Autumn News from Sailboat BOB

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As the north wobbles away from the sun we celebrate the beautiful place we reside in - and are so grateful for the support from friends and family that allows us to live here in Sitka.

We sadly share the news that Eileen Anderson (Blain's mom) passed away last week. Our hearts hurt tremendously with her loss. There is no doubt she was our biggest supporter and she loved that we were able to live the life we do in Alaska. When Blain was in college, Mom offered him a ticket to Alaska for graduation. She didn't know it at the time, but it turned out to be a one-way airfare. He will never be able to thank her enough for the life she gave him, and we will deeply miss her love and encouragement to dream big and make it happen.

It is in Mom's spirit of giving and her love of helping others that we awarded $1500 to our 2023 One Percent recipient. - The Sitka Sound Science Center. They do so much to bring conservation, education, salmon, and science to Southeast Alaska. Lisa Busch is the tireless director and visionary in charge and we are thrilled to help in the beach cleanup efforts they are doing. THANKS SSSC!

SSSC also hosts our favorite science symposium. The Sitka Whalefest is happening again November 2nd-5th and features real-time and virtual science talks and lots of fun things to do all around town.

Sitka is a lovely active town and we really enjoy sharing it with folks. We islanders get a little crazy around any event and it seems they really pick up this time of year. Alaska Day Parades and events, the annual halloween party called the "Stardust Ball", WhaleFest, and a ton more are packed into autumn calendars between hikes in the alpine foliage. And yes - Blain was a peanut, and Monique a blind squirrel.

A fun story: We recieved a phone call from a fellow named Steve who took these amazing photos of the BOB in Glacier Bay from a cruise ship he was on - about 10 years ago. Then he filed the idea away of someday doing a sailing trip in Alaska. He was able to track down the BOB and reach out and we might get to sail with him and his family this summer!

On the exciting front for us: we are actively looking for our first house in Sitka. Yep. You read that right. We STILL don't have our land-legs. Finger's crossed we may soon.

We'd like to put in a plug for author Kevin Moura - who sailied with us this summer. At 17 years old he already has three published books! Kevin (rear) - and his contributer of great ideas - Zane (front) kept us entertained with antics and songs and stories they wrote each day aboard. If you need a good hearty read for a teen, check him out on Amazon.

Monique and Blain were able to travel to Hot Springs Village in Arkansas to spend some time with her dad Arthur. A definite highlight was a voyage aboard Captain Fred's pontoon boat. Luckily he doesn't charge as much as we do for a boat trip. It must have been the snazzy BOB bag we threw in - on his and Admiral Gail's trip with us a couple of years ago.

A few trips are still open in the 2024 season. This is the busy time for bookings, so be sure to get a hold of us soon if you are interested in sailing with us. Book this month and get 2023 prices for 2024 trips.

Been on a voyage with us? How about a review?