Our First Sailing Adventure

Brett has had a life long goal of learning to sail and taking his family on sailing vacations. When he has spoken about this in the past, it was a retirement goal. However, a couple of months ago, he came home and said, "I have signed up for a sailing course.". And 2 months later, he is fully certified with his 'bareboat certification' enabling him to captain a sailboat upto 50 feet. I am so proud of him!

We spent a week on this wonderful boat named Wave Dancer and sailed throughout the San Juan Islands, creating many wonderful memories.

Oli loved the boat and his favorite part was his 'cabin' and the fact that you had to pump the toilet to flush it. That kid has never gone to the bathroom so frequently.

On our way to Sucia Island....a nice sunny day!

We had great weather but the mornings were cold! Here we are about to go for a morning walk in Friday Harbor.

This face shows it all!

Just used the dinghy to get to Stuart Island's shore. Stuart Island has 15-20 inhabitants and has this adorable school house that has 3 students this year, no electricity, no running water.

Waving goodbye to the boys who were dropping the crab pots off in Reid Harbor off of Sucia Island. Charlie, an avid crabber, doubted Oli would get any crabs but sure enough he did! We released them back to sea but not without having Julia pet them (photos on Maro's camera...will post later)

He LOVED driving the dinghy.

And even rowing it!

We spent a day at Roche Harbor bringing back many wonderful memories of our wedding 2 years ago. Here we are at the Roche swimming pool.

Exploring Sucia Island's sandstone caves.

On the lookout for more Seals or Dolphins.

Maro and Charlie joined us half way through the week and we were thrilled to have them onboard. They are very experienced sailors and it was fun hearing about their adventures when they spent 2 years on sail boat with their baby Charlie and then their many years worth of sailboat racing in Seattle and their countless summers spent sailing in the San Juans. It was a very special time for us, being able to share this experience with them. It's quite apparent that they are truly at home on the water.
Julia - a Helmsman in training here.

Oli loved sitting on the rail of Wave Dancer with Maro and Charlie (with a snowcapped Mt Baker in the distance).

Oli wanted Maro to sleep with him in the 'v-berth' cabin. Thanks, Maro for taking one for the team (more than once!).

Oli'ism #129

(this morning at home)

Oli: I miss the sail boat.

Brett: What do you miss about it?

Oli: I miss sleeping with Maro in my cabin. I miss pumping the toilet. But now that we are home, I like being able to throw toilet paper in the toilet again.