Behind-The-Scenes of Living on a 34-Foot Sailboat : Megan Waldrep

The Day We Finally Took Off

Chris and I untied the dock lines in Bellingham, Washington around 6 a.m. on August 15th, 2017. Finally, at sea in our 34-foot sailboat.

Our plan was to leave one year before but…

Due to the intense fall weather of the Pacific Northwest that year, boat projects we had yet to complete, and the fact Chris and I were nowhere near ready (mentally, physically, and emotionally), we shelved the trip.

Chris and I NOT ready to cruise in September 2016. That’s our boat, Astrologer and our dinghy, Pisces hiding under all that fabric.

Read what really happened the day we delayed our trip here

So, we lived on our Cal 34 sailboat in Bellingham through the worst winter they’ve had in ten years.

It was an adventure, to say the least.

Yep. That happened. We had heaters on the boat so it was nice and cozy inside. The snow was a welcomed change from the rain!

Though Bellingham is a cool town with lots of artists, beautiful hiking trails, and an impressive live music scene thanks to the draw of Western Washington University, the cold/soggy/gray weather was a tough adjustment.

Mentally, physically, and emotionally.

For me, anyway. Chris loved it.

But I survived, existential crisis and all, and have since grown a little fondness for that part of the world. (Psst! Fairies and gnomes live there.)

It also turned out to be a great test of our relationship:

If Chris and I could live together on a boat and still like each other, cruising to Mexico would not result in a man or woman overboard situation.

Here are photos to set the scene for the I Heart column, At Sea.