I well remember the day, shortly after we had built our first and only new home, when Mike said, “Let’s sell everything, buy a boat and sail around the world.” Thinking, “Are you CRAZY?” and “You watch way too much YouTube,” but trying to be diplomatic, I simply said, “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!” After some arguments, some pouting, and some calmer, rational thought, we eventually decided to take a boating class with a captain on a boat for two days, just to see if we liked it. At the end of that time, I could begin to see the possibility of boating, but no possibility (for me at least) of leaving everything behind and living perpetually on a boat. You know how that story ended: We purchased a boat, and for the last 6 summers, we have enjoyed cruising in the Pacific Northwest.

We have enjoyed the process of learning new skills. We have developed teamwork, as a 42 foot trawler requires both of us to manage the many facets of cruising. We have grown in ability and in confidence, and we have learned what NOT to do in many situations (sometimes the hard way). Through it all, we’ve developed as individuals, as a couple, and as boat hosts to the many friends who joined us for a few days or a week aboard Voyager. What a special experience to share!

This year as we cruised north to Alaska, we suspected that it could be the last time we will make this journey. That premonition made the trip even sweeter, and we enjoyed [almost] every minute of it. As we neared the end of the trip, we both agreed that yes, this was the time to let go and sell our beautiful boat. Why? Many reasons. We have family and a community at home that we love dearly. We have 4, count ’em, 4! grandchildren. They don’t stop growing and developing while we’re gone, and we have missed out on months of their precious sayings and antics. We just don’t want to miss out on any more, and we don’t want them to miss out on our sayings and antics either! So there you have it. It’s been a really great run, but it’s time to focus on other things. There is some sadness at leaving something good behind, but there will be lots of joy ahead. This change in direction has been the result of weighing and contemplating the options, and choosing the greater of two goods. We love boating, but we LOVE our family more.

And so, this blog also draws to a close. It has been fun to share our adventures and mishaps, and our writings will be a fun way to remember, as we re-read them in the future. I can hear us now: “Gosh, did we really do that?” Yes, we did, and I am so glad that we did.