We respectfully dedicate
this blog post to Caron and Doug, an amazing couple who have faced incredible adversity
during the last 16+ months. Doug was diagnosed with ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease
last summer. In support of Doug, I had the opportunity to share a few moments
with them during the ALS Walk held downtown Portland on 9/30. Just a short (or
long) week later, Doug has gone to a better place. In talking with Caron on
that Sunday, she reinforced our decision to pursue our dreams while we are able.
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| Sunset on the Columbia, Judy's BD 9/7 |
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| The RailRoad Crossing just west of us |
The summer weather has been great in Portland
and we’re thankful for so many experiences living on the Columbia River. The
wildlife, water, summer evenings on the deck, heron on patrol, squawking osprey
and busy beavers … these are just some of the benefits of houseboat living,
along with nice neighbors, incredible sunsets, and island living. Check out our
photos at https://picasaweb.google.com/jmgoehler/SummerOnTheColumbiaRiver?authuser=0&feat=directlink
We’ve
been thankful for the work opportunities we’ve had! Mike has two jobs, working
as a yacht broker at Passion Yachts and as a Home Depot associate. Both have
been rewarding and learning experiences. If you’re in the market for a boat,
check out http://www.passion-yachts.com/about-us.html.
Judy’s
been working in marketing, project management and consulting with a number of
great clients, helping them build their businesses.
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| Pura Vida being hauled out in Guaymas |
We’ve
had some difficult decisions to make about our next chapter, but after long
discussions and consternation, we’re gearing up to continue our quest and head
south again for more sailing experience and cruising adventures. The amount of
logistics is incredible and we are realizing that this year is as least as much
work as last year! We didn’t think it would be this tough. But you get in to a
groove in the workaday world and it’s not easy to extricate yourself.
Finding the Crystal
Dolphin on the joyous mile
During
the last couple of months, we’ve been struggling with leaving our jobs, doing
another upheaval from a nice living experience on the water, and starting anew.
Sometimes, things happen for a reason and you just don’t know it…yet. We’d just
watched a video clip sent by one of our cruising friends showing dolphins
playing with their cat aboard their sailboat.
After
our weighty discussion that evening about whether we could pull it off, getting
back to Mexico and all that entails, I took the walk along what I call the
joyous mile, the stretch of dock that is our walkway along the 56 houseboats in
our moorage. It’s the best walk ever, with the fabulous houseboats, tropical
plants, night lighting from the homes, and the moon sparkling on the river. You’re
overwhelmed by the quiet, beauty and mellowness of it all. The reasons you live
on the water.
As
I walked along, I happened upon a crystal dolphin under a walkway light.
Really, there it was – a little message calling out to me that it would be
alright. We’d make it work, we’d figure it out.
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| S/V Pura Vida under sail |
I
looked around, and of course I picked up that dolphin, and it now sits on our
window sill at the sink in front of our Pura Vida photo. So, it’s inspiration
and the significance is not lost on us.
Hasta la vista
We
look forward to seeing our cruising friends again and while we don’t know where
or when we’ll see them, we know it will happen in some amazing and fun ways.
Judy
& Mike
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