What a beautiful boat. What a beautiful journey. It hasn't always been easy or fun. It has been really interesting to learn to live with my family so intensely and in such close quarters. It has been a wild adventure putting the pieces together anticipating such a big life change and seeing doors open along our path. The learning curve to make the cold jump into the marine world for me was both horrendous and invigorating.

When this started I had dreamed of sailing around the world but then realized that was a little lofty for the two year time frame we had developed. At least at a leisurely exploring pace. I conceded that 'around the Pacific' - "ish" would be more appropriate. Somewhere along the way, possibly while negotiating hard to avoid any crew mutiny, we came to the conclusion that for us the Canadian border to the Sea of Cortez would sufficiently meet our goals. It was just easier for me to set aside my dreams. And now for several reasons this journey is coming to an end. One of them is the necessity to get out of the Southern part of the Sea during the summer months for hurricane season. Another is the challenge of prolonging our exotic lifestyle with no income. A very big reason is that my family so misses friends and family, and the more consistent way of life at our home on the Canadian prairie.



I feel like I have opened Pandora's box. We have seen so much beauty. We have met so many amazing people. I can't imagine going back to life on the land. I love the ocean, the rhythm of the tide, the sea life, the sailing, the boat systems, the exploring, the other cruisers out here do'in it... Someone along the way told me that once addicted to sailing "there is relief but no cure". I know that it will be tough to find relief in Alberta. Somehow I will find my way. I have seen almost a year of life altering adventure. We have made new friends, and have so many great memories. We have all grown from the experiences and challenges we have faced. I am so greatful for all that we have experienced. I am so glad to have shared it with my family, especially Lisa - so brave a woman to afford me the grace to come along.

I have one big journey ahead with the boat: the plan is to bring Tenacious Grace back to San Diego where we will put her up for sale - so, I will finish this journey with a final hard push, the dreaded Baja bash. Until then, we savour our last days together on this boat, a place that has brought us fear, friendship, challenge, conflict, adventure, become our home, and shown us grace, tenaciously... And I think of all of those along the way that have either helped to make this possible or somehow shape our journey.