Feet in Portland, Oregon, head in the Caribbean

[goshea]

Hi, I'm new to the board and to cruising. I grew up on the Gulf of Mexico, worked shrimp boats in HS and read Robb White novels, dreaming of my own escapes. Took a break in the middle of college and spent six years running an engineroom on a USN oiler. Finished school and have been bouncing between the US coasts, itinerant writer, father, husband, big-wave surfer. My wife and I are buying a pocket cruiser with the goal of gaining seamanship skills to move up to a larger, liveaboard in 3-5 years and hopefully make sail back to the warmer latitudes. I don't charge waves over twenty feet anymore, but can't imagine ever giving up the ocean. I look forward to sharing my finely tuned whiskey sour recipe with any of you in person someday, hopefully in the cockpit of our cruiser, anchored off Orient beach.

Aloha!

[sailorgal]

Welcome to the board.

I lived down in Corvallis for a number of years and made many trips out to Newport. I love Portland. It's one of my favorite cities.

I'm currently in Gainesville, FL. but my significant other and our boat are in the Pensacola area, where I also lived for many years. I like both locations, although Florida is a little warmer

So -- what's your secret for that perfect whiskey sour????

[goshea]

Thanks, Sailorgal. Lived in Biloxi for many years, spent a lot of holidays on Santa Rosa Island, exploring Ft. Pickens and the WWII batteries with my brothers and sister. I'm tired of my wetsuit and the long flight to Hawaii to avoid using it.

I won't give away all of my secrets, since my wife and I sacrificed many summer evenings, our butts firmly planted in the front porch adirondacks, trial and erroring our way to the perfect whiskey sour, however, fresh-squeezed lemon juice is one key ingredient.

[sailorgal]

A friend of mine used to be a park ranger out at Ft. Pickens. She lived out there too. Lots of good times there. I lived in Pensacola Beach for a while and also on the Santa Rosa sound about 11 miles east of Gulf Breeze. I learned to sail in the Santa Rosa sound and raced on a boat out of the Pensacola Beach Yacht club. Ahh-- good times!

I also lived in San Francisco in the mid 80s. Lived in Cole Valley, in the Sunset district and at the very west end of Anza street overlooking the Pacific and a block from the Cliff House. I loved it there!

[goshea]

Sounds like we've been crossing paths for years. My folks are from SF, mom from very close to Cole Valley, in Sunset Dist., and dad from Mission.

And I spent a number of years in Corvallis, working on my BA and then working for HP.

First sailing I did was on the Back Bay of Biloxi. Never raced, but caught a lot of blue crab.

[john540]

I've been crossing paths with both of you. Lived on Dolores in SF, and while in VanWa, worked and went to school in Portland. The plan is to sail south from the SF bay area to Mexico and then beyond this fall, however, events may conspire to postpone the trip south until next year. Looking forward to meeting in the surf lineup someday with cocktails on the beach or deck afterwards!

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Goshea,
Was just up in Portland flying back here to Hawaii after 2 weeks in Salem. I didn't get to roam the docks there this time but normally I do. Too much family business to take care of.
Fort Pickens was something I did while stationed near Pensacola.
The Cliff house in SF is long gone, yes? I remember it from my early Navy career.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[john540]

The Cliff House has been rebuilt, it looks like a modern abomination.

[goshea]

I guess a certain type is drawn to sailing and cruising and it's probably the same type that is drawn to places like SF, Pensacola, Hanalei, etc. Very nice to make all of your virtual acquaintance. I look forward to time on the water with you!

[SkiprJohn]

I'm glad you liked Hanalei. I consider it heaven on earth.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[goshea]

It's the best place in the world. That's where I took my wife to woo her and then we brought the whole clan back to tie the knot at Pine Trees (Wai'oli Beach park).

Nani' Kaua'i, Nani' Kaua'i

[SkiprJohn]

My wife and I were married in Rainbow Bay off the Arizona Memorial aboard the 34 ft sloop "True Love." Had a 21 gun salute because it was Armed Forces Day.
Doesn't get any better than life in Hawaii. If only I could get cruising again.
Regards,
JohnL

[goshea]

So, I should have added, anybody looking for crew in the Portland, Oregon area, please give me a shout. I'll be ready to go most anytime, throughout the year. And, more than likely, my wife will come along too, if you like.

aloha!