Back home

Our departure from Eagle Harbor was great, with down-wind sailing that had us going 8 knots at times. However today we saw it all! Steady 15, calm at 5, steady 25 with gusts of 30, sun, rain...Frank got lots of practice in varying conditions and quite a workout! We're expecting gale force winds at the pier over the next few days...should be exciting!

Last weekend in March

We got underway just before 9 this morning and headed out for a mixed day of sailing and motoring--very relaxing. We were shooting for Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island and made it around 4. At first there wasn't any room at the city pier so we hitched up to a linear moorage. We were hoping that a small sailboat that was at the pier wouldn't stay all night and we could get in. Just as we got settled on the linear moorage, the small boat left so we fired up the engine and snagged the spot!

Our patience resulted in a nice spot at the end of the pier. We headed into town to play at a park and walk around. Ended up doing pizza for dinner and got ice cream as a special treat.

Being on the pier has been nice for the access to town, but I think we prefer anchoring. It's just a little weird having all sorts of people walking the full length of your boat while you're hanging out, washing the kids, etc. We have more shades drawn right now than I think we've ever had! Still, a very nice night!

Travel, and not the kind I like

Well, I'm on my way back from San Diego after a week of training in preps for deployment. Honestly it wasn't bad training but logistics were a nightmare (sharing cars, staying 45 min from the training site, NALO flights...) and some of the days were crazy long. So we flew through some stuff early in the week and showed up this morning for one brief. That left me with something like 7 hours to sit and do NOTHING before my flight. So frustrating...if I'm going to be away from my family I want it to be for a good reason! Erg...

While the long days didn't allow me to see my in-laws in the area, I was able to have some good meals with my coworkers and get to know them better. That's important when you're about to spend 9 months together.

With any luck I'll be kissing my munchkins as they sleep within the hour...

Short weekend

GeoTagged, [N47.98509, E122.34679]

Since our plans for an overnighter were crushed by my job's social and travel requirements, we're out for a little day sail. While the winds were light and variable this morning, we've had 8-10 kts this afternoon. The real treat has been grey whales! Nice day for gawking and hanging out with the kiddos.

Going mobile!

Tonight I'm trying out mobile blogging...seems easy enough! I might have to go for the "full" version of this app so I can do photos, too!

The sadness starts

I ended up sobbing like a baby last night.  Yep, it's true.  I'm ok now, but last night the realization that I'm about 3 months away from being away from my family for 8 months, coupled with my weekend with them being reduced to 1 single day, got the best of me.  Their little faces change so much when I'm gone for even just a week--I can't imagine how drastically different they'll look when I get back after 8 months.  Frank, as always, has assured me that I'll get through it and that they will too, but somehow I don't have much faith in myself!  Between now and then I'm hardly here, too, and I just feel like I'm going to slowly slip away from them.  I hate it.  I want it to be over.

Heading to Maryland???

I've been in touch with my detailer this week since it's just over a year before I'm done at COMCARSTRKGRU NINE.  Seems early to most, but in my community if you're not all over this a year ahead, then you're behind.  We ended up looking at 3 possible jobs--one in San Diego and the other two in the DC metro area.  We'd been hoping to head to the east coast to be near family (and the boat life is more our speed there!), so I focused there.  After considering commutes, jobs, and the prospect of having people again, I asked to have an XO job at the Naval Ice Center in Suitland, Maryland.  Next step?  Wait to hear if I'll get it! 

A few chores...

Today was a BEAUTIFUL day!  However, since Katreina has a friend's birthday party tonight and her own tomorrow, we're not underway.  We did go on a nice long paddle in the kayaks this morning though and spent the early afternoon doing some chores.  Mine?  Cleaning the year's growth off the dinghy!

Our big girl is 4!

The title says it all...Happy Birthday, munchkin!  We had a mini-celebration tonight since her party is Sunday.  She chose to go out to eat at the "cheese quesadilla place" which is also known as El Paraiso.  They surprised her there with a birthday song!  Back home she got lots of clothes and gear for baby Sophia, an outfit, a loud music player, and a new game for her Leapster.  Good times!