Boat Life

Boat life, from the brief experiences I've had with it in the South Pacific, on Lake Union, and now here in the Caribbean, suits me. And it seems the more I learn, the more I like it. My accomodations here in Grenada are aboard SV Starshine, a 37-foot cutter anchored in Prickley Bay. Notice I said anchored, not docked. That means: a) No shore power. All power aboard is from the solar panels, wind generator, or, when the need arises, a small generator*. b) No shore water. Water comes from rain water catchment, or a water maker when needed*. A daily swim off the bow does away with the need for showers, at least for me. c) Dingy in dingy out. No popping down to the corner store for an after dinner ice cream. Aside from the ins and outs of being anchored, other new boat stuff presents itself everyday. From the morning dispatch via VHF radio ("the Net") to the close knit community among the cruisers, I dig it all. (The warm weather and wonderful company doesn't hurt either.)

Thursday December 18 2008

File under: travel, Grenada

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on Thu 18th Dec, 2008 10:52 am PST amanda said: Sigh. I just can't imagine it. Not with the snow falling rapidly outside. Are we on the same planet? ************************ on Thu 18th Dec, 2008 11:19 am PST per said: so nice! I'd trade these land locked sticks for a pair of rubbery tide-going sea legs in a heart beat. Will there be any cruising to compliment the anchored community life? ************************ on Fri 19th Dec, 2008 02:54 am PST Wren said: The plan was to cruise up to Carriacou, 25 or so miles north, but the swells and wind would make it a pretty gnarly trip, so at least for the time being, I think we are staying put. My hope is that maybe in the next couple weeks, a little out of harbor sailing will be experienced. ************************ on Fri 19th Dec, 2008 04:16 am PST Dave said: Wren, who are you staying with (i.e. who owns that boat)? While we have similar weather, your living on a boat right now (and not working) easily trumps me. I hope you're having a great time. ************************ on Sat 20th Dec, 2008 11:29 pm PST Mom said: You'd better not come home yet, there's no path shoveled to the Outback (or through it for that matter). We have snow drifts in the yard and driveway! Real drifts! Oh, the slings and arrows of your outrageous fortune of being In the Carribbean now! ************************ on Mon 22nd Dec, 2008 01:22 pm PST Jen Kay said: That sounds awesome! Of course you would be off somewhere great right now. I would love to be anchored out on a sail boat...hope you're lovin it! Merry Christmas ************************ on Wed 31st Dec, 2008 06:33 pm PST Amiel Martin said: hey wren, if you like sailboats so much, you should come sailing with Hallie and I: http://www.twitpic.com/u0vh ************************

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Carribbean Todo Checklist

First 24 Hours of a Caribbean Vacataion Checklist: 1. Swim in warm warm water. 2. Take a bunch of pictures. 3. Get a little sunburned. 4. Buy tacky touristy crap. 5. Complain about the heat. 6. Realize that you don't have any right to complain about anything really, because you are in the freaking Carribean for gosh sakes. 7. Drink parisol-ed drink. 8. Make blog post about first 24 hours in Caribbean in an attempt to make friends at home jealous. Six out of eight, not too shabby.

Monday December 15 2008

File under: travel, Grenada

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on Mon 15th Dec, 2008 05:56 am PST Luke said: I'm just jealous of how cute you look in that hat! ************************ on Mon 15th Dec, 2008 06:27 am PST Kat said: Officially jealous. ************************ on Mon 15th Dec, 2008 07:09 am PST Sara said: The wind chill is -16 here. Yep, I'm jealous too. ************************ on Mon 15th Dec, 2008 07:10 am PST Hope said: a bus driver asked him if he was Jewish ************************ on Mon 15th Dec, 2008 04:37 pm PST Joe said: ya know what the weather is like back home? you're a jerk for posting this blog and these pix. ************************ on Mon 15th Dec, 2008 05:52 pm PST Jule said: don't forget to eat some overly spicy Caribbean food and then have to sit out a day of your vacation because of stomach cramps. In case you didn't know, it is cold here. read previous comments for further details. ************************ on Mon 15th Dec, 2008 06:17 pm PST dave said: you spelled Caribbean three different ways in the first three listings of the word. ************************ on Mon 15th Dec, 2008 08:51 pm PST Sarah F said: man! you lead the good life, wren. we're wearing our puffy wisconsin coats here and watching all the kids staying home from school sled on ice in the street. ************************

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D.C. Jump

[on a brief layover in DC, I stopped in to check out the new Capitol Visitor Center]

Friday December 12 2008

File under: travel, misc

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on Fri 12th Dec, 2008 09:06 pm PST Nesbitt said: I can't believe you didn't call! You are in DC like all the time! ************************ on Fri 12th Dec, 2008 10:40 pm PST Mom said: So is the joint getting all spruced up for the incoming administration? ************************ on Fri 12th Dec, 2008 10:54 pm PST per said: ya know, that dome is made proportionally to accept that pose perfectly within the circular vault of its heavens. who's that standing on top? anybody... ************************ on Sat 13th Dec, 2008 02:42 pm PST Joe said: per, to answer your question, i believe its your mother ;-) ************************ on Sat 13th Dec, 2008 11:49 pm PST Dave said: The Statue of Freedom, of course. And there is a law that no private building in DC is allowed to be built taller than that statue. ************************

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My New Favorite Memorial

My main activity while traveling, at least when I'm traveling alone, is walking, in most cases with no particular destination in mind. This was the case the other day when I had some time to kill in New York City. The weather was blustery but I wasn't to be deterred. I took the subway into Manhattan and headed south. (I've pretty much explored midtown and the Central Park area in previous visits.) I walked and walked, seeing things that I had heard so much about: NYU, "SoHo", "Artists' Lofts", etc. I was shooting* to get to the shore of the island to see what I could see. My feet took me to Hudson River Park(?) where I got a view of the Statue of Liberty* and New Jersey*. When it was time to start heading back, I stumbled upon what is now my favorite memorial ever: the Irish Hunger Memorial. It is like a little bit of the country right in downtown New York, with some of the greatest stone walls ever. The serendipitous find reaffirmed in my believe in semi-unguided travel.

Saturday November 1 2008

File under: travel

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on Sat 01st Nov, 2008 09:12 pm PDT Deneva said: Oh Wren... I agree! It is beautiful!!! ************************ on Sun 02nd Nov, 2008 10:19 pm PST Joe said: yea that's cool. Flip would appreciate that wouldn't he. ************************ on Mon 03rd Nov, 2008 04:03 pm PST dave said: they could probably sell the ground that memorial is on and feed the african continent for ten years. ************************

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Broadway Baby Broadway

Last time I was through NYC, everything fell into place–weather, meeting with friends (, meeting with strangers), etc.–everything that is except one thing: seeing a Broadway show. This time, while the weather has been against me and tracking people down for getting together has panned out less smoothly* (not to mention no fun strangers -> friends), I did make it to a Broadway show. Avenue Q is hilarious romp, once described as Sesame Street meets South Park. A combination human/puppet cast lends the musical a playful feel. And although the set, costumes, production wasn't as spectacular as I had imagined*, the experience was extremely fun. While I wouldn't consider myself a great fan of musicals, the songs in this one were funny enough, tongue-in-cheek enough to make it really fun. (In fact, do yourself a favor: go search google for "Avenue Q The Internet is Really Really Great" and watch a video that ensues.) Yep, a Broadway show: another thing checked off my life list.

Wednesday October 29 2008

File under: travel, misc

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on Wed 29th Oct, 2008 10:09 am PDT Saxtor said: Damn, I wanted to see that when it was in Seattle. ************************ on Wed 29th Oct, 2008 03:58 pm PDT Joe said: cool. i've only seen a handful of Cirque du Soleil shows myself. oh and i've never been to NY so I guess that might explain not ever seein a true Broadway show. ************************ on Thu 30th Oct, 2008 08:06 pm PDT Sarah said: I love Avenue Q! Saw it with my mom and sister in Baltimore last year and make Dave sit through the soundtrack every once in a while. Glad you enjoyed it! ************************

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Boardwalking

Boardwalks are awesome. This is my conclusion after visiting two of them this weekend. The first was in Ocean City, MD which was all but deserted when we tromped its 1.7 miles past block after block of shuttered up t-shirt shops and ice cream parlors*. We had to use our imaginations to picture it in all its glory filled to the brim with sun-burnt tourists, but I could imagine it is quite a scene during the summer. The second boardwalk is possibly the most famous boardwalk of all times: Atlantic City (as seen in the pictures*.) Similar to Ocean City in it being a pedestrian only thoroughfare with the beach on one side and shops, etc. on the other, but different. People were everywhere on this boardwalk, even so late in the season. Lots of old folks out walking and sitting on the benches. Casino architecture to entertain the eye. Beautiful dunes between the walk and the beach. Both are great places to people watch, walk off an ice cream or two, and be part of the goings-on of a town. The concept of designating a place for people to walk around semi-aimlessly, interact, shop, eat, and pass time is the reason I am so enthralled with boardwalks. The pedestrian advocate in me (both as a means of exercise and of transportation) loves to see people out walking. The lazy bum in me loves to see benches for just lazing about in the sun and watching the world pass by. If it weren't for all the shops selling totally useless crap*, I would be *all* about boardwalks. As it is, I still think they are neat.

Tuesday October 28 2008

File under: travel

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on Tue 28th Oct, 2008 10:25 am PDT Saxtor said: You have been far nicer to Atlantic City than is deserved. AC would like to thank your for your kind post by knocking you over the head and taking your wallet, then kicking you as she walks away. ************************ on Wed 29th Oct, 2008 04:04 pm PDT Joe said: lol....well, I'm only a few miles from the boardwalk in Santa Monica. I hear there's a new giant ferris wheel that I need to go check out soon. I've been on the old school all wooden roller coaster they have there, where they literally hand you a hammer and some nails and say "do what ya can" as the cart lurches forward to a loud creaking sound. ************************ on Thu 30th Oct, 2008 10:08 pm PDT dAve said: i hope you celebrated 'senior everyday' in AC. last year i promptly won $80 on my first 8 hands of $10 blackjack. then the next morning just as promptly gave it all back. ************************

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Embassy Row

If you ever have some time to kill in D.C. after having done all the much touted stuff* (or even before that), I would highly recommend looking into taking a nice walk [up/down] Embassy Row, essentially Massachusetts Avenue between Dupont Circle and Sheriden Circle. In the few days that I've been in D.C., I've gone out of my way multiple times to pass that way and am so glad that I've done so each time. Seeing the beautiful buildings and their accompanying plaques announcing which country's embassy it is sets my mind going. I find it so interesting to compare the personality of the place (size, ornamentation, security, vehicles*, etc.) with what I know about the country. I wonder about what kind of business goes on in the building*. I wonder about the finances. Those buildings can't be cheap and a lot of those countries aren't known for their overflowing national coffers. I wonder if the people insider are from that country and what they think of the US. I wonder what would happen if I went trick-or-treating there on Halloween. I wonder if I will ever visit the particular country represented by this embassy. I wonder about all the unoccupied (sometimes obviously recently or hastily) buildings and what the story behind that is. I wonder a lot. Even if you don't wonder or care about any of these things, it is still worth the walk. The rich architecture combined with the international flair is something that is miles away from most people's everyday experience. And that's what travel is all about, right?

Saturday October 25 2008

File under: travel

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on Sat 25th Oct, 2008 12:33 pm PDT Mom said: Nice touch on the car photo, catching the photographer in the act. That is a really wax 'n buff job. Warning: Do not linger or take photos in front of the Russian Embassy. They are way touchy about it. I speak from experience on this one. ************************ on Sun 26th Oct, 2008 01:17 am PDT Saxtor said: Is that the Turkish Embassy, or a Turkish prison? ************************

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One Long Escalator

Generally, I'm not a fan of escalators. IMO, most times, they are merely an excuse for lazy people not to have to walk stairs. (The exceptions, of course, are accessibility, carrying stuff, incredible traffic volume, extreme distances, etc.) While seeing people indulge their laziness doesn't usually upset me*, seeing them do so at the expense of the environment does. (For a semi-rant, semi-informational article on the topic of energy consumption of escalators, click here). But that's not what this post is about. It is about the freaking huge long escalators they have here in D.C. to get down into the metro and how awesome they are. When I visited D.C. in 8th grade, that is one of the few things that stuck with me: how long the escalators were. 15 years hasn't done anything to diminish the impressiveness. (As a side note, it is kind of fun to make the comparison between my impressions of this place then and now: the monuments, the museums, etc. I can for sure tell you that I feel like I am in a much better place to appreciate it all now*. The comparison continues tonite with a night tour of the monuments!) Anyhoo, I took this shot coming out of the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Metro station coming back from having dinner out in Bethesda. It may not be the longest ever, but it sure seemed like it. (Wikipedia's Escalator Superlatives is kind of a fun read.)

Wednesday October 22 2008

File under: travel

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on Wed 22nd Oct, 2008 11:34 am PDT Kat said: http://www.bikethesites.com/ I highly recommend this place. If you don't want to go on another tour they have reasonable bike rental prices. ************************ on Thu 23rd Oct, 2008 07:09 am PDT Horge said: I had a similar experience in Moscow with their metro. Except, you come up a long escalator from an outdated metro, and when you're coming up, the whole time you can see Lenin's profile set in a mural on the ceiling. Yay, Big Brother! ************************ on Thu 23rd Oct, 2008 10:42 am PDT blank said: that kid is back in the escalator! ************************ on Sat 25th Oct, 2008 02:34 am PDT Joe said: haha I was thinkin of "Mallrats" too. ************************ on Sun 09th Nov, 2008 09:19 pm PST whuppinstick said: most of the monorail escalators in Okinawa are the start-stop kind, which is pretty cool. there are times when they are nearly always running (rush hour) and times when you're really thankful they aren't (sunday mornings). it's gotta be a step in the right direction... ************************

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Leaf Peeping in Shenandoah National Park

I got the chance to escape the city for the weekend for a visit to Shenandoah National Park, just hours outside of D.C. The park was packed with fellow leaf peepers*. We camped, roasted hot dogs, corn, and sneakers over an open fire, hiked, peeped, and just enjoyed the beauty of the famous Shenandoah National Park. They don't make autumn scenes like this back in the Pacific Northwest.

Monday October 20 2008

File under: travel, pics

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on Mon 20th Oct, 2008 12:35 pm PDT Amanda said: Wow. That looks incredible. I'm jealous. ************************ on Mon 20th Oct, 2008 03:05 pm PDT Saxtor said: Needs more conifers... ************************ on Mon 20th Oct, 2008 04:38 pm PDT uncle steve said: Hey,who is the fab lady?! ************************ on Mon 20th Oct, 2008 05:47 pm PDT Nesbitt said: Go East Coast! Did you partake of the Skyline Drive? ************************ on Mon 20th Oct, 2008 05:49 pm PDT Ryan Walters said: Whoah, what's with that little cabin built into the hillside? Very Blair Witch. ************************ on Mon 20th Oct, 2008 08:48 pm PDT Jule said: That is gorgeous. They should make that a National Park! ************************

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Working Vacation

I'm currently camped out in the back of a FedEx/Kinko's in Washington, D.C. for the second morning in a row, using their [reasonable priced, but not free] internet. I don't suppose that I can rightly say that I am on vacation when I've been checking in with work and logging in to fix bugs every day since I've left, but that's okay. In fact, while there is definitely a downside to it, being the optimistic guy that I am, I see a side to the working vacation that I kind of like. Let me highlight a few. 1. When I am able to work from the road, I don't need to let what's going on with work affect my travel schedule. As long as wherever I am going has an internet connection, I can always carve out a couple of hours from sightseeing or napping to do a little work. 2. It lends some structure to my day, which I generally am in need of. If I didn't have to at least check in with work, I might lounge in bed until 11:00 or keep coming up with excuses on why not to change out of my jammies and leave the house. 3. Doing even just a little bit of work in a day lets me feel like I've accomplished something and that I've earned the 2 ice cream cones that I'm bound to eat in my daily roamings. 4. Being a contractor, logging a couple of hours also means that I've earned enough money to pay for those 2 ice cream cones, so I don't need to carve away at my savings too much while traveling. 5. Daily (or almost daily) exposure to work reminds me why vacation is so important, so when I logoff, I can more fully appreciate where I am and what I am choosing to do. 6. When my co-workers/bosses/project managers know that I am taking time out of my vacation to get done what needs to get done, they really appreciate it, and feeling appreciated is a good feeling. I imagine the novelty will wear off soon and I will start griping about having to check in with work. But luckily, the busy time at work will also start to taper off, so it'll all balance out. Then I will have to come up with another excuse to get my daily computer fix. *cough*nerd*cough*

Friday October 17 2008

File under: work, travel

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