My Girl

Most of you who have followed our blog (Thank you ever so much!) may have detached yourselves since we are no longer sailing our Allied Princess Junk Rig. However, this experience will always exist for me and something I will look back upon when faced with a challenge big or small, to be mindful, not focusing on the expected outcome, but finding joy and perspective in the process.

I wrote this journal entry on May 25, 2015 as we sailed into St. Petersburg, FL sitting on Aletheia's bow, allowing my emotions to overtake and quickly write as my head spun with thoughts, sadness, excitement, self-doubt, contentment, acceptance and happiness that I was able to acknowledge.

Aletheia - a permanent attachment to my soul

Life is about choices. As I sit here on your bow, you've given me the greatest choice - 

To be brave. 

To be humble.

To be respectful. 

To be grateful.

To be patient.

We sail you into a safe harbor so that someone may sail you out, to experience your unique abilities and connect with your soul, which has now become a part of me.

Five more NM (nautical miles) with you as mine - this may be the one moment I wish the wind would die or shift so that our moment could last a bit longer. 

Today we share salty tears upon the salty bay and know that when we met, sailed nearly 4,500NM together through moments that shook me to the core, you accepted me and I accepted you and we made a choice - to have an adventure, to connect in a way only ladies understand.

You will always be known as someone that has strengthened my character, become a proponent of my spirit, and ignited in me Pride, Competency and Love.

You have helped support a desire, fulfill a dream, guide an unpredictable journey. You've conjured in me happiness and tears, sadness and laughter. You've taught me things I wouldn't have otherwise known I am capable of doing.

You've boosted my competence, lifted my confidence, allowing me to witness my true self, my Atman. I've enjoyed the gift of new friends, new places, brightening my sunsets and horizons, making moments of stillness something we truly deserve and treasure.

To appreciate minute details like the luffing of the sails. To finding my way around the cabin through both red light and darkness. Your creaks are familiar. Raindrops at anchor excite me. Sentiments have their place - books, cards, ceramic cups, booze and tethers. I've learned so much from you.

Everything has purpose. Thank you for allowing my heart to appreciate something new. This experience will now and forever give greater meaning to my continued journey. Thank you my girl.

This adventure is over for us, Aletheia is ready for a new adventure with new owners

Goodbye from Aletheia!

The open secret of late is that we are done cruising. For now. Everything is "for now," because never say never, right? I sure don't know what the future holds. That's what makes it so fun!

Jenn has a great job opportunity in Denver, near friends and family and all the activities Colorado has to offer. She started the drive back yesterday morning! With her is our friend Marissa, who we met in Marathon and encouraged us to come to St. Pete. We are so blessed to have friends willing to drop everything just to take a road trip with a new friend! Marissa will fly from Denver next Wednesday, back here to Tampa Bay, where her husband Chris and I will be playing while the cats are away.

What you don't get with the boat

I would love to sell Aletheia to someone who has followed our journey, who is willing to take themselves to a simpler time when the wind and the current are all that matter. Check out the Craigslist ad for all the details. I'll give you a deal if you say you saw it on my blog!

Things I've Learned

Over the course of living on a sailboat, there are things I've learned quickly and slowly over time. It's humbling to gather some perspective on a life outside of the familiar. Here are some humorous things I've learned while living on a boat!

Don't keep gum on the boat - it turns to mush within days in tropical climates

I actually like my compost toilet - no fuss, no muss. No pumps, no hoses. It smells like Earth, seriously!

Pee before bedtime - when you sleep on the "inside" of the bed, climbing over another sleeping body isn't any fun, especially if the boat is rocking and you're still sleeping.

A brotherhood exists - Once you live in it, you don't quite know how this brotherhood will effect you. We rushed to help a sinking motor vessel the other day without knowing the captain or what to expect. We immediately dropped what we were doing to lend a helping hand, and bucket, before the USCG arrived.

You don't need much, especially in the kitchen - I use one cast iron skillet, one sauce pan and 1-2 wooden spoons to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner. The only other must-have kitchen item is my AeroPress for my morning coffee.

Dolphins never get old - whether under sail or at anchor, dolphins are always a joy to watch. Period.

Currents can be your best friend - I never understood the significance of currents until we were living them! We wait for currents to turn to help push the keel off the bottom. We wait for currents to float us through narrow channels and canals. We attempt to time currents to enter and exit harbors. We time our trips with tides and currents. I didn't know I'd make a new friend in this way!

There are two kinds of sailors: those that run aground and liars - and we are not liars!

Empty the pee bucket frequently - you don't want this to overflow on you!

Who needs cross training when you have kedging - thankfully we've only kedged twice, but its quite a workout. In my experience, kedging feels like rowing a dinghy while being pulled by a tugboat in the opposite direction whilst moving a heavy anchor chain and anchor. And it takes lots of grunting.

There are many things I've learned that I may not yet appreciate, but it's fun to reflect on things I didn't know I could and do appreciate!

Mi manca l'Italia!

Topic: What do you miss? (a person, place, thing, a time in your life)

When I was studying at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA I was standing by an elevator after class staring at the plethora of flyers of announcements, campus clubs and upcoming events thumbtacked and stapled to bulletin boards, encouraging you to join. One flyer stood out with the title "Study Aboard". There were multiple foreign cities as options, but only one drew me in...Rome, Italy. I didn't have many friends at Duquesne so I thought this was a great opportunity to explore one of the most romantic countries on Earth, get to know myself better and integrate myself into a beautiful culture. Nervous yet eager, I found myself at an open house with my mom in tow. I discovered I could study abroad in Roma, Italia for the same price of studying in Pittsburgh. Doesn't take a college degree to tell you what the right answer is! 

In February 2001, with a non-refundable deposit, an MCI calling card, 12 credits and textbooks in tow, I was off to Italy for an opportunity of a lifetime. I have numerous memories and experiences that I could bore you with, but these are the ones I miss most...

My "dorm room" was one of two down on the ground level. My roommate and I got along great. The best part about my room was the view from the wooden Italian shutters and the water pressure in my shower. Overlooking the Italian landscape towards Ostia Antica, I could hop out my window and walk three feet to our one-room classroom; built that year for the students. I can still smell the freshly built schoolhouse. The chalkboard came on wheels. My Italian teacher was a beauty. My Arts History teacher commuted from the Vatican. Classes were held Monday-Thursday. Most Thursday nights were spent rushing to the train station to catch the overnight train to a country of our choice, usually one of six on our pre-paid Euro-rail pass. Thursday night in Italy, Friday morning in Switzerland.

We had organized class trips to multiple cities, including Assisi, Venice and Florence, complete with Italian meals at local restaurants. My mom and sister visited me for spring break and we took a mini-cruise to some of the Greek Isles and Kusadasi, Turkey. I did a roundoff back handspring in Piazza Novona for a free beer. One day I spent eight hours walking aimlessly through the Roman Forum reading a guide book from front to back, talking with tourists about the history of the ruins we were admiring. That was a magical day, something I cherish as one of my best days in Rome. I miss that.

Still to this day I become nostalgic by my Italian experiences. The rising sun and dewy mornings remind me of waking up in Italy. The smell of my body spray reminds me of a sweet scent I used on a daily basis. I fell in love with tomatoes and red wine throughout my life in Italy. I kissed an Italian. I spoke the language of love and spoke it well (for a time). I miss that.

I feel incredibly honored that I was able to study abroad, even make Dean's List, and have an experience only some young people dream about. I tell every high schooler or young college student, if within their means, to STUDY ABROAD! It will shape who you become. 

In the meantime, I continue to dream and consider my next visit to Italy, to relive my nostalgic moments and visit new landscapes. I'll continue to enjoy my scrapbook thick with photos. I've even thought of renting a villa for a year. Anyone care to join?! Where would I go? Does it matter? At least I'll visit the Italy I know, love and miss.

What do you miss? 

Gill Customer Service

I was hopeful that once I put in the request, I'd get what I asked for: great customer service including a new pair of sailing gloves!

My Gill sailing gloves have brought us thousands of miles through saltwater, sun and frigid temperatures. These Champion gloves are great because the thumb and index fingers are exposed for optimal dexterity, to undo knots, make knots or control the chartplotter on the iPad. However, my gloves have been ripped to shreds over the past 10 months. They are practically non-functional to pull lines without chafing my skin. They just don't make them like they used to!

Nate's gloves are 8 YEARS old and still going strong. Mine are 10 MONTHS old and need to be respectfully buried in a sailing glove graveyard. Whoever designed this particular glove put the materials in the wrong places and/or doesn't sail much...

Thanks Gill for your friendly and prompt customer service and understanding! Within 3 days of contacting customer support, I have a new pair of gloves headed my way. Sweet!

Split down the side of the index finger

Lots of holes!

Lots of shredding!

Poor gloves

Nate's 8 year-old gloves

Well used but not abused

 ~jenn

Just in case you were wondering...

I realize I took on the Blog Everyday in May challenge excitedly without realizing that I won't be able to post my blog posts for an extended period of time. 

We are departing Boot Key Harbor on Monday, May 18th (WooHoo!) heading towards St. Petersburg, FL. No Internet. A guest aboard. Drinks to make. Dinners to cook. A boat to sail 200NM. I'll be a very busy first mate!

However, I will fulfill the Blog Everyday in May challenge, extending into June and continue writing offline. This type of writing has done wonders for my mind, my happiness and even my self-confidence. I'll complete the project for my own desire, to see what I come up with, to be and find more creativity, but to reveal myself in a different light and for others in the blogosphere, or family and friends just reading our blog, to get to know me better. To get to know myself better too. I'll post less than periodically. But complete, I will!

We have truly enjoyed our time here, making new friends, completing projects and visiting new landmarks, but we look forward to sailing Aletheia to a new place with greener pastures. Our varnishing project is near complete so I'll be happy to show photos soon. 

Off to Key West to pick up Nate's mum!

A memorial Manhattan of my father

Look mom, I made a new friend. She's the best!

Glimpse into varnished toerails 

Pool Night

Ship's Captain front and center

Boys talkin' boats aboard Moondance

 Love to all,
Jenn & Nate 

Easy To Give. Hard to Receive.

Topic: A piece of advice you have for others

Allow yourself to be unafraid to try something new, but do it for You. Try anything once, even if slightly out of your comfort zone. Embrace the opportunity, but don't feel you must put yourself in harm's way; know your limits and believe you will and deserve a new experience. 

Yes, I'm sure you know where this is coming from! My sailing and liveaboard experience has got me thinking about how I felt and who I was one year ago to this day. It was nearly one year ago (give or take a couple days) that we verbally agreed to buy Aletheia which sent contracts and emotions into motion. Oh yes, I was afraid. I wouldn't have taken this leap of faith if not for my husband, so no I didn't exactly do this for myself. But, I do know about embracing opportunities, stepping out of the lovely arms of my comfort zone. I've always been willing to try anything once just to acknowledge my limitations and get the adrenaline boiling (slightly). It usually works out that there is always an opportunity for growth from a new experience. 

Along the bumpy waves and strong currents, although it's been a recent discovery of mine, this journey has been for Me. I'm no adrenaline junkie and I like my comforts, but I have learned to become more resilient, appreciate the ups and downs that life throws at me, to adapt to changing circumstances, to find patience and embrace my emotional rollercoaster. 

Of course, this advice links into other areas of life experiences other than cruising. However, I have been able to embrace this challenge/advice fully through cruising. And saying to myself, "If I can do "this", I can certainly do "that" is a wonderful mantra that I've fully embraced by saying yes to this challenge. My own advice that I share with others has given me the gift to embrace yet-to-be-seen opportunities, to be unafraid of what comes next and lastly, to accept my limits. We all deserve to grow into a better, smarter, and braver person even if it happens in the least way you expect it!

Admitting is Refreshing

Topic: Things That Make You Uncomfortable

A topic most people would rather avoid; however, acknowledging these 'things' that make us feel uneasy are the very things we should confront to get to the next level, for personal growth. Find an opportunity to come face to face with one or all of your discomforts, even if these things are inconsequential.

I start my blog entry with the definition. And although it makes me uncomfortable (or feel stupid) to look up the definition, I'm ok with admitting that I do this quite often with words, even elementary ones.

Uncomfortable (adj). 

• causing or feeling slight pain or physical discomfort; 
• causing or feeling unease or awkwardness.

So, here I admit a few things that make me uncomfortable (based on the above definition) without going into too much detail and in no particular order. I'm already feeling twitchy and fraught.

• any variety of snake
• sailing at night
• talking about politics
• public speaking
• asking for help
• disapproval
• getting older
• interviews
• restaurant menus
• confrontation
• silence

Can you name the top three things that make you uncomfortable? It's ok to admit them here!

Sometimes I smell myself

The later into April we go, the hotter the temps and stiller the air becomes. This is our year without winter, without snow scrapers, without numb fingertips. Barely any clothing at all.

Our skin is brown, arm hair blonde like when we were kids. Sweat constantly beads on my chin and mustache. After a long day in the sun and a cool shower, I rub coconut oil into my skin to seal in Vitamin D. Sometimes I smell myself :)

We make friends easily here is Boot Key. We help out fellow cruisers at the drop of a hat. We seek out the best happy hours in town. We learn new crafts. We make plans to visit other cruisers' boats. To hear their stories. To share tales.

We take salt water rinses right from the boat when our skin is soaked in sunscreen. We swim to our friend's boat to chat about upcoming plans. We try to use the stove as little as possible. I sip my morning coffee in the cockpit as slowly as possible.

We pause for sunsets. We easily find time to read books. We never tire of seeing dolphins swimming through the harbor. The days are going by so quickly.

Here are some photos of our last week. It's a bit packed with info so take a pause...We've had some fun!

Dinner with my new friend, The Boat Galley!

Dinghy parking

Driving to the Dockside Bar

Dinner with our 2006 Bahamas friends, Mendocino Queen 

We took a land-based trip north to Tavernier and Islamorada to explore the local scene. The bus system in the Keys is fairly easy to use, but exact change is a must. It's $2.65pp each way. Once in Tavernier, we walked three miles to the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center. It shows as one woman's passion for birds has turned into a safe harbor for rehabilitating wildlife. I highly recommend visiting if ever in the Keys. $5 donations are requested. Three sweltering miles back to the bus stop, a refreshing beer was in order. But before that, the bus had to break down as we awaited a rescue bus to take us southward. In Islamorada we visited the Islamorada Brewery & Tasting Room. From way up north in the Alaskan breweries to the Florida Keys, I've done my due diligence to visit as many tasting rooms as possible. It's the best way to get a taste of the local scene. And I heart beer! 

We polished off our day excursion with happy hour dinner and drinks, live music and another lovely sunset at Lorelei Cabana Bar & Restaurant. On our way back to Marathon, we witnessed the south-bound bus speed by us as we were casually walking to the bus stop. OOPS! The next bus would arrive 2 hours later...we thumbed it for about 1 hour and miraculously, a friendly local pulled over and drove us 35 miles south back to Marathon. We jammed to Fleetwood Mac the entire ride. Thanks again, Joe! My first hitchhiking experience was a complete success!

A wonderful donation-based rehabilitation center

A Peli-can't

A Peli-can

So happy to see this refreshing local establishment!

4 beers offered - all great summer sipping beers

Islamorada, FL

Welcome to Lorelei Cabana Bar & Restaurant!

Some other fun activities we've accomplished during our time in Marathon:
Hookah Snorkeling (aka SNUBA) at Sombrero Reef with friends on C-Soul:

And a HUGE thank you to Sunny who made new slipcovers for Aletheia's settee cushions. I picked out this fabric, took measurements and photos and gave Sunny the material. My wonderfully talented mother-in-law did an AMAZING job! What a difference a little color makes too!

Bright fabric ready to assemble

Old dull settee slipcovers

Getting excited to see how they fit

A beautiful fit!

I should have done this many moons ago! So pretty to see her rails shine! Who knew that Brasso & Flitz would be my new favorite cleaning brands!

Stanchion before

Stanchion after! 

Bow rail before

Bow rail after!

Love to all,
Jenn & Nate

Seven Questions Aboard

Floating on the water, some days when I have nothing to do but think (seriously), I wonder if others ponder how we "do things" aboard Aletheia. So, I've compiled a list of 7 questions that I often ask myself that I think people would want to ask/know whilst living aboard. If you have any off-the-wall, ridiculous questions, by all means, message us!

1) How do you go to the bathroom?

Our composting toilet

Besides Nate peeing overboard whilst sailing, we use the Nature's Head Dry Composting toilet. I have to say, I've always taken my toilet for granted, but this self-containing and waterless toilet takes little clean up and maintenance while leaving practically zero odors. We eliminate pumps, hoses, and a stinky holding tank that conventional marine heads need to operate. Everyone sits (yes, even boys). Liquid go forward, into a waterless, removeable tank that eliminates any foul odors. We empty every 3-4 days. To disinfect, we spray a vinegar/water mixture into the bowl.

Solids drop back through a trap door (sounds magical, huh?!) into a separate holding tank. A hand-cranked agitator rotates the solid waste with coconut husk. Instead of peet moss, which can attracts bugs, we pre-shred this coconut husk to absorb the solid waste – very similar to your veggie compost pile. It's OK...Everybody poops!

2) How do you clean dishes without a dishwasher?

Last item: rinsing Wyatt's bowl

Woe is me! I know not everyone needs a dishwasher to survive, but they are really nice! Depending on the amount of dishes and motivation of the first mate, we clean dishes 1-2 times per day. We start with the pre-rinse-Wyatt-cycle; heat fresh water in the teapot and pour into a rinse basin. If we cut/cook meat or eggs, I'll add a little bleach to the rinse bucket to kill off any bacteria left in the bowl or cutting board. Armed with a soapy sponge, I wash dishes with the salt water foot pump and rinse dishes, silverware, pots, etc in the rinse basin, placing everything on a drying rack overnight. It doesn't take too much time and it's rather satisfying to know I'm saving a ton of water!

Drying time

3) Where do you sleep?

Back in September, we built a trapezoid bed for the master v-berth suite. We can both stretch out and it works great. A 4" foam mattress, cut into 3 pieces, makes a HUGE difference on a small boat. It's comfortable and doesn't feel like camping. A trapezoid mattress pad and top sheet fit perfectly, thanks to Sunny! Wall lights make a great addition for reading before bed. 

Trapezoid mattress pad

Ready for bed!

4) How do you set your anchor? What is a snubber?

Once we find a permissible anchorage, we look for at least 6 feet of water at low tide with good holding (sand/mud is best, grass is ok, rocks are not cool). Nate steers from the cockpit, Jenn is up at the bow ready to drop the hook once Nate agrees that our depth finder has given us an accurate depth reading and says "OK, go for it!" I typically wear closed-toe shoes in case my feet were to get caught up in an anchor chain dropping a 45lb anchor into the water. We drive into the wind, come to a Californian stop and drop the anchor+chain until the anchor hooks the seafloor. Usually you can feel the boat catch when we have a good holding. In rougher conditions, to eliminate pulling the anchor chain (which is not stretchy), we use a snubber (which is stretchy). A rope, once given a responsibility on a boat, is no longer considered a rope, but becomes a "line" and gives itself a name (i.e. Snubber). The snubber is attached to the anchor chain itself, using a rolling hitch. Once the anchor is "set", the snubber pulls the weight of the anchor chain, but no longer stretching the chain. All good things. 

Aletheia's anchor and snubber

Snubber (white line) doing its job!

5) When weather ties you to the boat, how do you spend your time?

In windy, rough or cold conditions, we typically spend the day onboard. We may have wifi, but we also like to read magazines, books and listen to podcasts. Jenn likes to write in her vision journal while sipping coffee. Right now Jenn is reading Blue Shoes & Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith while Nate is reading Gipsy of the Horn by Henry Scott. I just finished The Happiness Project, a wonderful and highly recommended book I found at a free library in NYC. I'll use this as a guide for years to come! Most popular podcasts include: Cracked, Freakonomics and Planet Money.

Poached eggs, peach mango salsa, wilted spinach on corn tortilla

I also love to cook and bake when its gross outside. Also helps to warm up the cabin. I love finding recipes or deciding what to make based on onboard ingredients. It makes me feel productive, accomplished and happy with something yummy to share. My favorite things to bake: cast iron cornbread, quick breads and chocolate chip cookies. And my new favorite: No-oven skillet pizza!

Pizza dough has risen!

Perfectly cooked pizza. Great with a glass of Malbec!

Windy Day: Ingredients for Vanilla Lemon-soaked quick bread

6) How do you store food? What food items are on your shelves right now?

We have great amount of storage space under our butts! We store non-perishable food items under the port side settee pantry (pasta, sauce, almond milk, crackers, rice, canned beans/tuna/chicken, etc). Things we use on the daily get upgraded to our galley shelves (i.e. sriracha). For dry food items, I add bay leaves to keep out any weevils. 

On our shelves at the moment: granola, chia seeds, chocolate chips, sriracha, turkish-ground coffee, a variety of herbs and spices, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, flour/baking soda/cane sugar/brown sugar, pancake mix, dog treats, canned tuna/chicken, canned corn/garbanzo beans, mason jars full of red/black beans, freekeh, jasmine rice, molasses, and honey butter.

7) How does Wyatt go potty?

Besides peeing overboard whilst sailing, Wyatt uses his grass turf to pee and poop. I'm kidding about the peeing overboard, but wouldn't that be somethin?! After 3 days of pumping Wyatt full of water, not taking him off the boat, and treats abound, this smart dog figured out his new pee routine within our first week in Halifax! We keep his pad on port side, because our guests, including ourselves board from starboard. The washdown hose is also on port so this makes it MUCH easier to rinse where he pees. People are impressed when they see his grass pad and how he has learned to use it so well! Such a good boy! Here are also some pics of how Wyatt spends his time on & off the boat!

Sunning

Decisions, Decisions!

Fountain of Youth!

Taylor Birch State Park

Party Hat. Silly vet visit 

Just one of many times we're cleaning dog hair

More sunning

Making friends

What'll it be?!

Love to all!
Jenn & Nate