The beginning!

We are now only days away from departing for France and starting the 2018 boating season -- our first. Excitement abounds! 

It has been a pretty hectic last few months; packing up our house in Portland, getting it ready for sale, and going through the sales process while simultaneously "hunting" for a new abode. Sale of Portland home completed this week, and contract for new home signed.

And yes, we have decided to abolish winter, and with it, any kind of weather phenomena even minimally associated with that season. No More Snow! Or sleet, frost, black ice, or shoveling. So next stop is Sarasota, Florida, where we are now in the process of building a new house, to be ready sometime this summer.

Meanwhile, next week we are heading to the Burgundy region of France to get on board the boat we bought last fall, a 44' beauty outfitted for long-term living and in mint condition. Our plan going forward is to spend 5-6 months of each year exploring the thousands of miles of rivers and canals in Western Europe, not to mention the gastronomical and oenological culture of said region. Or architectural delights. Watch this space for updates and travel tips!

And once the fall rolls around, we'll winterize the boat, leave in our marina, and retreat to the hardship of the Sunshine State. Watch this space for beach recommendations!