, and to obtain the objects they have not. There is nothing of value they have to bequeath except their love and their faith."-Eugene O'Neill-

Zuanich Park

2011-04-28T21:28:00.000-07:00

The marina is surrounded by Zuanich Park which has become our backyard in a sense. The area is full of joggers, bikers, homeless people scrounging for food, dogs, kite boarders... you name it!

ENJOY!

Boat Shoes

2011-04-09T10:30:00.000-07:00

There is a trend we've picked up on while watching other sailors at work. Shoes! These special kicks are usually leather or canvas with pronounced stitching and simple laces. At first we said we would never buy shoes just for the boat and our regular white soled shoes were just fine. Then we put a pair on and gave in.
They are comfortable, non slip and don't scuff the boat! How did we almost miss out on this? Does this mean we are becoming real sailors?
;-)

Spring's Sprung

2011-03-31T21:56:00.000-07:00

The Port of Bellingham and the Whatcom County Parks and Rec Department have done a wonderful job with landscaping around the marina grounds. After a very long winter, we're happy spring is here!

Whisper Gets a Bath

2011-03-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

before

after

After sitting all winter at the docks collecting dirt, our boat finally got a good bath and a wax. We even had the opportunity to replace dock lines and jib lines, inspect and rewrap the anchor and clean our rigging! Spring cleaning? "Yes, please!"

Start of Boating Season

2011-03-20T22:02:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, Nicole and I went to the Anacortes Boat show with my boss David (we had a bit of car trouble but didn't let it stand in the way). The boat show had about 70 boats of all shapes and sizes but as you know, the ones that caught our eye were the sailboats. Big or small, we looked at them all. After talking to the vendors and the boat owners, we had lunch at Anthony's. On the way home I picked up some sweet dive gear. It was a good day.

Dream boat #1

David and I in the engine room of a monster yacht.

Captian of "A Lil' R&R" who is planning on sailing this boat to the Bahamas in spring.

Custom built wood sloop.

Imagine this thrown in a storm?

Captain's chair of the S.S. Enterprise

Shower on right, toilet on left.

Anthony's for Lunch

Then today after a long winter in a boat that never left the dock, we decided it was a nice enough day to hit the high sea. I hope this weekend is a taste of what this season is going to bring.

Tsunami

2011-03-11T10:19:00.000-08:00

We woke today at 4:00am frantically listening to the weather radio and waiting for any evacuation warning for the San Juan area and/or Bellingham. The weather band reported a surge warning in our area and said to avoid marinas and harbors, but no evacuation necessary. After deliberating the consequences and looking at tide tables, we decided to periodically check the radio because the alert was so small.

Bellingham did get a surge but the marina only experienced moderate water level increases. Thanks to the wide protection of islands, there was little worry. We are grateful.

Our hearts and prayers are with Japan.

Boat Names

2011-03-06T21:21:00.000-08:00

People put a lot of time into naming thier vessels. Check out some we've found around our neighborhood!

The Battle Against Mildew Continues....

2011-02-18T13:30:00.000-08:00

The wind, the rain, the sea, the CONDENSATION! Other sailors talk of it, "Hello, you live on water in the northwest, there's bound to be mildew."

Winter has caused Whisper to become a little petri dish in a sense. With 3 of us living on this vessel (Adam, myself and the the dog), condensation has become our biggest problem over these cold months. We open compartments and find little batches of penicillin hiding in corners. It is never a pleasant surprise. The good news is it has gotten better since November but it is not gone yet.

We have tried many tactics to approach this tiny enemy. So far, the greatest tools against the moisture is extreme ventilation and keeping the boat a constant temperature. Fans, heaters, anti mildew cleaners, and driair beads have worked wonders.

If you are living a boat or planning on it, be warned of the need to monitor every crack and crevice. We will keep you informed as to what works best and please share ideas if you know other ways to control this issue.

A Serving of Veggies for Whisper

2011-02-03T09:27:00.000-08:00

There are so many obstacles for living a low impact life.Our modern society is based on petroleum products and consumption. Is it even possible to live a different way?

In a boat of any kind a big obstacle is usually fuel. Our boat runs off diesel which includes our heater in the winter months. Our goal was to make a switch to biodiesel for at least part of the system and we found a place that sells it!

That's right, now our home is heated by VEGETABLES!

Mission possible.

A Little Extra Insulation

2011-01-11T19:44:00.000-08:00

The snow has come yet again to Bellingham. The harbor gleams in the morning as the light bounces off the thin layer of frozen sea water and the vessels sleep with inches of snow layered on top. We struggle to keep our sweating hull dry and chip ice away in hopes of maintaining a clear path to exit the boat.

As abnormal as the weather may be, the up side is the extra bit of insulation provided by the snow. Who'd of thought snow would be our greatest ally in the dead of winter?!

Hope your staying warm, where ever you may be reading this from!

Christmas in Wenatchee

2011-01-01T19:50:00.000-08:00

We went to the farm for Christmas this year. Travis and Laura came out and we had a big dinner, a fire, and lots of good memories! Happy Holidays to all!

Holidays on Whisper

2010-12-23T12:29:00.000-08:00

It was our first holiday season aboard. We bought a little "tree" and lit it up with the chart table's map light. The marina was empty for most of December, as most people left to go celebrate with their families for a few months. It was quiet, peaceful, festive, heart warming and oddly strange. Happy Holidays to all! May your days be bright!

Cookie Exchange Prep

2010-12-15T19:17:00.000-08:00

Preparing 160 cookies on a boat!? What a task! It was the 2nd annual cookie exchange hosted by Adam's Aunt Kathy this year. Everyone brings 12 dozen cookies, plus gifts to exchange. I, Nicole, made pedicure kits and no bakes.

The Mysterious Painting

2010-12-07T09:50:00.000-08:00

When we bought Whisper we noticed a little painting, roughly the size of a postcard hanging on the wall in the cabin. It is quite enchanting, as we don't know where it came from or where the scene is. We don't think the scene is from our area. We pondered moving it or replacing it with another picture but it has grown on us. Who painted it? Where was it painted? Why did the seller leave it for us?

What do you think?

"Skipper, we're takin' on water!"

2010-11-29T17:07:00.000-08:00

Our friends Thom and Christina asked us to housesit over Thanksgiving and we decided it would be a good time to open up all compartments and air them out for a week. Thats when we found we had a very serious problem.

We first discovered our rear berth had been harboring mildew despite our efforts to keep it clean. We also found our bildge pump had been collecting water and not emptying properly. And lastly we realized a sealed compartment in our V-Berth was filling with water from the leaky anchor box. The mildew growing was the same toxic stuff that grows in flooded areas like New Orleans...bad stuff!

Thanks to bleach, Bellingham Hardware Sales, and our friends hospitality we were able to resolve the problem and fix the issues. We sponged over 4 gallons of water taken aboard (not too bad), fixed the achor box, cleaned up all the surfaces and devised a system to control mildew.

Adam getting ready to cut out a access for the forward compartment. We had no idea what we would find.

Inside the sealed compartment, we found over 2 gallons of water and lots of toxic mildew.

Airing out the compartment.

Adding a airpocket style barrier to the rear berth.

Cleaning the bildge

Rage from the North

2010-11-18T10:42:00.000-08:00

If you have followed this blog for long, you may have heard of the Nor'easter that blows in from the Arctic. It brings cold, fierce winds and snow in the winter. As fall matures and winter approaches, the Nor'easter becomes more frequent. Two weeks ago, the first winds came in the night. We heard it like a freight train moving through the marina, rocking violently through the masts of the boats. Whisper rocked like she was on open water and woke us with rigging slapping. The sound is like a deep growl or a howling voice. The first tantrum lasted about 12 hours before subsiding, and has returned every few days to rage over the bay and Northern Cascade Mountains.

Since then we have learned quickly how winter may be. Snow is expected on Saturday and the Nor'easter is bringing it.

Sucia Island Fajitas Recipe

2010-11-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

Combine:

1/2 lb ground turkey
1/8 cup chopped onion
1/2 chopped yellow potato
1/2 red tomato
Spices to taste

Place ingredients in a foil casing and place on outdoor grill. Cook for 20 min, stirring occasionally. DO NOT flip over.

When finished cooking place on tortillas with beans, sour cream(dairy free), salsa and lettuce.

Enjoy in the cockpit or on deck, under the stars!

NiCoLe'S sUpRiSe PaRtY!

2010-10-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

On Friday October 22nd, Whisper was commandeered.

Dawn and Jessica

Nicole, Adam, Moe, Jessica, Dawn and Brian

A coincidental picture

Moe

Bellingham Via Sucia Island

2010-10-07T22:28:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we sailed the boat down from Blaine to her new home in Bellingham. We left at 4:00pm on Saturday evening in the hopes of making it to Sucia Island by dark. Sucia is a small state park in the San Juan Islands and is unihabited by people. The only way to reach the island is by personal watercraft as not even ferries stop there. By sunset we were 3 nautical miles away. With GPS and running lights, we were able to navigate over the reefs and passages in the dark. We found a great anchorage spot and made dinner under the stars bobbing around in the water.

9:00am Sunday morning we headed out after breakfast to sail to Bellingham following the tide. The day was chilly but good sailing. Baby seals were playing in our wake the whole way, and a family of dolphins followed us all the way from Matia Island to Lummi Island. The islands were stunning and every turn we were reminded of what a beautiful place we live. We made landfall at 5:30pm and found out just how spoiled we were in Blaine (see pics below). Although we will miss Blaine and the friends we made, we look forward to the adventures Bellingham has in store. Thanks for all the memories guys, Blaine is so close that goodbyes are not in order. We will be back!

Our home of 4 months

Leaving our old slip...

On our way to Sucia Island

Making Fajitas on the BBQ at Sucia Island

Billy perked up when he smelled the yummies cookin'.

Sucia Island Fajitas...We will post this recipe if you'd like!

Sucia from our anchorage point.

Lummi Island sailing into Bellingham Bay

Our new slip was far from perfect. A little different from Blaine! We just keep telling ourselves...LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! right? ;-)

Sun setting on our way to Sucia Island

Sucia Island in the morning

"And He Takes the GOLD!"

2010-10-04T22:25:00.000-07:00

Our neighbor Ross has been racing his boat, Zen No Zen this past sailing season. His custom vessel is super fast and smooth. Many people have crewed his boat during races, including us one weekend. Saturday morning, he pulled in after his final race as winner overall for this racing season! His wife Dorian had decorated his slip to celebrate when he made landfall. Congratulations, Zen No Zen!

"Climbing" the Mast

2010-09-27T20:56:00.000-07:00

Ross: "Hey, good morning! Want to climb my mast!?"

Nicole: "You better talk to my husband before you talk to me like that, Ross."

Ross: " Ha Ha! No, please. I really need someone to change my weather meter. Come on, its fun!"

Nicole: " If its so much fun than why don't you do it?"

Ross: "You're lighter."

Nicole: "True. Okay...but you owe me."

Ross: "GREAT! Here, come put this on.." *He takes out a nylon, stadium chair looking device with a few tears.*

Nicole: "Uhh. Is this safe?

Ross: "Sure it is! We've got two safety ropes tied to you anyway. Don't worry, its fine!"

Nicole: "Oh god, I haven't even had coffee yet."

*Soon Ross and Jim are awkwardly hoisting Nicole up in the questionable device. Adam wakes and comes outside to see his wife dangling from his neighbors boat.*

Nicole: " Hey this is cool, I can see the whole marina and out into the bay! I could do this for a living!"

Adam: " I think climbing masts for a living is illegal in Washington State, Nicole."

*laughter erupts from the dock*

Refridgeration Blues

2010-09-05T14:53:00.000-07:00

You hear people say it, "A fridge is a must have for a live aboard." Its a place to put all of life's sweetest amenities like ketchup, ice cubes, and fresh caught fish! That's why we were so bummed when ours finally bit the dust. For the past 6 weeks we have been putting giant ice blocks in the refridgeration box to keep our food from spoiling. This was only a mediocre fix as the ice would often melt faster than we could buy it.

We soon found how hard finding a custom fridge for a boat is. They often cost over $1000 and are difficult to install. But after the 17th ice block melted away with our patience, we broke down and purchased a new one. The only problem was the unit wasn't made for our boat so Adam had to modify it with about $50 of gear from the local hardware stores. Finally, after mucho dinero and cussing... it works! Who needs an extended education anyway? Right?! ;-)

Maybe, just maybe...Cold food is worth it!

This tiny spot is where the unit hides.

This little devil costs over $1000 (+ pain and suffering). Free to a good home.

Putting the "Eek" in Teak!

2010-08-14T14:27:00.000-07:00

We were told teak is hard to maintain on a boat so when we purchased Whisper, the lack of teak was a selling point. Still, the wood had become dull and lifeless so we took upon the task of refinishing it. A month later, she looks GREAT! Here's the process...

#1: Identify teak that needs redone. Make sure there will be nice weather and you have all the supplies. Consider some form of alcohol essential.

#2. Remove all boards and plates from the boat and clean them thoroughly.

#3: Sand each individual piece. Over and over and over and over.

#4: Apply first coat of stain or varnish. We stained first but we recommend varnishing, NO STAIN!

#5: Let dry for 24 hours.

#6: Apply additional coats, allowing for time to dry between coats. This takes DAYS, this is where your beverage comes in. ;-)

#7: When all coats are dry, secure boards back on panels and reattach to boat. Screws will fall overboard...

#8: Enjoy your new teak!

Wyoming Roadtrip 2010

2010-08-10T07:22:00.000-07:00

We are back home after a trip to Wyoming to see family and friends! Thank you all for your hospitality, we miss you and have so many good memories to take home.

Fairmont Hotsprings, Montana pitstop

Mmmmm, Simone's mom made us breakfast!

Ol' Cheyenne, WY

80's night reunion as the Martini Bar

Sleeping under the stars

Cheyenne Hookah Bar

Old friends together again!

The Daddy of em' All!

Picnic/BBQ with the Paines!

Our second family!

Chris wowing us with his steller talent!

Who wants to pay for a hotel when getting lost is free?

The End

Americanada's Birthday Bash, 2010!

2010-07-12T16:10:00.000-07:00

July 3rd, our neighbors dock box...

Blaine's famous 4th of July Parade

David and his family

Perci the Bulldog

We woke up July 1st to a bustling harbor filled with visitors from all over. People were busy making food and decorating their vessels for a long weekend. Since Blaine is a border town, they get fireworks from Canada Day (July 1st) and July 4th. For 5 days the tiny town of 3,770 people turns into a huge party complete with a parade, car show, cook off, and festival. "I float" was a huge potluck in which every other dock box had food and booze for the taking. The sun finally came out, the wind filled sailor's sails and Blaine Marina was flooded with wonderful people. July is a wonderful month indeed. Happy Birthday America!...okay, and Canada...

P.S. Rick, Janis, Lori and Dave... bring The Bordeaux back soon!

We hear her whisper, "Sail me, please."

2010-06-29T10:10:00.000-07:00

We took Whisper out for a sunset sail a couple days ago. It was her first voyage with only us aboard. We got up to 8.5 knots and felt the power this tiny vessel is capable of.

Lessons learned:

-Secure ALL items in hull...including kitchen knives. When you think they are stowed properly, check again. And then again after that.

-Make sure to have gloves when pulling lines.

-Releasing the lines on the traveller will slow the boat down.

Bruises and Beauty

2010-06-17T16:03:00.000-07:00

*Lets paint the picture*

You wake in the morning to the sound of seagulls and bells, the boat swaying gently in the water. Sometimes the rain and wind pound the boat and the trickle of water running off sounds like a small fountain outside the window. The weather is cloudy but calm, the sailboat is cold but your bed is cozy. When you finally must up the motivation to get out of bed you wrestle out of the rear berth in a tangle, smashing your head AND your lower back off the poorly designed ceiling. Priority #1:coffee. You grab the lighter from the cupboard and then *flick flick* on the alcohol burner. Nothing, not even a tiny flame. You are out of fuel again, oh joy!

This is how our daily life has been, a mix of "oh S*!@#" and "wow, this is so amazing!" Warning: this is not a lifestyle for those with no sense of humor. Everyday is a learning experience as we explore all the nooks and crannies of Whisper. We wake up in the night often, not used to the sounds of the wind in the mast or the birds landing on deck taking shelter from passing storms. The proximity to nature is refreshing and beautiful, even in the harbor. There are so many wonderful things about living on a boat, things only someone willing to wake up to a cold room and full holding tank can appreciate.

Week One- no longer landlubbers-

2010-06-03T16:22:00.000-07:00

As week one aboard Whisper comes to a close, we look back on the first days of this new adventure.

Last week was spent clearing out the last belongings from our former "landlubber" lifestyle. Shutting the apartment door was almost symbolic in the sense we have chosen to close the door on conventional life to venture into a lifestyle we know little about. The past 1 1/2 years have been about finding a house and suddenly we were moving but not to a house. There were many hours of disbelief as we tiredly packed boxes and dropped off items to shelters and Goodwill. Are we really doing this? Why does this feels so right? When we started moving things aboard Whisper, it felt more real.

Then on Friday mom, Travis, Laura and Simone came to help sail the boat from Anacortes to Blaine. Usually 6 people crammed in a sardine can would be uncomfortable, but there was no awkwardness. We left Anacortes with fair weather and had a beautiful yet chilly sail north. We even saw dolphins and seals and only hit one rough patch of water on the west side of Lummi Island. The bad part, it took 6 hours and we had brought all JUNK food. When we made landfall we carpooled (there was only one car which seated 2) in shifts to the nearest Mexican restaurant. Our massive plates of hot food and margaritas made the cold sail a little more worth it.

Since then we have set up camp aboard. Everyday has been a learning experience and adjustment but all worth while. The biggest adjustments: no television, no house keys, no microwave, the tiny toilet and even smaller holding tank, the broken heater, and the lack of internet. Saying we have chosen a simpler lifestyle would be an understatement, we will keep you posted. ;-)

2010-05-18T20:25:00.000-07:00

This blog has seen us through many journies. In light of our new livestyle we have decided to change the tone of this blog a bit. The adventure blog is morphing to cradle the newest adventure of all, living aboard and beyond. We will still continue to post stories of our many adventures but we now dedicate this blogspot to Whisper!

Meet Our New Home

2010-05-17T22:27:00.000-07:00

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bow lines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover" -- Mark Twain

Before her pressure wash. They actually found shrimp growing on the keel! Is that good luck or bad luck?

After her bath! Blister FREE!

Adam motoring around the harbor on our first trip aboard.

Galley and Rear Berth

Meet Whisper! Our new home. Not long ago our lives could have taken a very different turn but a month later, here we are. We have sold everything down to the dishes in the cupboard and bought a sailboat. She is a Hunter 30T with sails full of potential. What will these winds bring?

April Visitors!

2010-04-30T09:37:00.001-07:00

MMmmmm Breakfast!

Birch Bay

Eddy and Michael at the Bellingham Farmers Market

Our friends Eddy and Michael came to Washington this last week for a reunion of sorts. Nothing like hanging out and sharing life with old friends!

Sunset Sailing

2010-04-20T08:14:00.000-07:00

Mt. Baker from Birch Bay

Hanging out after a long day of fishing

We went to Blaine, WA the other day to sail with Adam's Boss David. The boat is over 25ft and is usually raced by David and his dad. What a great way to spend the evening.

Long time searching...

2010-04-12T09:23:00.000-07:00

As every good adventure must come to end, so does the search for a house. After over a year and a half of searching and making offers on more than five homes we are giving up for the time being. We realized we have not been completely honest with ourselves and have taken on too much. Our education, a project home (lets face it, that's what we can afford), and working 3 jobs between us is just plain over doing it. We are sad to let this dream go but know in the future we can look again when we are better prepared.

We started this blog as an adventure blog and perhaps it's important to admit when an adventure has come to an close. We look forward to what the future holds and accept all lessons learned as valuable!

For every end so is there a beginning.

March Madness

2010-03-25T12:37:00.000-07:00

Wow! Guess you all can tell we have been busy bodies due to the lack of posting. March has been a very busy month for us which has been a blessing in many ways. Much of our time has been spent working and trying to get into a house. Unfortunately there is not much of an update in the housing area of our lives. Many of the homes we have been looking at are short sales which take so long to close the process boggles the mind.

A few weeks ago we headed to Seattle to the Henry Weinhards St. Patty's Day 6k Run for Autism. Nicole ran the race (42:07 min) and we all enjoyed the Irish festivities afterward. With 15,500 people crammed into Seattle Center it was quite a unique experience. They had bagpipers to cheer the runners on and a huge St. Patty's festival following the competition. We had such a great time we may try to make it a tradition.

This is dedication...

FINISHED!

Other than that, we have been little worker bees. :-) We hope you all are doing well.

2010-03-11T15:08:00.000-08:00

Happy Anniversary

To: Nicole
From: Adam

2010-03-09T15:33:00.000-08:00

Spring

2010-03-06T09:41:00.000-08:00

While everywhere else in the USA is experiencing rain, snow, freezing temps and storms, here in Bellingham it's warm and sunny. Flowers are blooming and trees are budding bringing in one of the earliest springs in history. Mimicing the spring, today we have chosen to celebrate our two year wedding anniversary early. We have no plans but to be in each others company in the sunshine. Mother nature could not have given us a better day to celebrate the love that has brought us so much joy and fulfillment over the past two years.

2010 Winter Olympics and Team USA

2010-02-22T13:51:00.000-08:00

The "Ontario" tent

Larrabee State Park

The Viewpoint hike

We had some family in town this last weekend. Bjorn and Amanda flew in from Wisconsin for a long weekend to see the Winter Olympics. Canada did an AWESOME job hosting it this year. Perhaps the highlight was Amanda getting us all tickets to the Victory Ceremony Sunday where we sang the US National Anthem as Bode Miller took the gold!

Downtown Vancouver was booming with concerts, T.V.'s displaying the events, and fans dressed up cheering their countries on. The streets were alive with a celebratory ambiance. It feels the city is an arc of peace and for 2 weeks the world has forgotten about all wars, corruption and suffering.

Since our visitors had a couple days we took them around our "neighborhood".

And of course one can't visit Seattle and Bellingham without seeing the sites like Larrabee State Park, Pikes Place Market and Bruce Lee's Grave.

Birch Bay State Park

2010-02-08T08:25:00.000-08:00

We headed to Birch Bay State Park last weekend to have a picnic and campfire by the beach. The park is only 20 mins from our house but feels a tinge different than Bellingham's waterfront parks. The weather was perfect for a beach walk. People were out digging for clams and walking dogs. You can see the Canadian Cascades, the San Juan Islands and some dramatic cliffs from the main beach.

In regards to the house, we are still waiting on an answer form the sellers bank.

Getting closer...

2010-01-26T10:34:00.000-08:00

The sellers bank is officially reviewing our file. Next come the counter offer, our inspection and closing! Geeze, this process is a long one. Thanks for all your prayers and good energy!

Cross your fingers...

2010-01-13T11:42:00.001-08:00

Things are pretty mellow here at the moment. For those of you who haven't heard, we had made an offer on a house back in November and are still waiting on an answer. The house is a short sale and in preforecloser which makes for a good deal but a lot of waiting.

The house is 3 Bedroom, 1 bath, backing up to 20 acres of grazing land that can never be developed. We are trying not to get our hopes up because we have been trying to buy a house for awhile now.We feel this might be the right one.

Cross your fingers...and your toes...

Mt. Baker Snowboarding!

2010-01-03T09:23:00.000-08:00

Mt. Baker Ski Resort is only a 45min drive from our house and yet we had never been till yesterday. The mountain is an active volcano which you would never expect while visiting it from the resort. The snow is deep and wet, the lifts are many and the crowds are usually small. Although yesterday was packed because all of Bellingham had read the snow report. 20 inches of fresh powder and 7 more inches while we were boarding made for smooth ride.

We hadn't been in over a year so our bodies are suffering but it is worth it.

A little love goes a long way. In every sense.

2009-12-28T21:39:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Grand Junction, Colorado

2009-12-28T07:31:00.000-08:00

Dave filling up our gas.

Our room!

Far too handsome of a pair!

A family tradition.

This year we drove to Grand Junction, Colorado for Christmas to see Nicole's side of the family. After driving over 20 hours we finally arrived to people we haven't seen in far too long. Granny and Papa hosted Christmas at their house and had prepared a FEAST and decorated inside and outside with holiday cheer. After Christmas, Grandpa took Adam and Clayton for a sight seeing adventure while the girls shopped after Christmas sales. We had an awesome time and enjoyed seeing everyone. Thank you all for a wonderful and memorable experience!

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-23T09:44:00.001-08:00

We wish you all seasons blessing!

Cookie Exchange 2009

2009-12-14T09:41:00.000-08:00

Kathie hosted a holiday cookie exchange this year, ladies only. We baked over 200 cookies (60+ were unintentional) and made displays. The rules are each person brings 12 dozens cookies wrapped in quality containers with a gift. Men can help prepare but can't attend. Simone came up from Seattle to participate too. It was a great way to start the holiday season!

The delivery boy!

The hostess with the mostess

Miranda's snowman mugs with rolled snowball cookies!

Simones flamingo lawn ornaments with mini french desserts tied around each neck!

2009-12-08T05:41:00.000-08:00

Breakfast with Dad at Little Cheerful Cafe in Downtown Bellingham

And things are off to being busy again! We did want to share with our readers what we have been up to the past 2 weeks. We took a Thanksgiving trip up to Canada and IKEA with Dad and Kathie and found some great ideas for a house, if we ever find one. It is tradition to drive up and visit IKEA to avoid the US black Friday. We have always wanted to come along but miss out! Well not this year!

Other than that, the weather has been blustery and cold. The nor'easter is relentless. The clear skies have made for amazing sunsets which is nice after a good month of rain.

Cookin' Up Batch 2 : Australia

2009-11-22T12:03:00.001-08:00

The beach pictures are from Nicole's camera in Glenelg on her way to Renmark. The rest of the time we spent in the same place.

The town square in Glenelg, SA

Glenelg Beach, South Australia

Swimming back to shore after jumping off the pier

Lifeguards in Glenelg.

Fun Fact:Lifeguards originated in Australia.

Penguins?

Glenelg Backpackers Beach Hostel

Chinatown in Adelaide

Playing with the family bird at Lindsey's BBQ

Aussie BBQ

Lindsey making us some DELICIOUS Aussie Cuisine.

The family we were staying with owns a vineyard. They sell their grapes to Angove and Banrock Station. If you have ever had their wines, chances are you have had the grapes from where we stayed!

Drive through liquor stores!

Angel the hula-hoping cookie monster!

The caravans at the Curtis house.

Slaving away...

Curtis Vineyard

Cruising a houseboat is the thing to do on the Murray River.

Bowling anyone?

Barney in the river.

Kayaking the Murray River.

Aussie Kevin and the famous floating bean bag.

Possums in the park.

The swans of the hidden lake.

Heading out to Hidden Lake.

More pics of Franks houseboat.

Yankee Kevin Nicole on leg 2 of our 30 hr journey home!

Australian roadsigns are ridiculous!

Roses:

~The laidback attitude of the locals~

~Tea time every 3 hrs~

~The facinating wildlife~

~Our first Aussie BBQ and Lindeys homemade Ketchup (sauce)~

~Fishing and swimming in the river after work~

~Kayaking the Murray River~

~The birds, Black Swans, Penguins, Parrots, Cockatoos, and Emus~

~Seeing our first Kangaroo in the wild~

~The ease of having stimulating conversation with both Kevins and the families~

~The Beaches~

~Australia's unique landscape. Hills, eucalyptus trees, sand, Jacaranda trees and vineyards~

Thorns

~The heat. 135 degrees is TOO HOT!~

~Driving seams like it takes an eternity~

~The flies are relentless and EVIL~

~ The mosies (mosquitos)~

~The dealiest snakes in the world. You can't even touch the dead ones without risk of losing a limb!~

Stems

~ Even in the unbearable heat in a cloud of flies, Australians are friendly and welcoming.~

~Australia makes you a tough person by just visiting.~

What a great trip. You can travel and be a tourist anyday but to live and work with the people in thier own home and spend time with thier families makes the journey priceless. Cheers Australia. We will be back!

Update from South Australia:

2009-11-14T19:29:00.000-08:00

The first kangaroo we saw together! This shot is priceless. Kangaroo's aren't as easy to spot as you think they would be.

The swans taking off from the hidden cove.

The work of Australia's most recent drought

In the stage on the outback boat.

Famous singers Frank Turton's "outback" riverboat.

Australia is an astounding place with untamed landscapes, open hearted people and an unique history. All houses are made of brick, rain water is drinking water, river shores and neighborhoods are dotted with eucalyptus trees, highway signs read kangaroo or koala crossing, deadly wildlife is never in shortage and the heat has been between 110 and 135 everyday so far. The 7 year draught has left people with a hopeless sentiment. More than 25% of orchards/vineyards have had to die from federal water restrictions.

We have seen a few kangaroos and today we went to find a koala but didn't see any. We have been staying in a families house associated with OXBO in South Australia. They have a custom harvesting business here aside from the US based OXBO and have welcomed workers into their home to work, sleep, eat, drink and relax with them. The stories are too many for this mere blog. They are fascinating people who are 100% Aussie.

Tomorrow we leave from Renmark and make the 19hr journey back to Sydney.

Aussie Language Lesson:

Cactus-Not Working
Tea-Dinner

Boot- Car Trunk

Bonnet- Hood of Car
Trolleys- Shopping Carts

Lollies- Candy

We will post more pics when we get home!

"Get out the passports, it's a go!"

2009-10-27T09:16:00.000-07:00

Adam will be leaving in 5 days for Australia with work. He starts in Adelaide, South Australia and then road trips it through the southern outback hopping from vineyard to vineyard for 3 weeks. I will fly down to Adelaide November 8th. This trip is unique because we will not be in the tourist part of Australia so much as real Australia. We do not know if we will see each other very much this trip which is the only negative side.

This is the most spontaneous thing we have done in awhile...next to jumping out of a plane.

P.S. Here are a few pictures of what South Australia looks like.

Autumn in Bellingham

2009-10-24T14:45:00.000-07:00

GIANT leaf that scared Billy!

Things have been very busy for us still so we apologize for time between posts.

OXBO has asked Adam to go to Australia in November! He does not know the details yet but will be sure to post when we know more. Cross your fingers for this sweet new adventure.

Let the Leaves Fall...

2009-10-13T16:13:00.000-07:00

Grandpa and Billy

NEWFY PUPPY!

We apologize for the length of time between posts but life has been crazy busy. We went over the mountains last weekend to see family and help dad pack to move. He is moving to the other house on the farm. This is the first move in over 40 years. Lots of work!

As we went through boxes and boxes of belongings we became grounded. How is it a person accumulates so much stuff over the years? Things we once thought so important were thrown in the truck for goodwill or burned. As we sifted through family memories and many of our own, we realized how much in life has changed. We smiled with the irony of autumn, releasing all old pieces to be reborn in some magical new stage of life. Leaves of the past falling but not forgotten. We can't wait to see what comes to life in spring!

Fortunately we also had some extra time this trip to visit with Mom. It was pleasant to sit around the fire drinking good wine and reminiscing. Grandpa is still improving and grows stronger everyday.

Seattle Weekend

2009-09-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

This is Gasworks. A big retired gas plant the city converted into a park. There is definitely something relaxing about it.

We headed down to Seattle last weekend to celebrate Simone's Birthday. That pretty much sums it up...

One Year Later...

2009-09-12T09:04:00.000-07:00

It has been a whole year since we landed in Bellingham. Somehow that doesn't feel right but the calendar says it's true. This has been the longest we have ever stayed in one place, dating OR married. When we first arrived we relied solely on the kindness of Kathy and Lavern and slowly we established good jobs and a nice place to live along with some lasting friendships, which may not have developed if we had moved elsewhere. We had a full year of memories. From visiting Aunt Dawn in Florida to moving apartments, and from people visiting to getting in touch with Adam's family. We have explored so much of the Pacific Northwest and now we couldn't imagine living anywhere else!

On a more personal update:

- Grandpa Boldt is doing MUCH better. He is able to eat now and is a lot stronger. Thank you to all who prayed for him and/or sent good energy his way!

- Adam has taken a week off of work to find a good flight school. In the chaos of indecision, he has decided to follow his passion. He will take an introductory flight in a helicopter tomorrow and will make his decision from there whether it's planes or helicopters.

Watch this 11 min. video of our first year here...

maybe you're in it...?!

Famous Man Next Door

2009-09-10T15:25:00.000-07:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

This guy lives on our block. We see him all the time.

The Sun Up Close

2009-09-02T21:57:00.000-07:00

Our sun seen through a special telescope. This picture did not capture any solar flares.

We were walking through the park the other day when we were greeted by a strange sign reading "Jupiter- takes 12 years to orbit the sun, has had the same storm occurring for 300yrs on surface and is the largest planet." Intrigued we walked on to find Saturn, Mars, Earth, Venus and Mercury ahead. The educational project was put on by a local astronomy club. They even had a group of telescopes pointing at the sun. You could see sun spots and solar flares! WICKED! And...we learned you can take pictures through a telescope!

Homeless

2009-08-27T00:16:00.000-07:00

One night we were sitting on our porch enjoying the sweet smell of sea air and dusk when we saw a strange man walking behind the bank (We can see the bank drive thru from our balcony). He was dressed normally pulling a roll along suitcase behind him. We watched as he rolled out a tarp behind a bush and laid down. We had heard coughing and rustling during the night before, but we never knew where it came from...now we do. Bellingham is a strange place.

Just had to share that.

Backyard Blackberries!

2009-08-17T10:32:00.000-07:00

In Bellingham one could never go hungry because food grows abundantly in ditches! In our backyard for example, we have a huge berry patch that is overflowing with juicy blackberries. After our ritual pinnacle game with Kathy and Lavern last night, we went out back to snatch some goodies from the patch! Pick em', eat em', freeze em' for winter!

On a more personal update, it was a tough weekend. Grandpa Boldt is in the hospital down in Seattle. He had emergency surgery on a hiatal hernia and a dead stomach. Most of the family drove in when the nurse told Grandma to say her goodbyes. Waiting is so hard when it's for someone you love. Luckily he had the best surgeon in the Northwest and is doing better. It is interesting how tragedy brings family together. It seams everyone, including us, are so busy...too busy, until something like this happens and everyone comes together united under a common love for one person. Keep this family in your thoughts.