Thursday, September 13, 2012

Is there Life After Cruising??……Yes, and the water is fine!!


While cruising we were most often asked about pirates.  The question has changed….we are now most often asked “What are you going to do now that you don’t have a boat??”   Well, Rosie and I are here to tell you that there is still fun and adventure after cruising!!!!
Afternoon Rain Shower
Since the sale of Serena Ray last June we feel we have successfully transitioned to “landlubbers”.  Our recent months have been filled with visits with friends and family, travel and the successful search for a few new toys!
Sue Gentry from Clarkston, WA

Holly (Sue's daughter) and the boys!!

Shamus, our 5-year old grandson
In July, we headed south, making our first stop in Seattle to take a test ride in the newest “hot” invention…a powered hot tub boat.  It was a beautiful Seattle day and we toured Lake Union, while soaking in 104 degree water.  If you are ever in Seattle, check out Hot Tub Boats.com,  on Lake Union…they will be running all winter!! 
Hot Tub Boat
Lake Union View from the Hot Tub!!
Leaving Seattle, we drove to Anaheim to join our oldest daughter Chelsey and her family for a week at the “Happiest Place on Earth”…..Disneyland.  We had accepted the challenge …… keeping up with our grandsons, Jayden and Ethan, hoofing around the park and taking in all the rides… Great FUN and it keeps you young!
Tower of Terror!!

The Disney Team

Finding Nimo

Cars Land...very popular!!

Great Ride!!!!


New York, New York
Grandma and Grandpa Won!!

After a week in LA, however, Rosie and I were in need of a few days of R&R so we headed for wine country (Lodi, CA) for a couple days and then slowly made our way north back to Blaine,  via Crater Lake.
 


August was filled with visits from friends, time with Lindsay and Shamus (youngest daughter and grandson), landscaping and a trip to Spokane, WA to check on the kids…Oh, almost forgot, and also to pick up a new “ride”, our Harley Ultra Classic.  We plan to trailer the Harley to Southern California this winter and tour the SW by motorcycle (we still have a desire to follow summer…a hang-over from the cruising life).
Jayden's basketball camp (#35)
Ethan...on the go!

Our New Ride!!
Not unexpected I’m sure for those who know us, we both still have a strong love of water.  It’s something we will never shake, we’re sure.  To appease our addiction, we just had to purchase a small boat for crabbing, fishing and just plain fun on the water.  Of note…We spent the last 5 years and over 10,000 miles cruising, first by sailboat and then motor vessel, at an average speed of 6 to 7 knots.  Our new vessel runs at 40+mph….what a difference!!!  The San Juan Islands were a day’s run for us before…it now only takes 30 minutes for us to reach Sucia Island!!

Gotta Love It!!
 
Most recently we had the opportunity to join long time friends Arne and Judy Jorgensen (Arne crewed aboard our sailboat Eager Dreamer to San Francisco in 2008) at Whistler Mountain in BC.  The weather was just perfect for mountain biking an extensive trail system and hikes at the summit (high 70’s at the summit!!).
Whistler Gondola

Hiking the Summit


We must admit, we have had a great summer here in Blaine….between our travel, friend visits and landscaping our property the summer season has flown by.  Fall is in the air here now and I see skiing in our future again.  Time to get the “tellies” waxed!!!
Until our next update…enjoy friends and family!!

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