Adventures
01 June 2015
Cassandra Breeden
You know the bad thing about all adventures? They don't last forever. They are temporary, exciting, and remarkable experiences, but not real life. We had great adventures sailing and enjoying the salt life, but have traded in our ocean view for a mountain view. We are back on land, thrilled to be closer to family again. We hope everyone enjoyed our adventures as much as we did. Anyone that knows us, won't be surprised that we let the wind blow us somewhere new again! We are, after all, gypsy souls!!
Daily dolphins
27 April 2015
Cassandra Breeden
Not a day goes by that we don't get a visit from our dolphin friends. Today, they are hungry - chasing fish under and around the boat!! I have come to recognize the sound the dolphins make when breathing through their blow hole, even in the dark I can hear them coming!!
Even Dexter can't resist their charms!! Luv these guys!!!
How could we NOT??
27 April 2015
Cassandra Breeden
Ok. So I'd like to take a few minutes to answer an "FAQ". So many people have asked us, "How can you live like that?"
Well, let me start with some financials.
We have NO electric bill. We live solely off of solar panels and battery power. We still charge our phones, iPad, and watch TV just about every evening.
We have NO cable bill. We have free wifi at the marina and download our favorite shows to my Kindle Fire. We mirror the Fire to our TV and wah-lah... big screen TV. We have a Verizon hot spot that we use on the boat when we need to check emails or want to surf the net.
We have NO MORTGAGE OR RENT. Even though we live in the middle of the ocean, we still have a "membership" fee that we pay to use the marina dinghy docks, showers, and mooring ball. That service costs us $300 / month. Which you have to admit, is CHEAP LIVING!!
We still have a cell phone bill and car insurance. That hasn't changed.
Of course, as with living anywhere, there are positives and negatives.
Negatives:
1) No AC. We are sweating off a ton of calories in this Florida heat with no AC. Believe you me!!
2) Dinghy. We have to take a dinghy every time we need off the boat - to go to the store, to walk Dexter, anything. I'm not sure it's really a negative though, I kinda like it. A bad day on a boat is better than a good day on land :)
3) Water. Water doesn't just magically flow from our pipes like when you live in a house. We have holding tanks that have to be filled. We fill the tanks about every two weeks. Which consists of filling five gallon water jugs at the marina, hauling them back on the dinghy, and emptying them into the holding tanks.
There are also some positive things that are only available via Salt Life:
1) Ocean. We are surrounded by water. The front of the boat, the back of the boat, all around us is water, constantly cradling the boat, lulling us to sleep.
2) Local bars. We have about 5 local bars that we go to via dinghy. They are boater friendly with dinghy docks and live music. No DUIs!!
3) Reefs and Islands. We are in the Florida Keys with the most amazing reefs and islands close by. You would be amazed to find out how many days a week we partake in snorkeling or swimming at a breathtaking local spot.
4) Dolphins. Dolphins love Boot Key Harbor!! EVERYDAY ( I kid you not) we see dolphins. They swim past the boat, jump out of the water, and even join us on sails!!
5) Solitude. We have come to an age where we love to have fun, but sometimes, we just want to be left alone. That is the very definition of a sailing community. Our boat neighbors sure know how to party when it's time, but they also like their solitude. We wave hello when we see each other, but no one wants to know your business.
6) Freedom. How many people can wake up and decide to pack up and take a weekend cruise, a three month cruise, or sail away for the next year? Not too many. WE CAN!! We have FREEDOM to leave whenever we want and go where ever we want.
7) Beautiful sunsets. We see an amazing sunset every night. Seriously - EVERY NIGHT. And no one takes this for granted. There is a sunset celebration every night. Every sailor heads out to their cockpit to watch the sunset, cocktail in hand, and blows a conch horn as the sun sets.
So you ask "How do we live like this?"
I ask you, "How could we NOT??!!"
Dolphins
19 April 2015
Cassandra Breeden
For whatever reason, dolphins love to swim with sailboats. They are constantly surrounding the boat. Luv them!!!
Learning to sail
19 April 2015
Cassandra Breeden
So I never claimed to be a good driver.... try driving a 30' boat with no brakes. YIKES - WATCH OUT EVERYBODY!!! I'm just learning...
Seven mile bridge
19 April 2015
Cassandra Breeden
We sailed past the seven mile bridge. Such a better view from the water!!!
We got this!!!
19 April 2015
Cassandra Breeden
You know what today is?? You got it - sail away Sunday!! And we sailed away...SOLO!! We started out with great winds, 2-3 foot waves, dolphins swimming next to us...it was PERFECT! Had a great time, but lost our wind in the afternoon and had to motor back.
Our maiden voyage was a success. WE GOT THIS :)
Paid to snorkel??
19 April 2015
Cassandra Breeden
I found a dollar while snorkeling!! I tucked it right into my bikini top and snorkeled on. Who says it doesn't pay to snorkel?!?
Bahamian Starfish
19 April 2015
Cassandra Breeden
Found a gorgeous starfish. He posed for a pix with us and we returned him to his sandy home.
Hijacked conch shell
19 April 2015
Found a conch shell, but it had a feisty crab inside instead of a conch!! The crab was NOT happy with us and refused to pose for a pix :(