Boatless in Seattle

Big Sky Country

For the second time in fifty years, we spent a summer in Seattle without a boat of our own, as a result of leaving Schatzi in Mexico for the summer. Oh, yes, Roger had his Mini 12, and we caught rides on friend’s boats and we even took out a J-22 at the Club—but it really isn’t the same. There truly is something special about having your own boat near you and at the ready to go when you want. Rest assured, being Boatless in Seattle was a tragic mistake which we won’t repeat again soon.

However, we took up some of the slack by using our travel trailer for a couple trips: three weeks out to Michigan and back to see Lynne’s brother, and two weeks to make our return trip to Mexico. Along the way much of the scenery was

Carol, Jack and Charlie

magnificent, especially the Rockies and the US and Canadian Prairies. However, these trips were particularly rich in visiting with relatives and friends along the way. In Michigan, we stayed with Lynne’s brother, Jack, Carol and Charlie and later overnighted with Anne and Bob Esdale, our Maid of Honor some 49 years ago, at their home in Lansing. From there it was on up to the Upper Peninsula, where Roger reconnected with his childhood friend Lucy, who was his best friend from ages zero to six, but whom he hasn’t met in 65 years. Yes, Lucy was very surprised! From there we journeyed to Creston BC to stay with Conny Lang, our boating friend from the Caribbean and to Winthrop where we hooked up with John and Sam Owen, neighbors when we lived in Everett.

Chuck and Alice Wyman

After a few months in Seattle, it was time to head south to rejoin Schatzi at San Carlos on the Sea of Cortes. Along that path we stayed with Roger’s brother, Neil and Marianne in Alameda; sailing friends Joyce, Mark and Mary in the Bay Area; and a week with son Andy, Lorraine and Clark in Oxnard. In Scottsdale we had a lovely evening with more sailing friends Larry and Carol Hills and Denis and Pam Thomas But one of the most poignant contacts was visiting with Roger’s parents’ life time best friends, Chuck and Alice Wyman near Temecula, who are celebrating their 75^th anniversary this year. Yes—you read that right—Chuck (97) and Alice (95) tied the knot 75 years ago, a milestone that less than .01% of married couples can claim. Oh, and by the way the way they are doing great—good health, still driving, still living independently, and

Clark and Roger on 8' Mischief

still adoring each other!

As we did this RV traveling, it caused me to reflect on the similarities and differences between RV’s and boats. Both are magic carpets to see other parts of this great world we inhabit. Interior construction, electrical systems, and galleys are similar. One potty dumps down, the other pumps up. Socially, the two communities have much in common, with clubs and rallies, with RV campgrounds and marinas, with boondocking and anchoring. But there are differences. There is no RV equivalent to sailing—it is much more comparable to power boating. I find it intriguing that generally boats get named, but RV’s do

On the Road in Joshua Tree NP

not. But perhaps most of all we have been boating for sixty years, but only RV’ing for three—and our passion is still very much imbued into Schatzi. Gosh, it sure feels good to be back with our boat as we look forward to another six-month cruising season aboard Schatzi seeing all that Mexico has to offer. We will continue to send you these ditties as we encounter experiences along the way of our sailing adventure that might be interesting to our friends who serendipitously cruise along with us.  Until then if you have a desire to connect back to us, please call or email us at any time. We would love to hear from you!

Roger, Lynne, and Salty

You can reach us at 206-755-4193 or email rdwerner47@gmail.com