Our photo blog of traveling as a family on our homebuilt sailboat.

2013 Photos

Photos of our 2013 Nova Scotia trip

2012 Photos

More photos! View our 6 week trip in 2012 to Canada and Maine.

Sep 21, 2008

Hello family and friends,
I am going to add photos with just a few words to let you know where and what we are up to (and to help us remember people, places and experiences).

If you go to the bottom of the blog and work your way up...it is in chronological order, past to present (or most recent).

We think of you all often.

Enjoy,
Debbie, Mike, Rheannon and Nicolas

Gulf of Maine

Gulf of Maine
Ooops!

Grand Manan Island, Bay of Fundy

Grand Manan Island, Bay of Fundy

Terrapin under sail

Terrapin under sail

Westport, Nova Scotia

Westport, Nova Scotia
Nicolas with fishing boats

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia
Building loster pots with a new friend

Night sailing

Night sailing

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia
Old boneyard.

The wood stove Mike built keeping us warm

Pretty please?

Halifax Oct 2010

Halifax Oct 2010

Finally the world has stopped moving!

Mike navigating on computer charts

Mike navigating on computer charts

In the galley

In the galley

Snugged down in a fishermans harbor

Sunset on the St. Lawrence

Sunset on the St. Lawrence

Gulf of St. Lawrence

Gulf of St. Lawrence
Gathering storm.

Gulf of St. Lawrence

Gulf of St. Lawrence
Underway

Shippagan, New Brunswick

Shippagan, New Brunswick
Friends

Quebec City

Quebec City
The only walled city in North America?

Quebec City

Quebec City
Classic european architecture

Quebec City

Quebec City
Inner harbor

Thousand Islands/St. Lawrence Seaway

Thousand Islands/St. Lawrence Seaway
Modest little home on the Seaway

Kingston, Ontario

Kingston, Ontario

Kingston, Ontario Aug. 2010

Kingston, Ontario Aug. 2010
Which hand? Kingston, Ontario Aug. 2010

Lake cayuga, NY aug. 2010

Lake cayuga, NY aug. 2010
Getting ready to relaunch boat

Flying from Seattle to NY and Terrapin

Flying from Seattle to NY and Terrapin
Mount Rainer

Mike's mom's Cafe in Darrington, Wa

Mike's mom's Cafe in Darrington, Wa
White Horse Mountain

Pike Place Market, Seattle

Pike Place Market, Seattle

Bird at sea near Bermuda

Bird at sea near Bermuda

Gecko

Gecko

Rooster

Rooster

Chicken in Tortolla, BVI

Chicken in Tortolla, BVI

BVI

BVI

Mike and a friend, Simon deliever a Beneteau 50.

Mike and a friend, Simon deliever a Beneteau 50.
From the BVI to Annapolis, MD in May 2010

August 2009, Erie Canal

August 2009, Erie Canal

Erie Canal Lock

Erie Canal Lock

Foggy Maine

Foggy Maine

Lobster dinner.

Lobster dinner.
Mike was bummed, we were not allowed to catch them ourselves. They all belong to Lobster Fishermen.

They like each other!!

They like each other!!

Cats under the dodger

Cats under the dodger

Robin made this hat for Rheannon. Great job spinning and knitting.

Robin made this hat for Rheannon. Great job spinning and knitting.

Visiting the Capital

Visiting the Capital

Those green, red and blue containers on the ship are what semi trucks tow.

Those green, red and blue containers on the ship are what semi trucks tow.

Peragrin Falcons putting nav aids to good use.

Peragrin Falcons putting nav aids to good use.
Glad the Coast Guard gave up on keeping the birds off and just designed aids to accomidate the birds as well as the boaters.

boats in Martha's Vineyard Harbor

boats in Martha's Vineyard Harbor

Mike makes delicious hushpuppies/corn fritters.

Mike makes delicious hushpuppies/corn fritters.

Mussels for dinner

Mussels for dinner

Debbie and Nicolas going to collect mussels from a derelic shrimp boat.

Debbie and Nicolas going to collect mussels from a derelic shrimp boat.
The boat's bottom has a huge colony of sealife. Mike is up the mast.

Kids going for a row in Martha's Vineyard.

Kids going for a row in Martha's Vineyard.

Cleaning...ugh.

Cleaning...ugh.

Oliver isn't sure.

Oliver isn't sure.

Mike caught dinner off the Atlantic coast of Long Island, NY.

Mike caught dinner off the Atlantic coast of Long Island, NY.
Blue fish...we think.

At the boat yard Debbie finished rigging the little boat to sail. Mike's trying her out.

At the boat yard Debbie finished rigging the little boat to sail. Mike's trying her out.

Farmers market 2 blocks from the boat. Rheannon and Cara having fun!

Farmers market 2 blocks from the boat. Rheannon and Cara having fun!

Sunset at anchor.

Sunset at anchor.

Lunch with John at an Indian restaurant in Seattle.

Lunch with John at an Indian restaurant in Seattle.

Nicolas's favorite spot while visiting Gramps and Virginia.

Nicolas's favorite spot while visiting Gramps and Virginia.
Tired after a day out. in Seattle.

In April '09 we visited family and friends in Seattle

In April '09 we visited family and friends in Seattle
Visiting Debbie and Gramps college, UW

In spring we sailed Terrapin up the Severn river to visit a friend with water front and a dock.

In spring we sailed Terrapin up the Severn river to visit a friend with water front and a dock.
The frozen water kept us from the dock, but we still enjoyed our visit.

After a winter at the dock the cats are alittle distressed by a sail

After a winter at the dock the cats are alittle distressed by a sail

Relaxing in garden area of Spa Creek Marina

Relaxing in garden area of Spa Creek Marina

Another liveaboard, Jeff and his dog

Another liveaboard, Jeff and his dog

On bridge overlooking Spa Creek Marina.

On bridge overlooking Spa Creek Marina.
We walked the bridge often to go to downtown Annapolis

Our dock in Annapolis, Spa Creek Marina

Our dock in Annapolis, Spa Creek Marina
2009

Snow on boat and dock

Snow on boat and dock

We spent the 2008/09 winter in Annapolis at Spa Creek Marina

We spent the 2008/09 winter in Annapolis at Spa Creek Marina

Rheannon sitting in cockpit.

Rheannon sitting in cockpit.
We are now anchored off Annapolis, Maryland.

Rheannon got caught with the crabbing bug. They are so fun to hunt and catch. They're fast!

Rheannon got caught with the crabbing bug. They are so fun to hunt and catch. They're fast!
We are tied up to the Maritime Museum in St Michaels, MD.

At anchor in St Michaels, Maryland.

At anchor in St Michaels, Maryland.

Chesapeake Crabs.

Chesapeake Crabs.

We didn't have the heart to kill them and eat them. So we let them go.

We didn't have the heart to kill them and eat them. So we let them go.
Mike was disappointed no cakes for dinner.

Rheannon in the water, Mike in the dingy.

Rheannon in the water, Mike in the dingy.

cooling off on a hot day on the Chesapeake Bay.

cooling off on a hot day on the Chesapeake Bay.
Nicolas waiting his turn.

Finally, we got the name on the boat, carved in the transom (by now it is painted bright yellow).

Finally, we got the name on the boat, carved in the transom (by now it is painted bright yellow).
Cute photo of Oliver. He always comes on deck and says hello when we come home or sits and says bye as we leave.

Oliver is always looking for places to squeeze into. The boat offers lots of options!

Oliver is always looking for places to squeeze into. The boat offers lots of options!

Horseshoe crab skeleton. Found on the beach of ICW.

Horseshoe crab skeleton. Found on the beach of ICW.

Rheannon paddling Billy Wind style on the Intra Coastal Waterway, East Cost USA.

Rheannon paddling Billy Wind style on the Intra Coastal Waterway, East Cost USA.
Rheannon read and loved the book Talking Earth by Jean Craighead George. Rheannon was not allowed to paddle a canoe solo in the Everglades. This is as close as she could get for now.

Debbie in Rheannon's canoe, Calamae.

Debbie in Rheannon's canoe, Calamae.

Mike, Rheannon and Nicolas.

Mike, Rheannon and Nicolas.
Later we rafted together to eat lunch.

Mike and Oliver napping on a settee after a long night of sailing.

Mike and Oliver napping on a settee after a long night of sailing.
Oliver gets super cuddly when the boat gets moving under sail.

Rheannon and Nicolas sitting on "Hatchling", the dinghy, enjoying the sail.

Rheannon and Nicolas sitting on "Hatchling", the dinghy, enjoying the sail.

Rheannon tossing our message in a bottle overboard. We sent a note and one of our boat cards.

Rheannon tossing our message in a bottle overboard. We sent a note and one of our boat cards.
We got a note in the mail. A biologist checking the beach daily for stranded sea life found our bottle the next day. She had seen our sails the day before.

Rheannon with shrimp boats in the background.

Rheannon with shrimp boats in the background.
On this day off the coast of Georgia we were surrounded by 6 or 7 shrimp boats.

Rheannon and 2 friends.

Rheannon and 2 friends.
We met a family of 5 sailing back to Maine after a year aboard. Great joy finding kids on a baot.

Lounging on the boat while underway, sailing.

Lounging on the boat while underway, sailing.
Rheannon forward on the "desk", Nicolas on his berth, Oliver, the cat on the settee. Mike's at the helm and I'm taking the photo.

"Therapy " for Nicolas. Climbing on the Treaty Live Oak in Jacksonville, Fl.k

"Therapy " for Nicolas. Climbing on the Treaty Live Oak in Jacksonville, Fl.k
Visiting old haunts from when we lived in Jacsonville.

Rheannon climbs a bit higher.

Rheannon climbs a bit higher.

Family photo time.

Family photo time.
A couple visiting from Israel took this photo for us.

Before leaving Florida heading north up teh East Coast in April '08 we hauled out.

Before leaving Florida heading north up teh East Coast in April '08 we hauled out.
We are getting ready to head to Maine for the summer.

Rheannon did ask to be dropped and we did pull her up quickly!

Rheannon did ask to be dropped and we did pull her up quickly!

Rheannon having fun and showing Nicolas how it is done.

Rheannon having fun and showing Nicolas how it is done.
She kicks off the hull of the boat just above the water line. This is the anchorage in Ft Myers Beach.

Nicolas screams bloody murder when we are getting him set up to swing, but then he loves it.

Nicolas screams bloody murder when we are getting him set up to swing, but then he loves it.

Nicolas getting more comfortable on the swing

Nicolas getting more comfortable on the swing

Last time at the farmers' market. We made friends with a few of the vendors.

Last time at the farmers' market. We made friends with a few of the vendors.
They loaded our arms with Nicolas's favorite fruits and veggies.

Rheannon busking at the Fort Myers farmers' market.

Rheannon busking at the Fort Myers farmers' market.

A heron come to visit in Ft Myers Beach.

A heron come to visit in Ft Myers Beach.

Rheannon and Jillian sharing a 'drinking' coconut.

Rheannon and Jillian sharing a 'drinking' coconut.
I didn't have the camera when Mike and Rheannon and Debbie were climbing and tring to climb the trees to pick these coconuts.

Cousin Jillian & Aunt Mandi came to visit us in Mt Myers Beach..

Cousin Jillian & Aunt Mandi came to visit us in Mt Myers Beach..
Rheannon, Jillian and Nicolas ready to sail.

Odd life form on the beach. What is it?

Odd life form on the beach. What is it?
It looks like it should be soft and gooey but it is hard and smooth. Maybe a root?

Big birthday gift from Uncle Dave and Uncle John, a beautiful Mac that can go on line!!!!

Big birthday gift from Uncle Dave and Uncle John, a beautiful Mac that can go on line!!!!

We took Brad, Lajean & Kira sailing.

We took Brad, Lajean & Kira sailing.
Mike particularly liked it when Brad took the helm and tacked us back up the channel into Matanzas Pass and the Ft Myers anchorage. Brad grew up sailing these waters. He pushed our boat and was pleased with her performance.

Lajean holding our group art project: Brad, Lajean, Andrea, Kira, Mike, Debbie, Rheannon & Nicolas.

Lajean holding our group art project: Brad, Lajean, Andrea, Kira, Mike, Debbie, Rheannon & Nicolas.
We took turns, three minutes each adding onto the canvas, then a final one minute each to finish. The photo does not do the art justice!! What fun!!

Rheannon and Andrea playing at Andrea's water front home.

Rheannon and Andrea playing at Andrea's water front home.
The Ft Myers Beach anchorage is right in front of them. A few people on boats clapped when they finished each song. The palm tree is made of PVC pipe heated, formed, cut and painted.

Egg/Coconut hunt time.

Egg/Coconut hunt time.

Rheannon would paddle her canoe to their home and disappear in an art activity for hours.

Rheannon would paddle her canoe to their home and disappear in an art activity for hours.

Easter coconut decorating.

Easter coconut decorating.
Andrea, Rheannon, Kira and Nicolas.

Rheannon, Andrea and Nicolas drawing on cloth with permanent pens.

Rheannon, Andrea and Nicolas drawing on cloth with permanent pens.

Henna in Fort Myers Beach.

Henna in Fort Myers Beach.
We met a great family of artist living ashore near our boat in Ft Myers Beach. They invited us over for many creative activities.

Surfing and beaching it with friends in Ft Myers Beach.

Surfing and beaching it with friends in Ft Myers Beach.
Brad made the surf board.

Pax

Pax
Friends in the Keys, worked at the Dolphin center and they gave us passes to swim with the dolphin, Pax.

Nicolas giving and getting a hand/flipper shake with Pax

Nicolas giving and getting a hand/flipper shake with Pax

Debbie getting a dolphin kiss from Pax.

Debbie getting a dolphin kiss from Pax.

Mike with Pax

Mike with Pax

Rheannon swimming with Pax

Rheannon swimming with Pax

Another fun toy! Gulf cart driving. Steve was great at trying to get Nicolas to steer.

Another fun toy! Gulf cart driving. Steve was great at trying to get Nicolas to steer.
Steve always stayed in the driver seat!

A friend, Steve in the keys wanted to introduce Nicolas to the joy of motorcycles.

A friend, Steve in the keys wanted to introduce Nicolas to the joy of motorcycles.
Just in the parking lot!!

X-Mas in Fort Myers 2007

X-Mas in Fort Myers 2007

Oliver our adopted orphan cat.

Oliver our adopted orphan cat.
We found him abandoned at a state park in Illinois.

Nicolas hanging in Debbie & Mike's berth. Undoubtedly music with a good beat is playing for him.

Nicolas hanging in Debbie & Mike's berth. Undoubtedly music with a good beat is playing for him.

Coasting along under sail

Coasting along under sail

Sailing after many weeks mastless traveling down the rivers.

Sailing after many weeks mastless traveling down the rivers.
Can you see the knot meter reading 8. That's fast !!! for us.

Traveling on the river

Traveling on the river

Sunset on a warm evening.

Sunset on a warm evening.

Mike and a catfish

Mike and a catfish

We crashed a family Thanksgiving meal at Hagey's Catfish Hotel.

We crashed a family Thanksgiving meal at Hagey's Catfish Hotel.
We joined 50 some members of the Hagey Family at their restaurant for wonderful fellowship and food.

"torture" swinging from the mast.

"torture" swinging from the mast.
Nicolas and Debbie not sure this is fun.

Misty fall day 2007 on the rivers between Chicago and Gulf of Mexico.

Misty fall day 2007 on the rivers between Chicago and Gulf of Mexico.

Nice park ranger gave us a ride home 5min by car 2.5 hrs by foot from Homeplace 1850 living museum.

Nice park ranger gave us a ride home 5min by car 2.5 hrs by foot from Homeplace 1850 living museum.
Kentucky land between the lakes with Ilsa, Rheannon, Nicolas and Park ranger and van!

November 2007 Ilsa visits Kentucky Lake

November 2007 Ilsa visits Kentucky Lake

Oct 2007 Alice, Robin and Elisabeth visit

Oct 2007 Alice, Robin and Elisabeth visit

Going through the 'valley' of down town Chicago.

Going through the 'valley' of down town Chicago.
Debbie sitting on our lowered masts. Two bridges are broken in the down position in Chicago...so the mast must come down. There are 20 some bridges beyond Chicago so we left them down for awhile to make for a easier & faster transit.

Rainy day on the Great Lakes

Rainy day on the Great Lakes

Maiden sail. Thanks for the photo Susan! We sailed from the boatyard on a river to a park on Lake M

Maiden sail. Thanks for the photo Susan! We sailed from the boatyard on a river to a park on Lake M
A bunch of friends were waiting & waiting to greet us, feed us & celebrate with us!

Debbie and Nicolas canoeing

Debbie and Nicolas canoeing

Terrapin tied at Southwind Marina's dock. Rheannon and Nicolas in the canoe.

Terrapin tied at Southwind Marina's dock. Rheannon and Nicolas in the canoe.
Once we in the water the boat yard let us live aboard at their dock for a few weeks finishing some more items on the to do list.

Nicolas helping Mike

Nicolas helping Mike

Digging for lost something in the cockpit.

Digging for lost something in the cockpit.

Launch day September 2007

Launch day September 2007

One of two camp grounds we went to each night after working in the boat yard.

One of two camp grounds we went to each night after working in the boat yard.
Because of liability we were not allowed to sleep on Terrapin in the yard.

Rheannon and Nicolas cooling off in the boat yard.

Rheannon and Nicolas cooling off in the boat yard.

Our first 'anchorage' after Madison.

Our first 'anchorage' after Madison.
We were on the hard here for a month. Installing our stanchions & life lines were first on Debbie's to do list.

Neighbor friends seeing us off. Watching the end of a long neighborhood project

Neighbor friends seeing us off. Watching the end of a long neighborhood project

Moving Day !

Moving Day !
The truck pulling Terrapin got stuck in the mud. He called a tow truck to pull him pulling Terrapin!

Wet and muddy help.

Wet and muddy help.

One up, second on it's way. We were so happy for all the helping hands.

One up, second on it's way. We were so happy for all the helping hands.

In Madison friends helped us load the masts onto the boat for transport to Milwaukee.

In Madison friends helped us load the masts onto the boat for transport to Milwaukee.

Building the Masts.

Building the Masts.

Installing Teak deck.

Installing Teak deck.

Building our shop, boat alongside. Now in Madison, Wis.

Building our shop, boat alongside. Now in Madison, Wis.

Building the interior

Building the interior

Rolling the hull over, March 1999 Jacksonville, Fl.

Rolling the hull over, March 1999 Jacksonville, Fl.
Rolling the hull over, March 1999

Sept 1998, Start building. Jacksonville, Fl.

Sept 1998, Start building. Jacksonville, Fl.
Sept 1998, Start building.