I Dream Of. . . huh?

I know, it has been awhile. I guess there was a small fear that we might be leaving since our lease is up and I didn't know how to handle that. But alas our landlord is extending it, so we will just float on.

Two weekends we went to land for the weekend. It was our first weekend away since Oct, we have been waterlocked I guess. It was nice to get away but different than that urge when we lived in the city which would hit about every 6 weeks or so. Life is different in Marin!

While we were gone each evening Ben or I had a dream about water, and no good ones. The first night I have a dream we were at a Camp St. Croix-type of dining hall and there was a tsunami. The water kept rushing in and we had to hold onto the rafters to stay out of the way. I might mention that I do remember that the water was sea/ocean water so it wasn't bath tub warm, but wicked cold like the water we live on. (Guess I miss it when it is not around.)

The next evening Ben had a dream about the Mississippi, and a boat crash. His words of wisdom were; "Ann, if we are ever on a boat on the Mississippi and its capsizes, please listen to me and don't swim under the boat." Ok that seems like sage advice. Apparently, I wanted to prove that I knew what happened to make the boat capsize. After being in boats that have capsized, I can tell you from past performances I am not trying to figure out what happened but how to get the boat back up and stay the H away from the water.

Seems like this floating abode does have an affect on us when we are gone from it. mmm, who knew!

Trick or Treat

Yesterday was Halloween, a much loved holiday among children of all ages. We were very curious if we were going to get trick or treaters. There are children who live here, so we thought we'd get a few. And we did, at both sides of our house.

The biggest surprise was the trick or treaters we got at the back door. Yes, the back door. These people were in kayaks. The first group there were about 5 kayaks, and I scampered down along the house to give them our candy. They said there were about 30 people doing this in kayaks. Then another group came by, which is the photo pictured here. We were trying to throw candy into their pumpkin on their kayak. I wasn't very good at it, but needless to say I helped out the cause. I think these people may have been drinking...mmmm...

I have to say it was the best thing about Halloween, the fact that we got trick or treaters, and some were even on boats. I think I know what we are going to do next year!

I Never Thought I'd Live on a Boat

Yes, the above is true. I never thought I'd live on a boat. In fact if you would have said this to me 7 years ago, I think I would have told you that you were crazy. And then I'd laugh in your face. Ben and I got into a discussion with Ryan and Ashley (lifepartners) on Friday night. And we began talking about if Otis Pagoda really is a boat. Does a houseboat classify as a boat, even though it uses "boat" in its title?

According to webster's a boat is: a small vessel for travel on water. Or another name for a ship. Ok, so we are "small" when you talk about homes. I think we have 1100 square feet here, maybe. Ok that part of the definition; check. Ok let's cover travel. We do "travel" with the tide. You know up and down twice a day, and side to side with the wind and current. Travel part of definition; check. Granted we have nothing to propel us to either move us forward or backwards like a sail or motor. I guess if we had to go out to sea Ben and I would classify as a crew. I am not too sure who would be captain, but that we can work that out if need too.

Ashley was trying to convince us that we do not really live on a boat, but I think that the above will show that yes, we do in fact live on a boat. Did I ever think we'd get here, um no. I never thought I'd live on a boat. (enjoy the little link there)

Things to do in the Hood

A couple of weeks ago friends dropped off a kayak, Old Yeller. (Guess what it is yellow) She sits next to Haddie, our red Zodiac. They both live on our floating dock off of our floating home. Ben has gone out a couple of times in Old Yeller. This week in the calm of the morning I have gone out and paddled around. Yes, I have checked the tidal charts to see what the current is doing as well as where the tide will be. It would be unfortunate if I went out for a paddle then had to drag her home in the mud. Also I have found out that the mud stains clothing, this was discovered after the lock rescue mission. Note: stay away from the mud. (there will be another story later about things I want to dig out of the mud)

Each time I have gone out for about 45 mins or so. After you get over the fact that you are only about 5 inches off the water, it becomes relaxing. I grew up paddling a canoe, but this is a bit different, but yet sort of the same. At least for a while I have Richardson Bay to myself, besides the birds. Yesterday, I saw a cute little seal, seriously they are dogs of the sea. Maybe next time I should bring my camera, there is a waterproof bag in Old Yeller. Going for a kayak is similar to going for a walk in Golden Gate Park.

The interesting thing is that most homes on our pier have boats. There are ski boats, zodiacs, Boston whalers, row boats, old sail boats that looks like they haven't moved in years, sea kayaks, and canoes. These boats apparently become an outlet to embrace the fact that you live on water, and is the replacement for going on a walk. Kayaking is not something we could do from our back door at 128, we would have fallen off the deck. The sad thing is that this is not something we can do together, since it only seats one. I will say that going out for a paddle is a nice benefit of having not only a kayak but a place to put it and use it!