Our Sailboat

As discussed in my last post, I bought a sailboat.  And here she is!!  She is a 26ft Columbia Sailboat.  8'6'' Beam, Fin Keel, and a Spade Rudder.  I have an outboard 2-stroke Gas 6HP motor, that can be easily attached and removed from a stand on the stern.  She came with mainsail and a 135% Genoa, those are the only sails I have.  She weighs 5900lbs! Heavy lady...

She has no name that I am aware of, I thought about Bertha, but I am now leaning towards Natalie.  Bertha was for birthday because I actually went out and got her on Ashley's birthday (she was at work, but completely aware of what was happening).  However I think after actually sailing the boat, and getting to know her better, Natalie fits better.  I don't know.  We shall see.  So far we have cleaned her up quite a bit, got a motor, went sailing 4 times, and basically just figuring her out and planning on upgrading with solar and other goodies.  

Here is a link to a video of the exterior of the boat, and be sure to check out all the pictures:  

My wife is beautiful

I love my wife a lot.  I really enjoy her for who she is.  I'm certain she likes me for me as well.  That's really nice.  When we are out, and meet new people sometimes they will ask how long we've been married.  Sometimes it's just a question, but other times it's due to how much we are enjoying one and other.  I mean heck we spend a lot of time together. And yes sometimes we get very upset and disagree and have stupid fights.  Mostly it's stupid fights.  But I am certain we are mad about each other.  Just down right madly in love.  It's a very common occurrence for us to be very loving and just simply happy with each other, and having fun.  I think this element of having lots of fun together is something that some people get curious about, and then the question of "How long have you been married?" comes out.  Ashley or I will tell them almost two years or whatever the time is, and many times I will hear in return, "Well that's because you guys are still in the 'Honey-mooner' phase."  I think this is a load of crock.  I intend on being in the "honey-mooner phase" my entire life then.  It's usually about this point that I let me people know we've  been together for almost 6.5 years.  But deep down I know some people still just thing we are riding a high wave and our relationship will eventually degrade into what seems to be the majority of marriages, boring and lifeless.  I don't think Ashley and I will have this.  We are too much full of life.  As individuals we are anything but boring and lifeless.  So as a couple I doubt this will occur either.

Okay enough.  I like my wife, and we have a great time together.  We are simple people who enjoy the simplest things in life the most.  Sharing a conversation with someone over a meal.  Walking around and exploring new places.  And of course we really enjoy our adventures.

Yesterday was Ashley's birthday.  She turned 25.  She didn't really have much of a choice in the matter, of course she could have taken another job or postponed getting a travel nursing job again, but she worked on her birthday.  She instructed me that she didn't want much of a party or anything high intensity after she got off work.  Her requests were simple enough, she said she wanted to watch a movie, and to have one ready to go.  Also during the day she texted and let me know she thought a charcuterie plate would be a delightful thing for dinner.  I obliged her with both.  The charcuterie plate was out of this world, I got Naan, castrelvano olives, gouda cheese, brie cheese, cherry tomatoes, salomi, hot peppered italian sausage, hot cappricola, and apples.  Oh my goodness!  It was delicious!  And Ashley was very pleased.  She loved it!  Oh and also while Ashley was at work I bought a boat, but more about that in another post.

The fear will pass

When you step into your fears, and continue to push yourself to go on, something happens for you.  You begin to feel stronger.  A discovery of a new reality lights up your entire nervous system.  I already wrote about how I was very afraid when embarking on this journey.  I didn't want to show it, but I was, and man, I am so glad I persevered with my dream in spite of the fear.  I think more people would experience their dreams if they were so inspired to pass the fear and pain barrier to a new world of possibilities and adventure.  You must take the responsibility for where you are, and accept the responsibility to take yourself where you want to go.  The fear will pass, call it exposure therapy.  You will get stronger.  Trial by fire.  Only those who are willing to go too far, can ever discover how far one can go.  Discover the world, live your dream, don't let anything hold you back.  You want it, and if you are willing to go all out for it, you'll have it.  The harder the battle.  The sweeter the victory.

Here are some pictures:

Here Ashley and I are at the Nashville, TN airport on Jan 20th, 2015 embarking on our big scary adventure. :-)  Look at how fresh we look.  

Loaded up.

On a mountain lookout point in Boulder, CO.  We took a wrong turn on the first motorcycle ride together and ended up here.

Another cheesing loaded up shot.

Traffic selfie

Out our hotel window yesterday morning

Bikes can go where others can not.

Just chilling baby... no fear.  

Good morning Boulder, Colorado

So we were planning to leave today, and begin our journey South. However, the weather didn't agree with us. This would typically be just a cold day, but we are on a motorcycle. Oh what will we do?!

Motorcycle in Colorado?!!

So we haven't updated the blog in a while. We fly fro ciudad de panama to key west. We slept on a sailboat for two nights. Put in an offer on the boat. It wasn't accepted. So we flew to Denver. We stayed with a family friend for like 5 nights. Thanks a lot Suzanne. Then we came to Boulder Colorado. And then today I purchased a motorcycle! I'll update previous pics later. But here is the bike!

Happy St Patricks Day--From Denver, CO!!-(late post)

Wow, so how did we get here? Life is crazy and unexpected, but I am so thankful to have Joshua by my side. We have laughed so much the last little bit.

Panama City was the coolest,  largest & emptiest city we had ever been to. It was split into two very distinct sections- Casco Viejo (the old side) & the business district (the new side). The old side had culture and it was much easier to look over the beautiful skyline. Connecting the two, was a peaceful paved path with lights, vendors, people a fish market and music. We stayed in dorms in Luna's Castle, and our dorm had huge doors, twice my height. It also had 2 balconies that overlooked the city. It was so peaceful to look over the lights at night before climbing into bed. The balcony doors were always open.

So,for quite some time now we have been researching purchasing a sailboat. We checked out some in Central America, as we had planned, but none striked our fancy. We saw a chinese junk rig (Joshuas favorite) in Key West. We called up the guy, and talked with him about it on.That same day,   Sunday March 7th we sat at a oversized wooden table, with friends and strangers,  in a old 3 story hostel, named Luna's Castle and booked plane tickets for 8am Monday March 8th to Key West, Florida! Such a crazy thing. & just like that we were gone. Something I hope everyone gets to experience just at least once. . Life is so short. things pass by so quickly. the good & the bad.

Well, we made it to Key West, stayed two nights on a sailboat, did a lot of contemplating. We found and pet a Manatee, walked down Duvall street, and made a offer on a 34 foot sailboat. When it wasn't accepted, we jet setted to Denver, Co. Somewhere we have always wanted to go check out together. We got here and saw the snow on the ground, and thought..."what the heck are we doing here!!" but tonight is our 7th night in Denver. We just walked downtown. We've seen the snow capped rocky mountains.  It is definitely our kind of place. It seems very quaint for the most part. We are currently staying a sorts of b & b we booked on airbnb. It's nice, and one block from whole foods! We now have hot showers, temperature control, and familiar foods. I did not imagine I would be experiencing it again so soon!

Upon reflection of Central America, I kind of want to go back. It was a whirlwind. . Especially now that we are back, I think we realize how much fun we had!! The hostel life, is nothing you would imagine. There is nothing like it here in the states. late nights, early mornings, naps,  coffee, love, having my best friend with me, sun, sweat, chicken buses, clos wine, hiking, back packs, beans & rice, audible books, no ac, little privacy, bed bugs, no reservations, meeting people just like you & cold showers.The first two weeks was a bit of culture shock for me, but its hard to believe that we actually made it to Panama city (there were times we thought we would take a different route), and its hard to believe that its over. Now, just to plan for the next hosteling adventure...

Sitting here listening to music and texting!

An a couple from the hostel we are staying at Luna's castle.  It is seriously awesome!!