Escape on the Water

Summary

A couple embarks on a month-long boat journey up the BC, Canada coast, marking their first extended trip in over a decade despite the challenges of restoring their century-old wooden boat and personal family trials.

Abstract

The authors describe their journey on their restored wooden boat, which they've owned for a decade but were only recently able to use for an extended period due to family circumstances and the significant restoration work required. They set sail for a month-long voyage along the coast of BC, Canada, sharing their experiences, including a hospital visit for stitches, the beauty of the places they've visited, and the simple routines they've adopted while living on the water. The trip, which includes encounters with marine life and picturesque landscapes, is a testament to their love for the sea and the comfort of being at home on their boat.

Opinions

The authors express a sense of accomplishment and relief at finally being able to take their boat out for an extended trip after years of restoration and personal challenges.
They convey a deep appreciation for the beauty of the BC coastline, emphasizing the unique experience of traveling in one's own home.
The couple seems to find joy in the simple routines of life on the boat, which includes reading, caring for their dogs, cooking, and writing.
They share a sense of adventure and resilience, continuing their voyage despite an early mishap requiring medical attention.
The authors' photographs and captions suggest a strong emotional connection to the places they visit and the journey itself.

A trip up the coast

Our floating home taking us to sea. Photo credit: Catherine Dunn-Gilbert

For the first time in over a decade, we are out on our boat for more than a few days at a time. Which is startling but understandable now we think about it. We’ve owned the boat for all that time, but life got in the way. Some serious challenges in our family situation during the past decade forced us to move house more than once. We ended up renting two different homes before finally being able to buy once more before we reached the point where we would no longer need to house a crew of teens and young adults. Our life was caught up in some difficult realities that consumed time, energy and money.

Not only that but our boat which is almost one hundred years old and made of wood requires significant restoration to keep it going. My partner was the one doing it all himself in his spare time when he was not doing the paid work that keeps us afloat financially. For some time, the boat was cloaked in a semi-permanent shed that allowed him to rebuild decks and replace decades-old planks and frames and we were unable to take her anywhere.

Finally, the boat was ready and we saw a window of time that we could block off when both of us were free to leave the dock for an extended period. And thus we began what we expect to be a month-long voyage a little way up the coast of BC, Canada where we live.

Buoy marking our departure from waters close to where we live. Photo Credit: Catherine Dunn-Gilbert

We are ten days into our trip and it’s been wonderful, although not without its mishaps including a trip to the hospital for stitches for the Captain (my partner) on day four. But all is well and we continued.

The following photos chronicle a bit of our voyage to date.

A view of Vancouver, BC as we head across the Salish Sea on day two. Photo Credit: Catherine Dunn-Gilbert

Smugglers Cove Marine Park included beautiful sunsets. Day three. Photo Credit: Catherine Dunn-Gilbert

The dogs don’t so much enjoy the hours spent travelling. Photo credit: Catherine Dunn-Gilbert

Sea stars with incredible colour. Photo credit: Catherine Dunn-Gilbert

Wild roses and other flowers dot the landscape ashore. Photo credit: Catherine Dunn-Gilbert

One of the different aspects of this holiday for us is that since we moved onto our boat to live two years ago we are actually travelling in our home. We are away from our home port but have most of the “comforts of home” with us.

Our routines are simple; if it is not a day that we are heading for another spot to anchor our time rotates through reading, taking the dogs ashore, making meals and eating them, and for me writing something most days. A pretty nice schedule if you like this sort of thing!

We have seen whales, seals and dolphins and I imagine we will see more over the next few weeks. The BC coastline is a beautiful place to visit if you ever get the chance.

Our escape is not over, and more adventures await us I am sure.