Aurelia's last trip

[Aurelia]

Last weekend, we took our last trip on Aurelia out to Blake island for a night then on to one of our local favorites, Poulsbo Marina and bakery of course. After an estimated 4800 miles and over 50 nights aboard we decided back in September that our time with the boat was coming to an end because of our lack of time off, penchant for distant wilderness, and other nagging (in a good way) hobbies.

We recently got back into riding motorcycles together and really miss backpacking dearly which is something we pursued steadily for years before Aven arrived. Now that she is hiking 5 miles per day comfortably, it is time for us to get back to those roots. We really got hooked on boating and very hooked on C-dorys and this wonderful group of owners and fans as well.

We still have kayaks and that won't ever change but we also have our eye on a smaller, simpler boat that will likely find a home with us after Aurelia is gone. You know, something we can park for long periods and generally ignore and not feel guilty about it. That never felt like an option for us with Aurelia as she was pampered like a cherished pet as C-dory's should be. We can't just quit boating, so a smaller, simpler 16ft boat for multipurpose day use sounds like it could keep us engaged when we want to be. The 16 Angler/Cruiser was considered of course but I think it will end up being a simple dual console aluminum model in the end with an open bow platform for lake fishing.

It has been great to meet and gather with many folks in the C-brat group during the last couple of years and we will still be on the site and on the water one way or another and of course are still attending the Seattle gathering next month. We have also learned a ton about boating and our boating preferences which has been loads of fun.

I put a few pics in an album of our last trip out and now its time to clean her out and polish her up for listing next month made easier by the fact that she is now parked in our driveway on a 2011 venture tandem trailer thanks to Matt at Kitsap Marina.

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album1150&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

[hardee]

Greg, Cindie & Aven,

Well now, that was not what I was expecting. You put a lot of work into that boat and have done some pretty neat trips. AND did the Portland Pudgy. Sure you don't want to just drydock her for the winter and sort of think that over real slow like again.

You have been an inspiration here and a good resource and it has been fun to get to meet and know you guys. Sure hope that can continue. having the C-Dory does not exclude you from doing other things, and we only require your presence at the CBGT's that are within 200 miles of home base so you have lots of free weekends. Just sayin you know.

I do wish you the best, which ever way you go.

Harvey
SleepyC

[Don and Brenda]

Wow Greg

This came as a big surprise to us all, especially with all the work you have put into your boat, sorry to hear this, but life moves on and someone is going to get a great boat, might even be me.

[colobear]

I won't say too bad because you are moving along your own paths. But, Patti and I will miss the three of you. We wish you well.

[Pat Anderson]

Wow, kind of unexpected! We'll miss you guys at the gatherings!

[localboy]

Sorry to hear, but as Barry said, you must follow your path. I was just discussing life's decisions w/ my son and the consequences each time a person makes one. Good luck and enjoy your young family any way you can.

[amy and karl]

Thanks for all your input. Best wishes in your future adventures.

Karl

[thataway]

Any bets how long until they are back into a C Dory--maybe a 16, 19 or 22? Hard to beat these boats!

Good luck with the new adventures! Just keep having the adventures and new worlds.

[ddenver]

Sorry to hear you guys will be heading off on a different direction Greg but we wish you the best.

Although it seems like it was a relatively short period of time you guys had Aurelia it was always extremely pleasant to see you, Cindy and Aven at different gatherings.

We will miss seeing Aven grow up but your comments seem to make great sense for your preferred lifestyle and of course you are always welcome to stop in at any Gathering C-Dory or not.

See you at the SBS C-Brats Gathering!

Take care,
Dan and Tanya (and Hannah) on C-Renity

[dotnmarty]

You gotta do what you gotta do. Please don't rule out the 16 footer. Just ask anybody who owns one- It's affordable, economical to run, spacious with a camperback, towable with a four cylinder anything, and, with the swing away trailer tongue, stows away in the tinyest little spot on the side of the garage (or in the garage if you're lucky). There are some great deals out there, check out Sark's '89). In the meantime, here's wishing you all the best.

[Sarge]

Greg,

I too am surprised to read this, but agree that you need to do what's right for you.

I told the Mrs that once Pingu was sold that I would wait AT LEASTone year before getting another boat. Well, that lasted exactly 4 months.

See you on the water

[20dauntless]

Sorry to see you're selling Aurelia. That said, some of my most fun and memorable recent adventures have been backpacking. With the money you save by not owning the boat, I'm sure you could have some epic land adventures. Among my favorite backpacking trips are the Kalaulau Trail and into Waimea Canyon (Kauai), the four pass loop around the Maroon Bells (Aspen, CO), and the Salkantay Trail (Peru). I also did some spectacular day hiking and camping near the Lesotho border in South Africa's Drakensberg Mountains. And of course, there's tons of awesome backpacking close to home. I like the Olympic Peninsula and Pacific coast, but I've gone three days at a time with fog so thick I could only hear the ocean...from the beach! Oh, and the Southwest is fantastic as well. Southern Utah is beautiful, New Mexico is interesting...I don't think you'll run out of places to go!

Good luck with the new adventures!

[Pat Anderson]

All said, though, I think you are going to miss the local waterways sooner rather than later...just an educated guess!

[Aurelia]

You are correct in your thoughts. We are hooked and will either end up in something half as long or twice as long depending on how brave we feel in the next few months.

We don't regret a moment with Aurelia and she was perfect for us to cruise our waters in comfort and safety.

Aven will be starting school next year and we jumped into this adventure knowing there was a window of time to most freely test out the boating life and see how we liked it. We are actually excited at the free time coming and have been talking about vacation options for spring and of course looking forward to the boat show browsing.

We did put a bunch of work into the boat but I don't regret a bit of it. We did a lot that most owners will enjoy and I was careful to do very little drilling and stay clever and reversible in the changes I made. It was fun to do and I love working on boats so much more than the house.

The Pudgy contraption really did work well for us no matter how un-conventional. I was pretty sure the next owner would go another route so the boat is back to a clean roof, relatively normalized state.

We just about finished cleaning out the boat today and taking pics and we will finish tomorrow. There we a few folks who PM'd us about the coming sale and I will be sending out pics/description info for the sale early to them this week before listing it later in the week.

You can plan on seeing the Aurelia username around here for some time to come and we will keep on sharing and gathering info to keep the fun rolling.

Greg

[jimandlaurie]

You guys are still C-Brats. You had the kool- aid and so we hope you show up at some CBGTs and visit!