01/30/2007, Sitka, Alaska
We are working on getting all the immunizations that we will need. This is turning into a mini adventure in itself. After living in Bush Alaska for so long, it feels like I live in the city now. I forget in reality, Sitka is actually a fairly rural community. I had a great conversation with my physician. He is helping me put together a great medical kit, and also helping me acquire immunizations. It turns out that most of them have to be special ordered and will be quite costly. The cost is of course a consideration. I am just grateful that I started this process early because it looks like it's going to take quite a bit of time. So, I am finding it's never too early to get started sorting through all the requirements that will be needed clear into the countries we would like to visit. We will be tackling organizing the ships papers as well.
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01/23/2007, Sitka, Alaska
Wow, it sunk in the other day. I just quit my day job! The school board all voted to grant my request for a leave of absence. The reality is sinking in. I am actually following through to leave my career for awhile and start our circumnavigation. If my bosses ever read this, they will be happy to know how dearly I have appreciated their encouragement and support. This has been a difficult decision because they are such great people to work with. I doubt that I will ever find such a great situation again any time soon.
We have also had success with the new water tank. It is so nice to take a shower and get to choose when to turn off the hot water, not the very cold water finish! I do waste water during the winter while we have a water source close at hand. I know that this is just a "spoiled" time because finances dictate no water maker for the foreseeable future. Our prioritized big ticket items are: a new main, radar, Monitor Wind Vane, and an EPIRB. The EPIRB is last in the "must have" because we have an older working model already. We also have an electronic autopilot, but I don't trust it or any electronics because of its short life span and our ability to repair it. Our main items for the "nice to have" list includes: solar panels/wind generator, water maker, new compressor for the fridge, and a satellite phone.
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01/14/2007, Sitka, Alaska
I did it!
I have officially declared that I will be leaving my job at the end of the school year. I applied for a a leave of absence. I hope I get it since it will give me a second chance if our plans go seriously awry! I suppose in reality it doesn't matter since it will be for only one year. With the high demand for special education teachers, if I need to work, I won't have troubles finding employment. So, my career is no longer something to debate at this time! I just hope I can return to this school district when this voyage is completed.
Now we need to focus on solidifying our itinerary for this summer, and of course getting "Tender Spirit" ready for cruising. We need to spend part of the summer in Alaska to put up fish and to visit family. We have some gear to install in Puget Sound later in the summer. The only time factor at this point is to leave the Pacific Northwest before the fall storms arrive. We are hoping to be in central/southern California before October and then cruise Mexico in December once hurricane season is over. Just when we head offshore and where is still the debate. Will it be the Galapagos, Hawaii, or straight a South Pacific island group?
Living aboard and cruising are two different mind sets. I have discovered the art of collecting stuff on board that has nothing to do with cruising. Some of it is a good thing because this is our home. Working and living on board creates an environment for things like kitchen appliances and other items that make life comfortable when we are plugged into shore power for the winter. We all need hobbies that add variety to our lives. I discovered quilting. I know I will have to make decisions on whether or not to take this cruising with us! The problem is weeding out our "treasures" to make room for critical items for the voyage. We also need to think in terms of living in warmer climates. I need to go through basic things like clothing. My wool and cashmere sweaters are great for Alaska winters, but will be bulky space takers in the tropics. I plan on keeping some warm clothes on hand, but I need to weed out "work clothes" and add some warm weather clothing......more tee's and less dress clothes! We will be weeding out a lot of useless items that were "must have" such as northern fishing gear and assorted gadgets. We have decided to maintain a storage locker for stuff that we don't want to part with, but makes no sense to take with us.
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12/31/2006, Sitka, Alaska
Happy New Year!
May all the good from 06' follow you into 07' to mingle with new moments of adventure and joy!
I am both dreading and looking forward to the conversation I must have with my boss next week when school resumes. I definitely believe that I am fortunate to have the pleasure of working with this principal. She certainly puts our students ahead of any personal agenda and is quick to support both teachers/staff and parents. She is also a great support for our students with disabilities. So what's the problem? Well, the decision has been made and I promised her that she would be the first to know that I won't be returning next school year. We have decided to commit to our voyage. She has always supported and encouraged me. I will definitely miss her and the rest of the great people I've worked with along with the kids I am honored to work with. I am relieved that the decision is final and beyond the point of no return. I am very excited about the trip, but now a little scared as well. Turning my back on a successful career is no easy thing, but the lure of a life-long dream is too great, like a fish grabbing onto a well tied fly, who knows how this decision will shake out in the future!
We are busy replacing the hot water tank on the boat. A simple job has turned into quite the adventure in patience. The new tank is exactly 1/2" larger than the old one. This means all the brackets have to be rebuilt and new holes drilled so that the tank will fit. I am sure the old connections will also be off and copper tubing replaced as well as the hoses. I wish that manufacturers could stick with the same dimensions on standard items that need replacing! It's turned a simple replacement into quite the project. Unfortunately, this has become so common that I cringe when it comes to replacing gear. The good news though is that we will once again have hot showers on board in the very near future!
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