Well, it's official: our family is moving to CA. My wife Ilse has accepted a position with UC Santa Cruz, doing communications for Lick Observatory. They made an offer we couldn't refuse, and besides, she loves it out there way more than she "likes" FL. The girls are already out there, Balto goes on a plane on Thursday, and I will remain here for about a month to orchestrate the move from this end.
The Red Witch will be staying here with her PO, and I will be towing the Spindrift 22 to CA. It was a tough decision to make, but the sailing that will be available to us out there will be much more suited to a 22' boat with a wide beam, lots of ballast, and a cabin. My intent in buying the 22 two months ago was to keep TRW for daysails, and use the 22 for the longer overnighters so that the girls could begin to accompany me on those adventures, but now we're on a different adventure, and I can't tow 2 boats to CA.
I will continue to lurk this forum, and offer constructive input when I can. TRW's PO might even pop up on here, although he's not much of a computer guy.
jeadstx, I will probably be passing through your neck of the woods around the 1st or 2nd week of August, and I would love to finally meet you in person and possibly go sailing together. I will have no set schedule during my drive, no set destination to reach every day, just going to head West at my own pace. Will probably stop in Pensacola on the way for one more overnighter in those waters as well. I'll keep you posted as I get closer.
I've really enjoyed the 11 years that I've had the pleasure of sailing TRW, and I owe much of that enjoyment to what I've learned from this forum. If you feel the same way, and haven't already done so, please consider joining the DSA and helping to ensure that this forum can continue to be a place where all DS sailors can learn from eachother.
Fair winds and following seas,
- Tim