We Leave Tomorrow! TOMORROW!

For years, we dreamed of sailing to Alaska. But I could only imagine this experience in our future. A future that would move forward along our timeline the same speed we did, always staying a couple years away. It was just a dream. 

It wasn't until we made a firm date of departure that our dream became tangible. Our Alaska plan grew closer, and we went to work. While this work spanned months (and really, years), this last month has been the busiest. It's been a whirlwind of boat projects, details, and planning. 

But we're nearly there. Dave's finishing some last minute tasks at work, and I am finishing some last minute tasks on the boat. We leave in the morning. And we've noticed we've started to live much more in the present than in the future. The journey, even while working in the bilge or engine compartment, is so much part of this adventure. We've been living our dream already, and we're so excited for the next step!

Provisioning!

Dave doing projects

Novi's all shiny.

Uma the Boat Cat!

Our living space on the boat is small. <175 square feet small. But we seem to make it work, and most of the time, truly enjoy it. It's cozy. It's simple. It's home.

One thing that makes it feel like home is having our cat Uma onboard. Uma loves the liveaboard lifestyle and the many hidden nooks and seabird watching opportunities the boat provides.

Cats have been on ships since the beginning of...well, ships. Their mousing abilities keep the crew and gear safe while their companionship increases morale. Due to their superb inner ear balance, cats are less likely to get seasick than humans and dogs.

Well, most cats. Uma is the exception. And she is definitely not ready for our trip north. Fortunately, my (Denise's) mom offered to take her for the next four months and continue to spoil her in our absence. This week, I've taken a break from boat projects and work and helped her adjust to the big transition at my mom's home. Anyone who knows me knows Uma holds a large piece of my heart, so this adjustment is as much for me as it is for her.

Update: My mom saw the fun I was having writing this blog and decided to create a blog for Uma as well. It's adorable and very sweet. You can read about Uma's adventures here.
          

Uma helps with boat projects.

Uma is the hero Gotham needs.

    

Welcome to our Blog!

We created this blog to record memories and communicate with family and friends while sailing.

From April 28th to August 19th, we will explore the Inside Passage to Juneau and the Outside Passage back to Seattle. We have spent years dreaming, scheming, and planning this adventure, and we're finally doing it!

We'll be traveling remotely so our connection will be inconsistent. We don't know how often we'll post here. If you'd like to follow our path, go to MarineTraffic.com, click on the "Search Map" icon on the left, and type in De Novo. It uses an Automatic Tracking System [AIS] to locate us in real time (or at least since we last transmitted AIS). Currently, we're this little pink dot at Shilshole Bay Marina.