“As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” Rumi
BY KIMBERLY MAYER
We are thinking about selling the boat. The boat that brought us here, to the San Juan Islands. We lived in Seattle then and we were just starting to dream about living here.
We found a waterfront house on San Juan Island and lived on the boat in the marina while our home was being remodeled. On our bay there are no ferries, no commercial boats of any kind. Only residents quietly coming and going in kayaks, canoes, and small fishing boats. We see our neighbors paddling by more often than we do on the shore.
This is where I want to live, I said way back then. At the end of the world. The archipelago reminded me of Pat Conroy’s beloved low country in South Carolina. The turning back of the clock, stuck in time, almost off the grid.
Life on an island will be made even smaller if we sell our boat.
Will we lose this connection to other islands?
When a woman I know from Houston came to Seattle on book tour she remarked, “When you’ve seen one pine tree you’ve seen them all.” I’m wondering, is it that way with islands? I think not. You can turn my husband around at sea and he can identify any island by its shape, by the contour of its hills. The islands are individuals much like trees are sentient beings.
We have talked to the kids about the boat and everyone understands. The boat is getting old, and we’re not getting younger. For one reason or another she is spending too much time in the slip. A couple of our friends recently sold their boat. Another couple were relieved when their sailboat sank. Lately a broken down expresso machine at home impacts us more than the loss of a trawler.
Haven’t I always said, the smaller the boat, the more the fun? Our time would be freed up to kayak more. Kayaks, paddleboards, a canoe, and a rowboat, such is the small fleet at home.
As my friend said on putting down her dear old ailing dog, “As much as I miss her every day, I’m thinking I may have kept her too long.”
We are living with the idea. I’ll write this up and see which way the wind blows. We’re heading out this week to the Gulf Islands, BC, and time will tell. Trawling will tell. It’s a fluid situation.
a little elbow room
a little elbow room 
Whoa!! Selling the boat…I actually get it, I do. I think I do. Do I? We had a marvelous time on your boat. Then again, it was just as great huddled around the espresso machine….Whatever you decide, we’ll paddle along with you.
No decision yet, but yes, you’re with us!
Your island sounds amazing. I lived on Anna Maria Island, not far from here, when I moved to Florida and there was something almost magical about living on an island. There were 3 drawbridges to get on the island and I absolutely loved them. Unfortunately, “Florida’s best kept secret” is no longer a secret and our laid back life style (free trolley, walk to grocery store, pharmacy, hardware store, living a block from the beach) changed as the island became a destination for partying in the huge party houses that were built where cute bungalows had been. I am so fortunate to have the memories of living a dream.
Will you be able to get to the mainland if you sell your boat?
I have ridden my motorcycle (this one) since 2001. I have over 100,000 miles on her, have ridden in every one of the continental states and I am thinking of giving her up. I don’t have the time I used to with my gardens, and with so many drivers looking at their phones as opposed to the road, it has gotten a lot more dangerous. Maybe one more ride…..
I look forward to following y’all’s adventure!
I know, islands… Every chance I get I seem to find myself on one.
San Juan Island manages to stay pretty remote. There’s a ferry service to the mainland, so not totally isolated here.
I feel for you giving up your motorcycle, Bill, but it does sound like the smart thing to do. Then you can remember all your rides like you remember Anna Maria Island when it was a lovelier place to live.
Only you will know when it’s time to let go of the big boat and look to the calm created by your canoe or kayak.
I think we know which way this should go. You are my spirit animal, Carla.
Great writing as ever, Kim. Sorry, I’m so late in writing this. We’ve been in a whirl of packing up and preparing to leave. We’re on the precipice now, departing for Canada October 2. In any case, this is so evocative, and I hope you sold the boat!