In the fall of 2020, I moved from a two-story house in a small, rural North Carolina town to a sailboat in Southern California. These pictures pretty much sum up the transition – a “Tin Lizzy” type of car I followed on the backroads of North Carolina to a dog chilling in a California convertible. Both of these states have a laid-back feel to them and there are things to love about both places.
While living aboard a sailboat in a marina certainly comes with challenges, there are also lovely advantages. I have found an unexpected sense of community here on A dock. We frequently check in with one another, pausing now and again to enjoy a beverage and admire an inspiring sunset. We share the small victories, such as a tedious boat project finally completed. We come together for birthdays and celebrations of life. And sometimes just because…such as a gorgeous, sunny Tuesday after a bout of the gloomy marine layer.
Some mornings I am woken by the shrill call of an osprey, a delightful way to begin the day (unless you suspect the osprey has landed on your mast and splattered the less tasty bits of his breakfast all over the deck). Shooting out of bed for that one is a less pleasant way to start your morning! At dusk, the great blue herons stand majestically still upon the dock, fishing for their supper. When startled, they spread those massive wings and issue a guttural squawk, sounding much like I imagine a pterodactyl would.
When the water in the harbor is clear, you can see round rays skimming across the sandy bottom. We even have occasional visits from sea lions, playfully rolling through the marina, happily munching on speckled bass as they go. The marina is surrounded by two parks, full of photogenic squirrels. I enjoy watching the community take advantage of the beautiful green spaces around the bay. Some days there are dozens of celebrations going on at the same time – quinceaƱeras, graduations, birthdays, engagements, and anniversaries. I suppose my only complaint would be the ice cream truck that insists on playing tinny Christmas music every day of the year, mixed in with rousing renditions of Yankee Doodle Dandy!
