May Mornings in the Marina

Some mornings you wake up and realize that all of those winter storms and windy nights in the marina were well worth the bother.
Today would be another one of those glorious days. The cat and I are now back down below, having just spent an enjoyable hour on deck watching the school of anchovies beneath us put on quite a fascinating show.

Springtime is transitioning for summer's arrival here in Gate Five: The fishing fleet is preparing for whatever season might happen; Seine skiff engines are revving up, pounding and grinding can be heard everywhere. The schooner Adventuress is back at the visitor's dock once more, boarding another bus-load of excitable middle-schoolers for a trip into the islands. The squally patches of catspaws, skittling their way across the water make me wish that my kayak repairs were finished and one or both of the Lightnings were back on this side of the bay... But hey, I'm not complaining.
Not one little bit.

So, anyways, these little fishy pals of mine have completely inspired me. They've actually made their way into the manuscript. Chapter 29 of Sea of a Thousand Words. You can "catch" them on the link below. (Sorry, puns are really not my forte).  Windline Press: "Sea of a Thousand Words" Chapter 29 

~Chris

Time's a Flyin'

Well, hello there.
It has been a few months since either of us have put words to screen for our Flota-Navium blog.
Jeff's new Kingfisher Craftsmen business has kept him hopping--so much so that a 65-foot annex had to be erected next to the original boat shop and there are now five boats underneath the tent.

For myself, I've spent the last three months putting 76,341 words to a manuscript. I am at chapter 26--there are 14 more chapters to go. (Needless to say, blog-time is low on my radar).

If you'd like to read an excerpt from the upcoming novel, entitled "Sea of a Thousand Words", you can click on the link and peruse Chpt 7. (My advice to you would be, don't read it if you've booked a vacay at the Oregon Coast anytime soon).  

Astoria's bridge (pre mega-quake).

Chapter excerpt from "Sea of a Thousand Words"







Jeff has promised to sit down and write a few posts about the various projects on some of these classic yachts he has in the tent. Right now, we have a Stephens 48-ft yacht and a Chris-Craft as well as a 1927 Ashcroft sloop, not to mention the new-to-us Lightning Bianca that will join Zeta, (both are classic wooden daysailers from the early 1940s).

Additionally, he will be blogging about the projects in store for our 36-ft Magellan ketch Sugaree, due to be hauled out in the next few weeks for some pretty serious off-shore refitting and re-powering.
(Plans for our South Pacific cruising are definitely still in the works, just got to get that kid through her freshman/sophomore year at University).

--But hey, that's Jeff's job to write about. Mine is to check back in and reconnect with our blogging friends and followers.
Rest assured more adventures to come!


I hope that you enjoy the chapter from my latest project. I am truly having a blast writing about it. (yeah, sorry 'bout that, Astoria).

You'll be hearing more from us again soon... Promise.


~ Chris and Jeffery