BLOGGER BEEBEE IS MOVING

Hey All.....or just my mom and my brother...... I have moved to a new website!!! I think you will like it a lot more. Here is the link http://svlorax.wix.com/bloggerbeebee

Hope you enjoy :)

Bee-ing a Sailor

Cambio at the boat yard in Annapolis

When Spencer and I first started to sail, we were 21 and 22 years old and we had just graduated college. College is this wonderful place that makes you feel like the world is your oyster. "Take an Anthropolgy course if you have a passion for it, go for it! We'll even count it towards your degree! Drawing 101? Perfect!" They tell you prospective jobs love a well rounded student. You end up with a degree in International Studies and blissfully excited about joining the workforce. But as the giant wooden doors of University life close behind you, you're quick to realize that this degree that includes a wide range of knowledge, from Anthropology to Spanish to Drawing, really doesn't guarantee you a job. In fact, while you were in school you were supposed to, simultaneously, be getting job experience in the field you would now like to work in and you were supposed to be taking classes that directly relate to the career you had expected to jump right into. It's a harsh reality and even worse is the realization that despite the four years you had to think about it, you still don't know what you want to be when you grow up!!

Young Breena and Spencer on their first sailing trip with SV/Lorax (Oh the things I would love to tell them!)

Our answer to this early-life-crisis was to travel. We bought Lorax and sailed for two years. Then, still not knowing what we wanted to do, we rebuilt a '76 Toyota Land Cruiser and attempted to drive it to South America. All the while working seasonally in Alaska. Throughout all of this travel we were anticipating that careers and our life's path would unfold and reveal itself to us. We thought we would just happen upon a job that we loved, in a city we adored. That was truly and honestly our expectation.

Then we sailed Cambio. We put over 2,500 miles under her keel, I conquered my fear of multiple day crossings and we discovered one very big thing about our life. We discovered that these trips that were supposed to be a fun way to escape adulthood and buy time before we needed
to get jobs and buy a house, have turned into the life path we were searching for. It was an "Ah ha" moment for us when we realized; we are sailors and we love to be on sailboats. Sounds like an adolescent comment, but it was a life changing moment for us when we decided to stop planning for this imaginary life which included careers and a house, a prospect neither of us were incredibly keen on,  and start planning how to get this venture we love to be our life forever. 

Cambio being hauled out in Annapolis

I'm not saying that we are becoming sailors full time, or even that that is possible, because it isn't. We have to work and make money to live, but our perspective has been adjusted dramatically from focusing on finding our perfect careers, to focusing on sailing and how we can keep it at the forefront of our life. We've figured out that our life is not complete without sailing. So in a move that seems contradictory to everything I have just said, we are selling Cambio! But in doing so, we can put into motion a plan that allows us to keep cruising for a long time to come. So here goes the next phase of our life!!

The home we had for the past 2 years

Bee-ing Indecisive

I have not blogged in a long time....OK a really long time, and it isn't because I haven't thought of it, or I haven't had time, or even that I don't really care. It's for reasons that I have been mulling over since our last trip, the overlanding trip when we drove our FJ40 Land Cruiser down to Guatemala.

On this trip we met a lot of fellow travelers and so many of those travelers had blogs, and we kept one too. If you read my blog during that time in our life, you know that I was not a fan of overlanding. In fact, I hated it.

One of the big reasons I hated it so much was the fact that everyone kept a blog. I know that sounds ridiculous, but let me explain a little further. To me, people blogged about the trips they imagined people wanted to read about, not the trip they were on. Pictures and blog posts were incredibly misleading and never showed the sucky parts of traveling. People would say, "where the road ends, the adventure begins. " What they wouldn't say was, "When the road ended, we got in a huge fight and I cried until we just pulled over and I had a horrible nights sleep, because I was terrified." Upon meeting these people and probing a little, they would of course divulge that everyday hasn't been a Pinterest board of travel shots and they would be honest that sometimes it sucks, but it took so much work to get to that honesty. It became clear to me that most of the people out there were out there so that others would know they were. They lived for Facebook comments, for Blog views and to tell others how they traveled. It should be said that not everyone who overlands is like this and certainly not everyone who blogs is like this. Some of the most honest and humble people that are apart of our life now, are people we met overlanding.

I since deleted our overlanding blog and started BloggerBeeBee, but I have been holding back. To me blogs signify a massive ego. By starting it I felt like I was saying, "Hey, my life is worth reading about, I am more special than you, so look at what I do!" I was torn, because I myself love blogs such as Lahowinds, SouthtoNowhere, and Skylines. I love that subscription notification in my inbox and I never thought they were doing it for the attention. I knew they were doing it to share their experiences and to encourage other people to be honest to who they are and love the little quirks that make everyone different.

So with that long explanation being said, I have decided to take on the blogging world once again, and, I do so, promising to be honest and sincere in everything I write. My life is not more interesting or special than anyone else's, and there really isn't a reason you should read my blog over someone else's, unless of course you just want to. I read blogs because I like them. Skylines is about a single dad that has a job as an 8th grade teacher at an alternative school; funny as hell and he happens to be my lil' brother. HeyPorkChop is fun because I love to craft and knit! Blogs are supposed to be fun, engaging and sometimes strike a cord with its reader. I hope that every time you get a ping in your inbox from BloggerBeeBee you're excited, because I'm back at it and I'm excited for what's in store!

P.S. To those bloggers trying to decide whether or not to be offended by what I have written; If you have a blog and you write and share for the right reasons and you share from the heart, no need to be offended! You are amazing and I guarantee I would love your blog, if I don't already. :)

Bee-ing a Part of the Waltenberger Partnership

           

We're Engaged!!

The Waltenberger Partnership, what to say? What to say? Well, I suppose, that since it is a partnership I should bring my co-captain in on this post. So for you guys to get a better idea of what we are all about and why Spencer decided to make the Waltenberger Partnership a legal entity by popping the question, I decided to do a little couples interview. So sit back, relax and get to know us!

When did you first meet and was it love at first sight?

S: "When did we first meet?" (He's really asking me, I'm the records keeper in the relationship, so he really is unsure of this, after enlightening him, his response was as follows) I saw you while picking up a camcorder in the honors department, and I said to myself I want to know that spunky little red head and I want her to tell me where and how to drive a car, boat, four wheeler, etc. I don't really believe in love at first sight, but I'll give you a like at first sight."

B: "We met in college at a party at the house Spencer was living at, a friend introduced us and I thought he was VERY attractive when I first saw him."

What makes your relationship special?

S: "An ability to rely on each other. We have uniquely different strengths and weaknesses."

B: "I think we are best friends first and above all else we just really enjoy being together. Living within a 30 foot space together and sometimes being confined to that space is like locking yourself and your partner in a bathroom with a couple sandwiches and still liking them after 3 days of being in there."

How are you able to live on a 33 foot boat together?

S: "Passiveness"

B: " Ummmm, we talk a LOT! I think that helps.

What was the toughest time in your relationship?

S: "My relationship is sunshine and angel farts, what are you talking about? Really I'm a private person and I don't really want to answer these questions anymore." 

B: "When you were working in Soldotna and I was living in Anchorage, I used to get so upset because you weren't missing me enough." (Laughs a kind of scary laugh)

What is Breena's most annoying trait and what would Breena say is yours? Vice a versa for Spencer

S: "These are terrible questions! I don't want to play this game. You're a little bossy, BeeBee. He's too darn handsome....no really theres a couple, biting my nails, stealing your pillow, not stressing when it seems like the world is ending. I would like it noted that the world has not ended yet."

B: "Touching me with his feet, even though he knows I don't like it! And my most annoying trait I would say is, telling him how to drive, I do that a lot. Although I do try not to....I just can't help myself!"

What is Brena's best trait and what would Bee say is yours? Vice a versa for Spencer

S: "Best trait as a team member is her ability to handle peopler cooly and calmly. Handling everything else cooly and calmly."

B: "Spencer's best trait is his level headedness. Is that a word? You keep your cool in all situations. I think you think my best trait is my people skills or handling stressful human interactions."

If Bee/ Spencer had $20 right now, what would they buy?

S: "Wool"

B: "I think he would shop on craigslist for a boat part that was $15, use it a week and then sell it in a different town for $100. So the real question is what would Spencer buy with $100, and that would be a really nice Gin."

What does Bee/Spence do that makes you laugh?

S: Her impressions of men in black, I want to say your cooking (makes face like, op, you can't get mad! It's your interview)

B: "His laugh really makes me laugh. He will tell a joke that no one really gets or thinks is funny and he'll just crack himself up. That really makes me laugh when he does that!"

If left to die on a deserted island what is the first thing Bee/ Spencer would do?

S: "Find shade"

B: "Start a 'Deserted Island Craigslist' so that when I arrive he can make me walk 20 miles around the island to get a random boat part he found a 'good deal on'."

What is your favorite activity to do together?

S: "Sailing"

B: "Talk"

When Breena/ Spencer says _______ I know we have a real issue?

S: "I don't know, you ramp up from 0 to 10 a lot"

B: "Usually he doesn't say anything, so really it is when he is quiet that I know we are in trouble."

What is your favorite place to be together?

S: "Bahamas?" (not sure why he answered in question form)

B: "Bahamas!"

What are 2 perks from being in a relationship with Bee/ Spencer?

S:

1. I don't have to remember any passwords

2.  I'm always allowed to dream big

B:

1. I can have grandiose plans or ideas that he always makes happen

2. I get to eat really well! Oh, and I don't have to do any work with the head.

What are two disadvantages?

S:

1. We can't go out in the sun

2. We can't go out in the cold

B:

1. He walks away from any awkward situation, leaving me alone to handle it, and then to find him after.

2. I have to hike

What were you thinking in the time between asking "Will you marry me?" and her answer?

"I don't think I was thinking anything, you're getting kinda sappy with this thing, BeeBee"

What do you hope the next year will be like for you two?

S: "Hopefully the same as last year, sailing and free livin'!!"

B: "Just as exciting as the last 6 years"

What would Bee's/ Spencer's perfect vacation sound like?

S: "A pool"

B: "Unlimited food and drink budget in Seattle, and if he were told he could shop anywhere in that state for a craigslist deal while on vacation"

What is your favorite game to play together?

S: "Catan"

B:"Speed"

Cheers! Thanks for getting to know us a little more.

Bee-ing the Self Appointed Risk Tolerance Appraiser

When we were cruising on Lorax, our first 30 foot fiberglass sailboat, our biggest accomplishment was crossing the gulf stream to the Bahamas. We waited for a month in Ft. Lauderdale before finding an adequate weather window to make the 60 mile crossing. One night we attempted a crossing but turned back because the seas where too large and we scarred the shit out of ourselves. 

Before the actual crossing we were preparing as if we were making a 20 day passage. We provisioned with months worth of food, had "Bahamas Bound" meetings with our buddy boats, and prepared Lorax for battle! We ended up motoring the whole thing, into wind and waves, but it was an awesome feeling as soon as our depth meter started falling and we found ourselves on the Bahamas bank. 

This time, in Cambio, our departure was much different. We listened to the weather that morning, baked a frozen pizza, skyped with my brother and my niece, and finally we turned to each other and said, hey do you want to go now? The feeling was total relaxation. We were making a 170 mile passage and our stress level was zero! We pulled up anchor and Spencer took the helm to drive us through the intercoastal waterway (ICW). 

The Miami skyline from the ICW

For us the ICW is horrific! We both would rather be out, 50 miles from land, than driving the ICW. Why, you may ask? Well, because our engine is not a normal engine. We have a SABB engine with a variable pitch prop. So instead of having two levers, one for forward or backward and one for speed, we have one for the pitch of our prop, one to engage it, one for our speed, and a clutch. Add that fuck show to not being able to see over our top deck due to 2 dinghies and a dodger and it makes for an ordeal. The stress free morning soon became a panic induced roller coaster for me. 

Spencer usually doesn't stress as much, as he considers us the biggest steel wrecking ball in the ICW and figures people will move out of our way. I neither believe this nor put this into practice while at the helm, so he usually drives in the tight spots, whereas I become the self appointed "other boat" alarm. At regular intervals I state, "Do you see that boat" or "Are you moving for that boat." I find my services, although unappreciated, invaluable to the whole experience. I mean without this annoying little feature it would be a fun experience, and we can't have that! 

Spencer at the helm in the Miami inlet
(possibly a little annoyed at his co-captian)

So, after giving myself the stress shits and Spencer saying for the final time, "YES! I see that boat!" we were out of the Miami inlet and on course to the Bahamas! (Ahhhhh, a sigh of relief) We had gotten the green light from our weather guru Chris Parker (CP) and we were also going to be able to sail the whole thing. A rare and unexpected perk to crossing to the Bahamas. We had put up the sails, turned up the tunes and watched the sun go down when a couple of clouds rolled in. CP didn't mention anything about squalls (our mortal enemy on Cambio as they ramp the wind up to, as much as, 60 knots) but I decided to turn on NOAA on the VHF, just to double check. 

NOAA radio has employed the use of the most sinister computer automated voice on the planet!! They also have bizarre weather reports in which they will say "North wind 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 90 knots" (actual broadcast we have heard out of the Florida Everglades) so their forecasts leave a lot up for speculation and terrify me. So when I turned on the radio and heard, "squalls in the central Florida area with winds up to 60 knots and damaging lightening and hail," both our hearts sank. The voice went on to say, "All boats should seek safe harbor, if offshore, reduce windage and go down below." At that point I was pretty scared, the most wind we have experienced was 50 knots in Lorax and we ended up on the shore with a lot of other issues. Although Cambio is a much more capable boat, and we were offshore, I was not excited to experience 60 knots! We reefed the sails, took down a few things that would blow away and heaved to. We sat with the sails inflated, but not making any headway, and watched the clouds rumble, light up, and pass along our bow. We turned on the VHF after a half hour and to our frustration heard, "All emergency storm warnings have been removed." WHAT! We just sat there, freaking out, for nothing!!! 

Squall line!! AKA terror in the sky!

The rest of the trip was uneventful and fantastic! For giving us that little weather scare, it seems nature helped us out a little, and with the help of the gulfstream we sailed across the Bahamas bank in record time and made it to that crystal clear water, by day break. Hello, Beautiful!

The gorgeous BAHAMAS!!

Bee-ing Homeless

The mooring field in Marathon, Florida

Marathon, Florida is not as I remember it. We had been there before in our first boat, Lorax and we were very excited to return to the cruising mecca that is Boot Key Harbor. Last time we were there the mooring field which consists of 500+ moorings was filled with sailors headed to far off places waiting for weather windows to cross the Gulf Stream and buying their time with baseball leagues, dinners out with other cruisers and sun downers on different boats. It was a collaborative community where we made friends we still keep in touch with today. The Boot Key harbor we arrived at this time, however, painted a drastically different picture. 

We did visit our favorite bar, The Hurricane, and had some awesome nachos!

It seems that, due to the increasing cost of living in the Keys, there has been an influx in people moving onto boats and staying on a mooring ball at Boot Key. This results in sad sailboats without sails, broken engines, and derelict boats in general. Putting aside the political and economical issues at hand, this is also sad for the cruising community. There aren't any sailors! 

We also had ice for a night! Fancy cocktails, anyone?!?

When we signed into the office and got our mooring assignment there was something different about the place and I couldn't quite figure it out. Spencer, later, nailed it on the head. It was like a soup kitchen/ post apocalyptic zombie camp. The people working there look at you with kind, concerning eyes while speaking in soft tones, telling you to "please not steal the shopping carts from nearby shops, if you need a cart they can provide you with one" or "Not to sleep in your car" or "If someone is watching a show on the communal TV, please be courteous and not change the channel without asking or yell at the TV." 

We did meet a fellow young sailor, Dan on Saga Blue, and we took him
and his twin brother sailing to the reef nearby! 

Gone were the "Gulf Stream Crossing" meetings and the "Sailor Buddy Boat List," instead they were replaced by angry gossip about "Hillbilly Express" (actual boat name) stealing shit off of people's boats and selling everything at a garage sale on a neighboring island or "Double Wide" (again, actual name) getting drunk one Friday night and leaving his music blaring while other residents scream on the VHF that they are going to cut his lines. Although I have to commend these new residents for making their lives work in the Keys, because 75% of them have jobs and lead respectable lives, I am very sad for the loss of the sailing community that once thrived there. As a cruising sailor you feel like an outsider, an unwelcome guest where residents assume you think you're better than them because you own a "nice sailboat," in other words one that moves, and in all honesty, we couldn't wait to get the hell out of there. We were thrilled when a weather window opened up to cross to the Bahamas and we left Marathon in our wake.

The lighthouse at Lighthouse Reef outside Marathon, Florida.

Bee-ing Amazed

We made it to Florida! The 422 nautical mile jump to Florida from Isla Mujeres took us 5 days and four nights. The longest crossing we have ever done. We were aiming for Marathon, Florida in the keys, but the prevailing winds and the Yucatan currents had other plans for us.

The sun setting on our first night out

We left the small Mexican island with 4 other boats, but when the wind shifted and the others started to motor into the wind and waves we turned our bow North and were aiming for any US city along Florida's West coast. At one point the current was pushing us so North that we thought we'd be eating bennets on the streets of New Orleans, but luckily we made our way out of the current, a day later, and landed in Naples, Florida. Only 150 miles North of where we wanted to be. Not too bad, if I do say so myself.

Two birds decided to hitch a ride the second night. It's amazing how far from land they were!

The crossing was amazing, and in the truest sense of the word. I'm really not trying to sound like a pretentious traveler so I hope everyone takes this as it's intended which is just raw respect for the ocean. Landing in Naples, I felt like I had just completed my biggest accomplishment in life. Spencer and I navigated our boat from one country to another using the wind, waves and current. We sailed the entire thing and at one point we were 160 miles from any coast line. It was both terrifying and exhilarating. When the weather report was 25 knots of wind one night, there was no land to hide behind, we just had to reef the main and handle it. 

I brought in a Mahi Mahi on the 3rd day! So delicious!

The other boats and ourselves set up a time and hailing channel on the SSB to keep track of everyone, but unfortunately when everyone landed in the Keys they seemed to forget about little ole' Cambio out there. So we were on our own, which turned out to be a good thing, despite my initial cursing and bad mouthing of "the floatilla." It gave me a whole new sense of self reliance and reliance on my partner-in-crime, Spencer, because really there isn't much they could have done anyway. It was more a false sense of security. When that safety blanket was gone it forced us to take it all in and really grasp the immensity of our little floating home on the big blue ocean. It was just us and the sea and we can't wait to return to her! 

Seeing land after 5 days at sea!

Safely at anchor, after the long crossing, in Naples, Florida.