Welcome to the cruising blog of Wayne and Michele Sharp!

If you want to learn a little bit about cruising, satisfy your curiosity, live vicariously, or be entertained, I think you've come to the right place.

Feel free to ask questions or post comments in the comment section of each post; I will respond to all of them. You can also email us at reluctantsailor@me.com.

We've written a book based on the blog from our first journey in 2007 - Adventures of a Once Reluctant Sailor: A Journey of Guts, Growth, and Grace. It is available online from my website at reluctantsailor.net, and from Apostle Islands Booksellers, Copperfish Books, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. Your local bookstore can also order it for you. We've included over 170 color and black and white photos.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

A birthday to remember

Today is my birthday, and it was a memorable one.

I woke up in this gorgeous boat, moored in Eternity Bay on the Saguenay fjord, surrounded by breathtaking mountains. The sun, which we hadn't seen since leaving Quebec, was trying hard to make an appearance.

Wayne and Claus did a dinghy run to shore with our garbage and met a family with four kids from Ottawa, who were finishing up a two-month sailing trip. They had been to some of the places we are headed for, so Claus invited them over to Kyanna to look over charts and give us suggestions. Coincidentally, one of the daughters was also celebrating her birthday.

We left at 12:15 and actually sailed the entire 26 miles to Tadoussac...with our spinnaker (the big, colorful sail)! An added bonus was that Rachael - a very competent photographer - photographed us while we were underway.

We moored in Tadoussac at 4:00 under heavy winds and took the dinghy in to shore. What a charming town! We walked around, took photos, and went to the grocery store before returning to our boat for hors d'oeuvres and to Kyanna for dinner. We had a surprise when we returned to the dinghy after our walk: the tide had gone out, leaving the dinghy sitting on the beach.

Rachael made a delicious birthday dinner of pork chops, green beans, a fresh baguette, French Rabbit chardonnay, and for dessert, a flourless chocolate torte. Yum! They even had birthday presents for me. Claus and Rachael have become such dear friends.
Seeing whales was the icing on the birthday cake, so to speak. No, I couldn't have asked for a better day. God is good.

4 comments:

  1. Happy birthday, Shelley! What a special one at that. I'm so glad you two are having the trip of a lifetime. It wouldn't surprise me if it turns into the trip of the year, with more to come...

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  2. In doing a trip like this-is there one thing that is more awsome than another?It's so fascinating the decsriptions you are able to give of the journey-that one can almost feel as if they can see what you see.Those houses that you went by that didn't have hardly any land-oh my, one might never know what it is to feel secure-much less "go for a walk" Some of the old places in Canada would be fun to go see for the sake of History-We've been up to Canada and have seen some original forts from canoes coming down the river with furs and supplies. Is there one major thing that is starting to stick out as a life changing event? I'm taking classes on quilting and learning some of the ways they were done in the old days-what little stuff they had to use and what percise,difficult projects they came up with. I have much respect for history and what was done to get all of us to these different paths in our lives. Oh well, time to go attend mommies who are pregnant for the first times and are not doing to well in the food department-always sleep deprived and the other 5 grandchildren wanting their special day with Nana so they can pick a movie(at the movie theater)lunch of their choice-burger king so far has been a big hit--and maybe a stop at target!! Now they are wanting special days all the time and I think we are going to have to revisit the meaning of special days as it orignially started out as a fluke. Jim is good-keeps on going-and does sleep very well all night-which my fibermyasia does its best to keep me up-Thankyou so much for letting us browse throuh your travel journals-Jim is not one to write much but he does send his love and greetings!Stay safe PJ and Jim Good

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  3. Happy Belated Birthday, Michele.
    We are headed to Mpls. tomorrow for the Labor Day weekend. Bob, Mike, and Hunter are going on a fishing trip to Rainy Lake. That should be interesting. Hunter's first big fishing trip and first time away from Mommy. I am looking forward to loving up Kylee. She is so sweet and now she smiles from ear to ear. It is so fun! Her baptism was a couple of weeks ago at their church in Elk River. The minister said such beautiful prayers and blessings for her. Her Godparents are Kelly (Flynn) and her husband, Chris. Megan is going to Las Vegas with 3 girlfriends this weekend so I will miss out on seeing her. She is very busy with her thesis and hopes to graduate with her master's degree in December. We are so proud of her. By the way, Mike's old Honda has finally died. Does anyone have a good used car for sale? It is very hot here! Record highs! Our pool should be done next week! Hope all is well. God bless you.
    Karen

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  4. Thanks for the birthday greeting, Tracy.

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    Thanks for following the blog and posting your comments, Paula. It's also fun to hear what's going on in your life... sure sounds like you're enjoying those grandkids.

    Wayne said to tell Jim that he misses getting together with the guys on Thursdays.

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    Karen, thanks so much for all your comments and news on the blog. I like to hear what's going on with other people in the real world; it can get a little lonely out here.

    Three generations of Eno men fishing together...Bob will be in his glory, won't he? Kylee is at such a fun age. I am jealous! Give her extra cuddles for me, ok?

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