Our ten year odyssey comes to an end
Impossible to describe our feelings
Was it all a dream?
The dream of a lifetime
We lived it
We felt it
We tasted it
We loved it
How fortunate it is that dreams can become real
The faces
All those beautiful faces
Friends... all around the world
Priceless

The time has finally come to let our Freebird go. Like a father I watched her leave my life. After seventeen years of creating, building and sailing she is now a memory. As I walked away, I took one last look over my shoulder. She is still the most beautiful (to me) boat in the marina. (World)

During our almost 10 years of voyaging we:
Sailed over 35,000 nautical miles
Visited 36 countries
Anchored in 263 different places
Spent 125 nights at sea

Peter and Tina Dreffen had called from Florida 12 days earlier. They wanted to see more pictures. We scrambled and posted 60 photos on Picasa web albums. They emailed with an offer. We made a small counter offer and the deal was done. A few days later they arrived in Southern Sicily to test sail, survey, and take possession of Freebird. They graciously allowed us to remain aboard for 3 more days while we unloaded our remaining possessions. Fortunately, Freebird is in good hands. The Dreffins are very accomplished sailors. They will take good care of her and plan to continue her legacy. We caught our already scheduled flight to Florence for 6 days ...... then on to Seattle.

Now, being homeless, we are staying here in our dear friends Cyn and John Wagoner's home. We are so thankful for their hospitality. Our new car is parked in the driveway (with compulsory insurance policy). We've acquired the mandatory mobile phones, and it's cold and rainy outside. Yesterday we fought the traffic into downtown Seattle for our long over due medical checkups.We will soon set up a "base camp" in our townhouse on Camano Island. What next? Those beautiful smiling faces are calling...............