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tjsailing · 09-06-2014, 11:03

I have been lurking on the site for some time and have managed to waste hours and hours of time reading threads (and following them to other pages, and to even more pages from there). I am not new to sailing - have raced for several years, including completing the Van Isle 360 (a circumnavigation of Vancouver Island), several Southern Straits races (including 2010 - PNW racers will understand the significance of this year) and several Swiftsures. Cruising came many years later and though I was concerned I would be bored cruising, it took about 10.3 seconds for me to adjust to cruising mode! My SO has been working on his 36' Van de Stadt for about 13 years - we have decided it will never be finished but it takes us where we want to go and since I jumped on board, the work has been progressing, always with the idea that there will be a time when we throw off the bow-lines and let her take us where she will. We have enjoyed a trip to Gwaii Hanas with her, as well as a wonderful cruise through the San Jauns for 3 weeks last summer. This summer will see us head north again for a couple of weeks - Desolation Sound and perhaps the Broughton Archipellago. Living in the Gulf Islands, we are frequently able to head out for 2 or 3 day trips to wonderful anchorages and do so as often as possible and at nearly all times of year. But even with all of the wonderful sailing that we are able to do - the dream to head south is always there (still undetermined as to whether it would be a left turn at the Panama Canal or the longer passage to the Marquesas). I recently read Love with a Chance of Drowning (if you haven't you should!) and it again reignited that urge to just go - Tania Aibe's Maiden Voyage is to be my summer reading and I fear it just might lead to a "For Sale" sign up in front of both houses!

Eeek - time to stop babbling and get back to lurking through the forums!

TJ