On Summer Break

I haven't quit this blog...just taking a break. Its hard to find the time and motivation to post during the summer. That's a good thing when your retired. Winter will be back soon enough.

So far this summer we have spent several weeks out on the sailboat. A nice change - a very simple life. There is something nice about dropping anchor in a beautiful place and watching the world go by. Leisurely breakfasts on quiet sunny mornings. Doing all the dishes by hand. Electric lights on a 12 volt battery. Water is heated on an alcohol stove. Its really basic camping. Waterfront all the way. Other boaters you meet are generally friendly.

Going to and from shore for a hike or just exploring the shoreline in the dinghy. Mostly by rowing but sometimes using the small outboard when its too far to row. Visiting islands we haven't been to before. So far this summer we have been to places with interesting names like; Secret Cove, Smuggler's Cove, Jedidia Island, and Pirates Cove. You can find more info on the net. Some of them are Marine Parks. Even the busy harbour of Naniamo made for an interesting change of pace.

We had one large school of Dolphins over-take our boat, dive under just in time to avoid a collision then surface again a head of us. A fantastic site to see and hear. They are extremely fast and make a large splash each time they surface and dive under again.

At other times when we get out in a strong wind...things are quite different. The boat is readied for a rough ride with all loose breakables on the floor of the cabin. At these times you really know your alive. As the boat moves up and down in very large waves from the side, you feel it in the pit of your stomach like being on an elevator. We don't do a lot of that.

When were out on the boat we don't spend a lot of money. Perhaps less than we would staying at home. Not that boating is cheap in any sense of the word. There's moorage, insurance and maintenance. Perhaps $3,000 per year averaged over 5-10 years. Basic sailboats equipped for over-night trips start at about $15,000 and go up from there. Many of the boats we anchor close to are over $75,000.