Often, the hardest thing to do is to untie the lines and go. There are thousands of moving pieces, logistics, boat projects, items on the checklist, not to mention full-time jobs, that can cloud the mind and make it easy to say, “Let’s stay one more week until [X] is done.” We were antsy to not get stuck at the docks, so on Saturday, July 20th, the day after I (Stephanie) gave notice at work, we took the first big step and cast off from the docks of Encinal Yacht Club, our comfortable home club (pool and friends included).
The inner and outer work to get to this point of casting off is not insignificant. All of the puzzle pieces that had to be put in their place for the moment of leaving are endless and too uninteresting to describe one by one. Often it felt like it might not ever actually happen — and yet we did it, even if it meant sailing 40 miles south. Turning left down the California coast towards Mexico even just a smidgen is more than staying at the docks.
We have spent two weeks anchored in Pillar Point harbor in Half Moon Bay while I finish up work, getting used to taking our dinghy ashore to get to land. Conor, who already finished up work in late June, had returned to Alameda to bring our car down so we could run errands and visit friends for going away parties. And yet we sold the car yesterday to prepare for our departure. We’ve gotten a little mossy in this misty, foggy enclave and we are ready to leave all this liquid sunshine behind.
And now today is my last day at my job, the last piece of our soon-to-be-former lives tying us to land. We seek this weekend to head to the slightly warmer waters of SoCal and very warmer sunshine not in liquid form. What will it feel like to continue to untether? The people and places and community that have nourished us and supported us to get here are many; Conor and I are grateful beyond words to be living this dream come true with so much love surrounding us. As a dear friend wrote to me — although it may seem that this is the end of something, it is only the beginning.
To new beginnings and new horizons — na dzrovie! (Polish for cheers)
I am so happy for you both and to be able to follow you into the next chapter of your lives. Looking forward to hearing about all your adventures. Love you so much 🥰
C and I are so hoping we’ll see you both in Mexico — I’d even pick up a golf club if it meant you’d come! 🙂 (no TopGolf in MX I don’t think lol)
We were just looking at a picture of 2yo Chase and his friend Zeppelin at your Pinebrook condo. We were wondering how this project was going. Congrats on casting off!
Ahhh we miss you! If that’s the photo where both of them are looking over the couch – that one is priceless.
That’s the one! We are happy beyond words to see you set sail after everything you have been to up to this point! Amazing. We can’t wait to see where your adventures will take you. Love and cheers to you both!
So happy to know your dream is coming true! We have watched you both as you worked (sometimes through very difficult times) to get to this point, your new reality, and our hearts overflow now with our happiness for you!
May the sun be always on your face, a good breeze on your back, and smooth sailing always!!
Cheers to warm waters ahead!