Our beautiful boat!!!

I don't know what we're more happy about....to have a boat again, or to be out of the box!! I'm telling you, that box life was not for us, at all! There's a reason why I never took an interior picture of the place, {which is odd for me, because I usually document everything with photos} but this was one area of our life that we don't care to remember. They said when I rented it, that they don't usually recommend our cabin size for couples, because they go in talking and leave not speaking to each other. And though that wasn't the case for us {we're not your typical couple}, we are both extremely happy to be out of there!!!

Now, onto what you're really here for....pictures that you really want to see!!! :)

Remnants of the sunset and our boat, front & center!!

Can I just say how much I love our new to us boat!!! Ain't she a beauty?!? Okay, okay, more pictures.....

Hello there beautiful, walk-thru transom...no more crouching over the side to climb aboard!!

The salon area....

Six foot bigger may not seem that much to everyone, but when you live on a boat....6' makes a world of difference!!!! It's not just longer than our last one, she is also 2' wider! The floor plan is mostly the same as our last boat, but one noticeable difference is the two cabins, complete with real-live doors for actual privacy {when guests come visit}!!

Here's a peek into the aft cabin, where we sleep!

The head {bathroom}....it's so much bigger than our last one, you could spin around in there, if you wanted to....that would be weird, though!! 

The v-berth, where our guests will most likely be sleeping {yes, we'll remove the extra cushions first...probably}! Most of this is usually kept in the cockpit, but when it rains the v-berth becomes the storage area. Let's hope it doesn't rain when you're here visiting!! ;)

And speaking of noticeably different.... My new galley is much more spacious!!! I now have all galley items {food & dishes} actually in the galley, versus stowed in every nook & cranny like on our first Catalina! I didn't waste any time getting back to cooking either! I have been cooking every day & even as I am typing this, the boat is filling up with the aroma of banana bread baking in the oven....man, I've missed my "easy-bake oven"!!!

Friday, we moved the boat into the Marina. Saturday was spent going back & forth to get our things out of storage and by Tuesday we were completely unpacked....{all my cross country living & moving came in handy}! For the last two days I've been decorating & making it look and feel like a home!! We have now been on the boat for exactly a week and all it wants to do is rain, so no sailing just yet....I guess it's time for a movie marathon in a really clean & organized boat!!!

And just in case I missed anything, here's a shot of the floorplan....

After being homeless for two months, we are ecstatic to be back on a boat....our boat!!!!

So, what do you think?!

We've moved, again....

The box is what I have so affectionately named our temporary dwelling. This little cabin is where we will be taking up residence for at least, the next four weeks.

 We have got to find another boat and fast! 

Sure, I could take pictures to show you the inside, but really, it would just be one picture because it is that small! I will give you a vivid description however, that should prove to be far more enlightening! When you walk through the door, on the right wall {of the box} there's a light colored faux wood desk accompanied by two light colored wicker chairs, complete with green vinyl, circa 1960's, I'm sure! It is followed by a tv stand {that I'm pretty sure is covering the water heater} an uber small TV along with an even smaller DVD player. Now we are at the back wall of the box, where there's a super small & thankfully, closed off bathroom. Its depth is as wide as a shower stall and there's a toilet across from the shower. Come out of the tiny bathroom and there's a "kitchenette" with a little bar sink, microwave, itty-bitty coffee pot, a couple of cabinets & a dorm sized refrigerator. And lastly, on the left wall of the box, we have a lovely set of.....wait for it....bunk beds, oh yeah, you read that right! :/ There was a little joking on "who gets the top bunk" but all joking aside, I can't remember the last time I actually slept in a bunk bed and here I am, mid-thirties, sleeping in a bunk bed. And just in case you were wondering, no they are not the kind you can remove the top part of and put side by side, not that there would be room for that anyways, in the box. :[

In fact, hubs & I were talking the other night & he said it is actually smaller than the living space of our 30' sailboat. So there you have it! 

There may not be any sailboats in our immediate view {literal & metaphorically speaking} but one thing remains the same, we still have incredibly amazing sunsets, like this one from last night!!

Where have we been?

This last week, the crew of Irie {i.e. hubs and I} flew to the Bahamas to see our friends and fellow sailors, on s/v MiJoy!!! It is good to have friends in pretty places! :)

And oh, what a pretty place this is!!!!

We first met Mike & Joyce when we moved to Kemah and quickly became good friends, really more like family! 

It was so very nice of them to share their boat with us.....and yes, we still want to go cruising ourselves! 

We did so many fun, new & interesting things....I'll try and recap everything from the last ten days! 

Let's see, there was, 

• Ocean/transom showers

• Swimming, standing with stingrays

 

• Island hiking 

• Attended beach church with sandy toes 

• Explored a deserted island 

•{attempted to} blow a conch shell & picked up a few other shells, as well

•Played lots of beach volleyball 

•Slept on a trampoline {at least that's what it feels like when you're at anchor and there's strong winds}

•Sailed to Lee Stocking Island & back to Elizabeth Harbor

And saw some amazing sunsets

 And even a moonrise (I don't know why there's not moonrises & moonsets)

 

Yep! I'd say it's safe to say, we had an unbelievably incredible trip and can't wait to go back! Maybe our next visit will be on our own boat....that's the goal, anyways!

 

Who wants to come see us, when we're out there cruising the islands?

Sunsets & Sailboats, Tan Lines & Mast Climbs

We went for a walk the other night and I took my camera along in hopes of capturing some good photos.....glad I had it with me because it was an eventful walk and I think I managed to snag a few good shots! :)

Sunsets & Sailboats....

These two, go hand-in-hand at our marina where we have lovely sunsets such as this one, most every evening! 

Tan lines....

Joe has acquired some serious tan lines on his feet.....gotta love the flip-flop life!!

I, on the other hand, have always been happy to be barefoot, so my tan lines don't show, quite like his do. :) ....what does show up, is the fact that I am in major need of a pedicure! :/  {don't look too closely}

 

& Mast Climbs....

At the end of our walk we ran into our new friends on s/v imagine. When asked if either of us were willing to go up the mast to retrieve their GoPro, fearless Joe was more than willing to be hoisted up.....the near 60' mast. I was glad he volunteered so quickly so I could {nervously} sit by on the dock and  capture this moment. 

.....going up,

 .....and up,
 
 .....still going,

 .....& all the way to the top of the mast!!

All in all, I'd say that was a pretty & productive walk!!!