Blog Posts

The definition of adventure—more or less—is a risky endeavor with an uncertain outcome.

Adventures are scary because we don't know what will happen, and they're exciting for exactly the same reason. They are where our greatest challenges lie, as well as the greatest triumphs. Here are some of my own adventures (and mis-adventures!) in writing, sailing, and life.
We Found Pristine Waters
We Found Pristine Waters
We were told that Pristine’s original owner named her after the quest for pristine waters. If so, consider her aims achieved. Colin, Pristine, and I had this bay—and many others... Read more...
Killer Whales in Our Bathtub
Killer Whales in Our Bathtub
It’s a unique experience to wake up, step in the shower, and find a razor-toothed predator. Colin and I live a pretty clean life on Pristine, bathing every morning in... Read more...
“Hard to Port!”
“Hard to Port!”
We’d left Isla Isabel far behind and were in 1500 feet of water, safely far from any obstacles.  So why was that seagull standing on a rock? The binoculars came... Read more...
Surf SUP!
Surf SUP!
After sailing 2500 miles to find warmth and waves, it was time to break out the toys. There’s something about taking the slow boat that improves one’s sense of geography... Read more...
Mother Nature Brings Her A-Game
Mother Nature Brings Her A-Game
The cruising life involves some hefty contrasts. After a week surrounded by beach umbrellas and construction cranes, Colin and I sailed a mere 90 miles and arrived 9,000 years back... Read more...
Magical Mazatlán
Magical Mazatlán
Is it a Señor Frog’s tourist trap or a cultural paradise? Yes and yes. If you have one week to build sandcastles with the kids, squeeze limes into beer, and... Read more...
Sailing the Wide Open Sea
Sailing the Wide Open Sea
Well, almost. We weren’t exactly crossing the Pacific, but Colin and I were heading from Baja to Mazatlán, a journey of roughly 200 nautical miles across the Sea of Cortez.... Read more...
Lessons From a Year of Living Dangerously. And Vibrantly. And Spontaneously.
Lessons From a Year of Living Dangerously. And Vibrantly. And Spontaneously.
Last Christmas, the length of our to-do list would have overwhelmed Santa. Colin and I were hip-deep in selling our furniture, renting our house, prepping the boat for its new... Read more...
Mariachi Christmas from Mother Nature
Mariachi Christmas from Mother Nature
We hope you are enjoying a very Feliz Navidad and will have quite the Prospero Año Nuevo as well. While we really miss our beloved family and friends, we’re also... Read more...
Recipe for Apple Pie à la Mer
Recipe for Apple Pie à la Mer
Start with a three-day coastal passage from Ensenada to Turtle Bay, delayed until your departure falls smack on Thanksgiving. Next, consider carefully what festive holiday dish can be made using... Read more...
Belonging, in San Diego
Belonging, in San Diego
When this sailing dream was new and fragile, I probably talked about it a little too often. The common concerns I inevitably heard voiced—storms, rogue waves, and a variety of... Read more...
Sailing in the Wake of Giants
Sailing in the Wake of Giants
“We must come down from our heights, and leave our straight paths, for the byways and low places of life, if we would learn truths by strong contrasts; and in... Read more...
Running With the General
Running With the General
General Santa Ana was an unpredictable, shape-shifting politician and dubious military leader who helped Mexico gain independence from Spain, then lost more than half her territory to the U.S. Read more...
Colin's Great White — Up Close and Personal
Colin's Great White — Up Close and Personal
The trolling line, which had been quiet since we left Santa Cruz Island, suddenly screamed into life like a swarm of angry bees. Read more...
Working the Dream
Working the Dream
Sailing Pristine: the Maintenance Issue For those of you who open Pristine’s adventures for soothing photos of paradise to help you through your workday, we’re afraid we will disappoint you... Read more...
Got Diesel?
Got Diesel?
Learning how not to run out of fuel in one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. Read more...
Enough Adventure to Grow On
Enough Adventure to Grow On
After a two-month hiatus on land, graciously filled with family, touring, dancing, paddling, biking, surfing and celebrating, it was time to return to our little floating home. Read more...
The Most Epic Wedding That Ever Was
The Most Epic Wedding That Ever Was
There are lots of ‘wedding’ people in the world: people who keep scrapbooks of bridal dresses and consider napkin choices with the seriousness of global peace initiatives. While we have... Read more...
The Midsomer Fantasy Tour
The Midsomer Fantasy Tour
Once upon a time, when I worked 80+ hours a week for a fast-paced startup, I ended each day completely exhausted, but I had a secret way to recharge that... Read more...
Who's Driving the Boat?
Who's Driving the Boat?
I was beyond confused. It was dark. Colin was lying next to me, snoring. If we were both asleep, no one was at the tiller. How had we let that... Read more...
War Games
War Games
Colin and I are pretty diligent about planning passages, but this one threw us some real curveballs. Read more...
Point Conception In Our Rearview
Point Conception In Our Rearview
  We were screaming downwind in 25 knots of breeze with following seas. The jib was giving us six knots of boat speed and we were surfing eight foot swells... Read more...
Shaken, Not Stirred
Shaken, Not Stirred
We said the California Coast would be our shakedown sail and here we are: shaking away.  The planned passage from Monterey to San Simeon went well with two exceptions: it... Read more...
“What's That Noise?”
“What's That Noise?”
That is our affectionate name for a new game we’re learning to play on the boat.  Points gained for correctly distinguishing slapping lazy jacks from slapping halyards without leaving the... Read more...