Sailing on the Salish Seas

Hi Everyone!
I've been working for Salish Sea Expeditions during the last month. We've been sailing on Puget Sound, and last Thursday and Friday, I helped transit our boat (S/V Carlyn) to Anacortes for programs in the San Juan Islands. If you want to better understand my job aboard this beautiful 61-foot sailing vessel, visit www.salish.org. I'm Mate. Communication with the outside world is sporadic, because we officially don't use cell phones, computers, blogs, email, or Blackberries unless there is an urgent need to do so. I'll become more available after Oct. 15.

In 2 days, Eric, Beth, and I head to the East Coast for a reunion, family and friend visits, and college tours. We're staying with the Garrity's Wednesday night (Cecilia, I'll email you ASAP with final plans!) When I return from this trip on Oct 2, I head to Salish the next morning.

It's a wonderful outdoor education program and a blast, but intense 24 hour days on the water with lots of students. The students, science, sailing, and crew keep me energized. But after five years, 10 seasons, I'm thinking I may want to cut back my time next spring. Beth is in her last year of high school, and I want to spend time with her and her senior year (empty nest syndrome, perhaps?) Additionally, I have some further training I want to do. And Jazzfest is just around the corner.

So, I'll write back soon. Thanks, Colleen, for helping my get back into the blog. The email announcements from folks are not consistent. I haven't received them everytime. But now I've set things up to check more regularly.

love,
Betsy