Our first notable stop was at Oderin Island (pronounced “odeern”) on the west side of Placentia Bay. Oderin is a gem of an island with rocky outcrops, green rolling Sound of Music hills, and a small protected harbor just (barely) big enough for Dogbark. The shoreline is dotted with the colorful homes of the fisherfolk who used to live here. In the heat of the summer, the place looked idyllic, but imagining living here through the cold winter months battered by North Atlantic storms definitely made us shiver.
Author: Janna
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Strong Leadership
So many issues are top of mind right now: the pandemic, the economy, racial injustice, the climate crisis. It’s going to take many people, from many different spheres of influence, to lead us to health, prosperity, justice, and equilibrium. But who’s going to lead us, and how?
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Buoyed by Books: Readings on Climate Activism
I’ve been coping with 2020 by reading. I’m thrilled to be doing book recommendations for the awesome Women Who Sail newsletter, which tackles a timely, thought-provoking topic each month.
Dogbark to Alaska Again – Day 1
Get yer trackers loaded, folks! Dogbark is sailing north to Alaska again. It’s fun to watch their progress as they go.
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In the Media! In the Ice! In the Movies (sort of)!
We may be back but the journey continues–at home, way south, way north. Dogbark’s voyage lives on thanks to the creative efforts of her friends.
- Boat Stuff
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Top 10 Life Changes Since Being Back
Here’s a big change: Walking to school with a puppy who insists on being picked up, then put down, might make us miss the bus. Not all our changes are good. Not all our changes are bad. But our changes are MANY. So here are ten ways “normal” life is different from cruising life.
Best gifts for cruisers and other friends going on epic adventures (aka Thank you)
We’ve been out a year now and it’s time to reflect on what got us here. Like the gifts, encouragement, help, and hard work from people like you!
- Boatschool
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Advocacy
A lesson on advocacy: “This catalogue only has men in it,” she said, furrowing her brow. She flipped a few more pages and shook the magazine in our direction. “Why aren’t I their demographic?”
Humble Pie
The day started out well enough, the girls did great under pressure, and we enjoyed seeing the “mullet ship.” But the performance of the grownups did not pass muster. (Though we did try to pass mustard.)
Talia’s First By-line
Talia wrote an article for SAIL Magazine about our time in the Arctic. It’s a great piece, and we’re so proud!
Jell-O + Calling the Shots + Our (new) New Route
Cruisers say All plans are made in Jell-O. Why? Because old plans are always being molded into new plans as sailing realities shift and actual routes take shape.
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Dogbark’s Review of Books
Huey Lewis was addicted to love, but I might as well face it I’m addicted to books.
Beyond Birds and Bees: Bringing Home a New Message to Our Kids About Sex, Love, and Equality
Maybe you didn’t think you wanted to read an entire book about how to talk to kids about bodies and consent, gender and sex, but Bonnie Rough keeps us engaged, entertained, laughing, and thinking all the way through.
We Were the Lucky Ones
I met Georgia Hunter when her book club read my memoir. She asked me to consult on early drafts of WE WERE THE LUCKY ONES. It’s an absolute thrill to see it on the NYT Bestsellers List! Yay, Georgia!
The Motion of the Ocean: 1 Small Boat, 2 Average Lovers, and a Woman’s Search for the Meaning of Wife
My memoir, The Motion of the Ocean, has been out for almost a decade but I continue to benefit from one of the best parts of putting one’s work into the world … getting feedback. Yesterday, a woman named Barbara emailed me. Here’s what she said …
Ode to Becca and John
There aren’t many people who could stand being cooped up on a boat with our family of four, twenty-four-seven, for four months, across 7,700 miles, in extreme conditions.
Ah, Boatschool . . .
The thought of being the lead teacher in our boatschooling endeavor brought to mind voracious reading, real-world science, and rainbows. Lots of rainbows.
Big News: on the TV and on the road!
We think there’s a chance we can finally go! Graeme’s consulting the oracle right now. In the meantime, check out this great TV coverage Dogbark.
Real-time Tracker for S/V Dogbark
By popular and parental demand, we now have a real-time tracker for S/V Dogbark so you can see where we are!
Week 1 in Photos
This gives you a visual sense of our first week cruising. For a beautiful description in words, check out Becca’s blog post at halcyonwandering.com.
The Emotional Lowdown
On yesterday morning’s regular bike ride, Savai got teary. “This is the last time we’ll ever do this,” she said.
Hauled out in P.T.
We hauled Dogbark out of the water last month. She’s now hidden away under two (2!) sheds in the Boat Haven boatyard in Port Townsend. Here are some photos of the haul-out. We lucked out on weather that day!
Are critters also sailing through the Northwest Passage?
GUEST POST BY BECCA–The Northwest Passage is there because the ice is not. So how is this new waterway affecting the lives of critters that were previously turned back by ice?
Introducing our crew: Becca and John
When Graeme and I sailed across the Pacific, we were pretty much solo. For this adventure, however, we want all the help we can get. Enter our illustrious crew: Becca and John Guillote.
Splash Day!
Dogbark has been on the hard in Anacortes for many years. Now she’s back in the water! Savai and our godson Jake came to watch the show.
Boatwork in the Anacortes Yard
Dogbark had been sitting for several years and needed some love. She had grown a cozy green sweater of mildew on her decks. Exhibit A: Before power-washing. Exhibit B: After power-washing.
Why Cruising with Kids? Why the NW Passage? Why Dogbark?
Ever since sailing across the Pacific on our honeymoon, Graeme and I have dreamed of cruising with kids…