It's a Long Shot II

43ft Hans Christian Ketch

Vessel Name: Long Shot II
Vessel Make/Model: Hans Christian 43T Ketch
Hailing Port: Victoria, BC
Crew: Doug & Susan Pickrell
About: Motley bunch includes Charlie, Riley & Saylor.
Home Page: http://longshot2.com
Social:
05 June 2014
31 May 2014
01 October 2013
10 September 2013 | Victoria
31 August 2013 | Deep Bay
28 August 2013 | Salish Sea
20 August 2013 | Oak Bay Marina
11 August 2013 | Oak Bay Marina
07 August 2013 | Oak Bay Marina
05 August 2013 | Downtown Victoria
03 August 2013 | Ship's Point Wharf
03 August 2013 | Juan de Fuca Strait
02 August 2013 | Day 18 Hawai'i to Victoria
31 July 2013 | Day 17 Hawai'i to Victoria
31 July 2013 | Day 16 Hawai'i to Victoria
28 July 2013 | Day 14 to Victoria
24 July 2013 | Day 9 to Victoria
22 July 2013 | Day 7 from Hawaii
18 July 2013 | Day 3 from Hawaii
15 July 2013 | One Day Out Of Kauai
Recent Blog Posts
05 June 2014

Hand Off!

31 May 2014

Are You Reading?

Hi There,

01 October 2013

Hustle & Bustle

For those of you who won't give up reading - c'mon, it's all boring now :)

10 September 2013 | Victoria

Back To Work

Doug and I enjoyed our last week of freedom while the kids got settled into their new routine at school. Saylor was pretty freaked at the idea that her parents would be going back to work soon and she might have to go with strangers to school. After three days with our new neighbours walking with us, [...]

31 August 2013 | Deep Bay

Great Time

Nice sail up the Strait but not near enough wind to really get going so it was a bit of a motor. Good to see Roger and hear the turmoil of the America's Cup and Oracle caught cheating. They'll be in for more turmoil when those crazy Kiwis make landfall in San Fran! We continued North and couldn't [...]

28 August 2013 | Salish Sea

At Sea Again

Hard to break the habit of blogging once we are out on the water so had to post something even if no one is reading anymore. We have fit right back in to life ashore although both Doug & I haven't started work yet. We've been busy getting the house back in order which should have been easy except [...]

Fake It

31 July 2013 | Day 17 Hawai'i to Victoria
Susan
We have two days to go and it's starting to sink in that our incredible journey will soon be over. This really was quite an amazing adventure starting with five and a half years of hard work. Once completed we would set sail having only had Hobie Cat and the odd sailing charter for sailing experience. There were many people who were willing to offer their negative opinions which always amazed me as they didn't even know us, nor did we ask for their opinions. To the guy in the boat yard who said, "That boat will never see the water!" and the HMCS Oriole Captain who said we should never set sail offshore, Doug says, "You can kiss my salty ass!" What I will remember the most in the lead up to departure was all my fellow Coasties who assured me we would be fine. As Koop said to me, "Sue, you're good. Just go!" There wasn't one CCG person who didn't think we could do it (at least they didn't tell me). We were so thankful for all the words of encouragement and prayers that were sent our way - we really can't thank you enough. Especially our weatherman John, who provided plenty of support combined with his own personality which was always well received! We've learnt so much, about ourselves, our children, other cultures - it really never was about the sailing. If you were to ask us if we knew how to sail, we'd still tell you we don't. We just fake it real good.

Of the five of us onboard, I am the only one that doesn't want to go back yet. I love being at sea and the time I have spent with my family is absolutely priceless. It's hard to believe how much the kids have changed right before my eyes. I love being around them - they really are great kids that make me smile every day. Rich and Colleen in Hawaii were so surprised that in 15 months, Doug and I never had a fight. It's all about teamwork - I could never exist without him.

We have so enjoyed everyone we met on this trip, from Cruisers to Locals to Krazy Kiwis. We made friendships that I know will stand the test of time. These Cruisers are such interesting people and there is an instant bonding even though they may be wealthy or living on a shoestring. The islands introduced us to cultures comprising of the most warm and friendly people. Even though we always tried to leave the islands better than we arrived, giving what we could offer, we always ended up leaving the richer for it. There are so many things we are thankful for, I'm so glad we didn't let other peoples' fears prevent us from fulfilling our dream.

ETA Victoria waterfront Friday pm
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