The beginning...

For those of you that did not follow our previous adventures…  Doug and I take turns writing as the time allows or whim motivates us.  You will find very different styles and focusses.  No editing on mine or you would never get it.  I write as my thoughts flow.  Lol  We hope you enjoy our adventures with us.

Sorry it has taken so long to get started but we will try to fill in some of the past. 

Doug & Cindy

How it came about…

Many of you know this part but many don’t so pardon the repetition or jump down till you find new info.

One day Dougs’s dad asked him when we were moving back to Forest Grove.   Had not planned to, no place to move to, all places rented...  Dad is doing quite well, doesn't seem to need us under his feet and definitely does not want us hovering over him. The wheels began turning in the brain and more God timing abounded. 

The boat concept pops back into our brains.  Has always been our dream to GO!  We couldn't afford boat and moorage fees if we were still living in a house, need to rent it to cover our other costs, friend and neighbor Lori lets us know she will be looking to move to gain a back yard for her two dogs, if she leaves the neighborhood it would be a serious detriment.  Suddenly we can see how this can work, but what to do with all our stuff???

We continued looking at boats online and start letting our minds wander.  November 17th my mom  came home from vacation and was disappointed with what is on the rental market, on the 19th a tenant in our duplex lets me know she will be moving out by Dec. 19^th.  Of course we could have taken this as “now we have a place to move to.”  But noooo, I call mom to see if she wants it and say we were planning on talking about the rest of this tomorrow (when I would see her anyway) but... don't buy anything... you can have, use, store any or all of our furniture and household goods- just let us know what you want, the 20th we made a whirlwind trip to PDX and FG for a ton of delayed/neglected business stops and to check out a boat, the top runner. We continued to look at others on line and they all paled in comparison. So we placed an offer and took possession December 30.

The working plan was to clean and do required repairs while she was in Portland since the slip rent was already paid for. Then early February we and the cats move aboard and sail river, getting used to her and our getting our sailing skills back. She is a very different boat, but we love the differences. From my point of view central heating, a separate shower, a pilothouse for total creature comforts. Doug's of course would be much more technical, things like unstayed masts, self tacking sails,  the ability to reef from the cockpit, an inboard engine, and good galley layout.  Ultimately cross the bar at Astoria and turn left for coastal cruising, until a parent needs us or it's no longer fun.  It will be nice to be able to duck into ports and visit with the many California family and friends that we have not had much time with in the last many years.  We can continue with the computer and the real estate biz as long as we stay in cell phone range.

We have gone on major purge mode of throwing out, recycling, give away.  Sister brought the horse trailer to haul stuff for mom, Teen Challenge took at least as much away, neighborhood has received a fair share and the paper recycling has been full weekly!  Major progress with much more to go.  Feels very freeing!

The survey showed a few big ones based on age of boat and last services.  Lots of others we want based on last experience where older and unused systems all break down at the worst times…  Diesel engine had no safety shut down system, does now.  We also added CO and fire alarms and extinguishers.  Several leaks in fluid systems, at least one we are still in search of, most systems out of date and needed service if not replacement. Doug has made many trips here to do much of the work.  Admittedly most were one person jobs and a second on the boat only adds the unneeded rock at the worst moment.  Ie dropped screws, etc.  But I still felt guilty that he was doing all that. 

Lori and I made a trip here to clean.  Boy were we impressed.  She did not need much.  All surfaces wiped down but most white rags came back white!  Almost unheard of. 

I will get more jobs as we go and consider most more fun than not.  Will replace 20 year old radar, add a wireless cell phone booster to the mast, and change the anchor lights to new led’s.  That’s when Doug gets to haul be up the mast using the sail halyards, winch and his muscles.  I love it up there besides I could never hoist him.  : )