Dive into Our Travel Stories
Looking Back and Moving Forward:
Well, the day we've been looking forward to has finally arrived: our grand adventure has officially begun! Our first port of call is Delray Beach, Florida. It may not be a long journey, but it's the perfect way to dip our toes into this exciting new chapter! Honestly, I’ve never felt so thrilled and a bit nervous all at once. Right now, Eric is at the helm, skillfully navigating our boat through the waters toward our destination (trust me, it's a good thing I'm not behind the wheel—otherwise, we’d be headed completely off course! I mean, I’m a Capricorn but let’s just say my sense of direction is a work in progress! Sometimes I really have to think about which side of the boat is port or starboard!). As I sit here in the Parlor, jotting down these thoughts, I can't help but think about how we made it to this moment. For Eric, this has been a dream for a long time—he actually has his heart set on sailing around the world someday! But since I’m still learning the ropes of seamanship (and we all know about my little run-in with those “Atlanta Housewives” wannabes), we figured the Great Loop would be a fantastic way for me to pick up some skills while we enjoy our travels together and see how Branch and I adapt to life on the water! Finding our future home on the water took a little time. Eric preferred an older boat, thinking it might be less stressful for me to learn on. After all, it's definitely easier to manage a mishap on a less expensive boat than on a brand-new, multi-million-dollar vessel! We checked out several boats across Florida, but when I stumbled upon Friend~ship, I just knew she was “the one.” I reached out to the owner, who surprisingly thought she wouldn’t be available in three months when we were planning to return to Florida for more boat hunting. Luckily for us, she was still waiting for us, and now she’s ours! Honestly, Friend~ship ticked all the boxes on our wishlist, with the biggest one being a bathtub. And guess what? She has a full-size bathtub in the master berth! Setting up the boat to make it cozy and livable has certainly been an adventure, especially in the galley, or kitchen, where space is a bit tight! I’ll be putting together a boat tour video on YouTube soon so you can see how we’ve turned Friend~ship into our home and chat about some of the challenges we’ve faced with maintenance and repairs along the way. Can’t wait to share more of this journey with you!
It's a Never-Ending Fiesta of Fun!
Hey there! It’s been a little too long since we last caught up, and I thought it’d be nice to fill you in on what we've been up to. We started out happily anchored just outside the gorgeous West Palm Beach, soaking in all the sunshine! We’ve been enjoying our time at two different marinas—first, we spent some delightful days at Sailfish in Stuart, and now we’re making the most of our stay in Vero Beach! Of course, adventures on the water come with their share of surprises! We’ve run into a couple of minor bumps with the boat; right now, we’re waiting on a part for the generator, which has definitely kept us on our toes! During our time in Stuart, our trusty dinghy needed a little extra love, and let’s just say that our Vacuflush in the master berth decided it was time for a little strike. Poor Eric squeezed his tall 6-foot frame into a space that clearly wasn’t designed for anyone over 5'7"! It was quite the messy adventure, but he handled it like a champ and got it all fixed up! We’re also tackling some ongoing issues with the generator, and there’s a pesky oil leak we’ll sort out soon. All while gearing up for our exciting trip to New Orleans! I can’t wait to share more stories with you!
Branch's First Adventure into Blogland!
Ahoy, me hearties! It's your favorite furry navigator, Branch, here to regale you with my grand nautical escapades! Now, I might have earned my stripes as a boat dog, but let’s not go overboard—it’s a smidge embellished, I confess! The true tale is that I’m shimmying along this rocking wonderland thanks to the magnificent Captain Mom, aka the extraordinary Beth! But let’s not get too froggy—I've got legs shorter than a snack-sized hot dog, barely two inches off the deck! If we ever hit the water, I’d be more of a buoyant rubber ducky than an Olympic swimmer—seriously! Those alligators could be eyeing me as a light appetizer, and even the local iguanas are like my very own bouncer crew—they’re so beefy they could probably bench-press me with one claw tied behind their backs! But let’s not get too down in the dumps (or should I say down in the dog bed?)—life on the sparkling sea is pawsitively delightful! It’s a treasure trove of tantalizing whiffs, stunning vistas, and the refreshing breeze giving my stylish fur a lovely tussle! There’s just one itsy-bitsy wrinkle in my blissful boat life: Eric! Goodness gracious, that bed hog is *massive*! Honestly, if you ever lose your sleeping bag, just follow the symphony of snoring—it’s his royal throne, and heaven help anyone who dares to disturb his slumber! So, here’s to my boat-tastic ventures, even if I’m the tiniest sailor swabbing the deck! 🌊🐾 We recently hoisted our sails from a place called Vero Beach and journeyed to the fabulous Titusville. But whoa, Nelly, was Mom in a tizzy! The generator was throwing a full-blown fit, and while we cruised from Vero to Titusville, Mom was meant to unleash her inner cleaning sorceress and spruce up the carpets for some guests (side note: I was exiled to the bedroom—people make me wiggle with worry!). Poor Mom was juggling more than a circus clown—cleaning and cooking while I was on a mission to dodge the dust bunnies! But fret not, my sea-faring friends! Like the ultimate captain she is, she sailed through the storm, and everything turned out shipshape in the end! For a taste of her kitchen shenanigans and the wild waves of entertaining aboard our seafaring home, dive into her Kitchen blog! Bon appétit, and happy sailing! 🍽️✨