Electric

 Electric pod motor

Where is Kiana?

I came across the YouTube channel and blog of Kiana, a beautiful young lady sailing an old catamaran across the Atlantic Ocean. 

Often, we procrastinate because we cannot afford the fancy boat we dream of, but the adventure awaits us on a simple, inexpensive boat we can afford now.

https://whereskiana.com/

 

Bound for Distant Seas by James Baldwin

 I am listening to the book "Bound for Distant Seas - A Voyage Alone to Asia Aboard the 28-Foot Sailboat Atom" by James Baldwin

"Bound for Distant Seas" is a maritime adventure memoir by James Baldwin, detailing his solo circumnavigation of the globe aboard his small sailboat, Atom. Baldwin shares his experiences from preparation to completion, including challenges at sea, the solitude of long passages, the cultures he encounters at various landfalls, and the deep personal insights gained through the journey. The narrative goes beyond mere adventure, delving into Baldwin's philosophy on life, self-reliance, and the pursuit of dreams against daunting odds.

Q: Who is James Baldwin in the context of sailing?

A: James Baldwin is a renowned sailor and author in the sailing community, known for his extensive solo voyages and contributions to sailing literature. Baldwin is particularly celebrated for his ability to undertake long-distance sailing adventures on a modest budget, demonstrating that such feats are accessible to individuals willing to embrace simplicity and the challenges of the sea. His works, including "Bound for Distant Seas," inspire and inform both seasoned sailors and those dreaming of casting off the dock lines for distant horizons.

Q: What can readers learn from "Bound for Distant Seas"?

A: Readers can learn a multitude of lessons from "Bound for Distant Seas," ranging from practical sailing techniques and preparations for extended voyages to deeper philosophical reflections on life's purpose and the value of pursuing one's dreams. Baldwin's narrative encapsulates the essence of adventure, the resilience required to overcome adversities at sea, and the transformative power of solitude and self-discovery. Additionally, the book serves as a guide and inspiration for those yearning to explore the world by sail, emphasizing the attainability of such ambitions with determination and resourcefulness.

Q: How does "Bound for Distant Seas" contribute to the genre of adventure and sailing literature?

A: "Bound for Distant Seas" is a significant contribution to the genre of adventure and sailing literature, offering a unique blend of thrilling sea voyages, insightful personal reflections, and practical sailing wisdom. Baldwin's articulate narration and deep connection with the sea enrich the reader's understanding of the complexities and rewards of solo sailing. His story adds a valuable perspective to the body of maritime literature, highlighting the indomitable spirit of human adventure and the profound lessons learned in the pursuit of one's passions on the open ocean.

Cherry blossoms and a black bear while riding a motorcycle

March 20, 2024
Yesterday was the last of several sunny days, and since I did not ride my new motorcycle much, I decided to go for a sunset cruise in the region's forested canyons.
Unlike riding offroad, for which my knobby 250cc is designed, cruising streets is quite a bad experience. The bike shakes and vibrates at speeds up to 30 mph, and I did not even attempt anything above 40. 

It is definitely not Tenere or BMW, but I have spent under 2,000 and not $12,000.

On the motorcycle ride, I went to Snoqualmie Falls and stopped by several spots by the river.

In The Fall City, there are rows of cherry trees by the river, and I was glad I went, as in a few days, I would have missed them. It was beautiful.

47°32'43.7"N 121°50'28.3"W


On the way back, after sunset, I saw a large black bear in the middle of the road. I had to slow down and rev my engine for the bear to finally disappear into the forest. What is fantastic is that it was just a short mile from my kid's school.

47°34'15.6"N 121°58'58.8"W

Active retirement plans

Either because of the stress or because of some unknown to me heart condition, I have felt stinging in my heart for the last few days. I think it is just stress because otherwise, I have been recently extreme double-diamond skiing and hiking mountains without issues. 

Nevertheless, I have been contemplating the possibility of kicking the bucket early and whether I will be able to live long enough to enjoy an active retirement. I will be approaching the retirement age in a decade when kids reach college age.

It is an ongoing inside joke with Natalia that I have a thousand and one plans for retirement. 

It is true, I have considered many options including a few locations abroad. 

One of the obvious locations would be right on my ancestral land in mountains of Poland I wanted to build a small log cabin not unlike the one on Maciejowa mountain nearby. Living in what we call “bacøwka” was always my dream. The place is biking distance (Kajtek did it) from Krakøw, a center of Poland’s culture which is very important. The problems with Poland are multiple; Natalia and kids do not speak the language and would feel out of place there, especialy that country life can be rough around the edges. 

Another place, which actually will never happen is Madeira island. I would love to visit Madeira for months at the time. I was joking that if I ever disappear without any sign, I probaby will rent a room in the red terrracota roofed house, eat the best sea and steak food in the world in the nearby restaurant, write books and hike “levadas”.

The third obvious place would be “Up North” in Hudson, Charlevoix county, Michigan. The place is surrounded by the rolling hills covered by maple trees that delight in the fall. The hearby Great Lakes sailing and the wine country are a bonus. Michigan has hundreds of state parks with geat RV parking facilities surrounded by woods and beautiful lakes.

Life in Michigan after the fall deer hunting season is not very romantic, so some warmer location would have to be included.

Finally, living in PNW would be most wonderful with sea and mountains surrounding us, if we can afford buying a place here. Even if we bounght today, there is no way to pay it off by the time we retire. Having morgage while retired would be a financial risk.

As far as what I want to do when I retire is very simple and it does never change, I want to stay active as long as I can, hike mountains, sail, scuba dive and write books.

I think we have an agreement with Natalia that we do not like big stinky cities. We both like culture and I tollerate small cute towns, in fact, even now, instead of being at home, I am sitting in a cafe in Isaquah Highlands, one of my favorite towns in America.