Change of California Dream'n

I was only just coming to terms with the hard reality of land dwelling, admittedly with the help of intensive shopping therapy, when there was a drastic change of plans.

For months, while living in hotels or with friends and family, we had pondered what to do... Do we buy in the downmarket or rent for easy fleeing? Do we move the boat to California or keep "Eve" in Rhode Island as an east coast base and sail when time allows?

We watched real estate listings and attended open houses but remained more concerned with Eve. Our home. Basically, for the past several years, our everything. Moving Eve to California was extremely expensive and a commitment to staying on the west coast. (There is so much in between yet to explore!) Consultation with numerous yacht transporters revealed that in order to safely move Eve--53' LOA and 12' HOA without the mast--from RI to CA the journey should be made by water. My captain's land profession wouldn't allow us the required time to travel under sail as preferred, and the boat making the passage without us would feel like cheating. Ok, and there is the we-don't-trust-most-people-with-her factor.

During the final days of my captain negotiating his commitment to one company, the talks focused on relocation and that is when our plan of action became clearer. We don't have a home to sell, or the usual contents to move. Yet there is a relocation package. Yes, a fixed fund towards making the pilgrimage west and setting up camp in a new territory.