Last night we celebrated our anniversary and Christmas Eve by eating at an up-scale seafood restaurant called Seven Fish. The banana chicken was wonderful and the key lime cheesecake was also outstanding. We found out that a lot of restaurants that have outside eating areas are “dog friendly” and allow pouches under 75 pounds. So Suzy has been going to most meals with us and sharing some of what we eat.

 Bryce and I like to explore together and there is so much to see and do here. This is probably our fourth time here and some of the stores have changed hands over the years. We have also gotten some of Key West mixed up with New Orleans, another favorite place we like to visit. So we have been having fun exploring. Tonight we walked back to our hotel and took pictures of some of the decorative Christmas lights.

We also like eating ethnic foods and there is much of that here. Cuban, Mexican, Jamaican, soul food, Chinese, Sushi, are just a few that we have seen. Bryce is hankering for some ox tail stew; yesterday we had conch fritters and fish bites; today we had pork ribs and black bean soup, as well as Cuban coffee. Yes, we are having fun! What a great way to celebrate!

 Helen 12/25/11

It is beautiful here. There are lots of boats anchored out in anticipation of heading south to the islands. Most cruisers leave late November at the end of hurricane season. Yesterday we were mistaken for cruisers by many of the local shopkeepers–until Bryce bought a heavy winter jacket that was on sale–no, you certainly won’t need that in the islands!

We also had fun showing off our new baby! Everywhere we went both women and men wanted to see and hold our little angel, Suzie-Q. She is so tiny and so cute learning how to walk on a leash–a ferret harness and leash, since we couldn’t find a dog set that was small enough for her.

Today looks like it will be warmer than yesterday, so we are planning to take a dinghy ride down to the end of Taylor’s Creek. With our first two sailboats we could do this because they only drew 2-3 feet, but this one would surely get stuck–but the dinghy can go anywhere! I want to see how much the area has grown with houses since last we were there–and of course, we want to watch the ferral horses on Bird Shoal and Carrot Islands. Sounds like a good plan for a pretty day!

Helen–11/20/10

If you’ve read Helen’s blogs, you know that we’re all excited about the arrival of our new puppy.  We went through agonizing Hell last week during the final days of our 14 year old Yorkie.  I got to be the one to hold her while we put her down.  It’s always my job which I welcome.  I consider it my last gift to my dogs – sort of a way of saying “Thank You” and expressing my love.  By contrast, this week is now a joy with each new capacity that unfolds with this little creature.  Fifteen minutes ago I went down to see her in the galley of our boat.  She proceeded to seek out “kisses” for the first time with unmistakable affection.

The other piece of news is that I’m re-contracting the itch to write.  This time, the book will be about spirituality from a non-dogmatic perspective.  I’m thinking about titling it “When Love & Anger Got Married:  Spiritual Growth Without Dogma.”  If anybody has any feedback about this title, positive or negative, I would greatly appreciate your comments.  The book will contain a lot of what I’ve learned in helping people to grow their own spirituality and meaning without relying on an external doctrine.  Over the years, I have worked with many people in 12 step programs who want the spirituality but don’t want to have to buy into a preset belief system about God.  I’d like to pass on the many things I’ve learned about how people can develop their own belief systems and, more importantly, their unconscious “felt sense” of their life’s meaning.  It’ll be different than the usual focus on conscious belief.  I’ve just started my first chapter but I think I’ll have enough material for about 15 chaptgers.

The weather is getting cooler now and I look forward to the cozy feeling when I write on the boat while Helen stews some lamb in a crock pot.  I can hear her rustling some pots down in the galley while starting to make dinner.  Friends are coming over tonight from the next boat over.  For now, life is good.

Bryce (11/13/2010)

Helen –09/12/10

Bryce and I enjoy these cruises but we work hard too.  I admire Bryce’s wisdom about where to delve each day and how to tailor exercises to meet each couple’s needs.  I know that it must take a lot of courage and energy for each odyssey couple to trust us and give every bit of effort to improve the relationship.  We are always tired at the end of each day and I cannot imagine how tired our couples must be.  Not only do we move the boat from one location to another almost every day, but we also move the relationship forward each day.  There is so much new material to digest daily.  

 As I sit here now and look back at the past three Safe Passage cruises that we have completed so far this summer, I want to say “Thank you” to the couples who have been brave enough to trust us and let us “beta test” the Love Odyssey concept.  It seems that it really does work.  And now I look forward to all the new adventures on the relationship sea for couples who need an odyssey to get their relationship back on course again.

 Helen –08/21/10

Yes, it was hot yesterday–but the breeze was what saved us–and also lots of bottles of cold water to drink. In three hours we were at the Neuse River Marker, half-way to Ocrocoke. Bryce does not like to tack, so the ride back to Oriental was with sails furled and motor going full-tilt. We lounged on the bow and got sufficiently wet with spray to make the heat bearable. An hour later we were tied up in our slip and ready for a dip in the marina’s pool. Not a bad day on the water!
Helen– 07/25/10

We also practice the “I want…will you” principal in his book. “I want ice cream. Will you go to the store and get some?” Of course, with this example we both win! So gradually I am feeling a bit more confident about our joint odyssey endevour. I’ll let you know how things go later in the week.

Helen– 07/12/10

On Saturday we packed up our dinghy and headed to the ocean side of Cape Lookout National Park where we had a picnic, played with our dogs, and the fellows went fishing.  The water temps. were perfect for a swim and the north wind prevented breakers.  It seemed every boat in the Beaufort area was anchored off the beach.  That evening the fellows took this picture of our boat at anchor at sunset.

On Sunday morning we headed back to Oriental.  Out in the ocean we encountered this large pod of dolphins feeding and cavorting.  We took a picture but it just can’t capture the feeling of over thirty dolphins surfacing around the boat.  I can’t help feeling that they too had a great holiday weekend.

Helen — 07/06/10

 This morning Bryce worked on our teak deck, replacing bungs that had come loose over the past several months.  This is a never-ending task, but one that is pretty easy once you’ve done it a few times.  I worked on putting rigging tape over the cotter pins at the base of the shrouds so they do not work loose during a lively blow when the sails are up.  We also repaired some small worn spots on our mizzen mast.  Thus is the life of a sailor—we “pay the piper” for each lovely trip on the water.

 Helen—06/05/10

I think everyone in the Carolinas with a boat was on the water today.  We set up our chairs to watch the traffic streaming in and out of Beaufort inlet.  There were racing sailboats, kayaks, catamarans, runabouts, fishing boats, and the occasional multi-million dollar yacht coming and going.  Then there were all the families with barbeque grills, umbrellas, radios, screeching kids, and barking dogs to add color to the scene.  What fun to just watch!  I don’t think anyone had a bad day at the beach.

Helen –05/30/10