Love Odyssey » intensive marriage retreat

On the Hook–Helen 11/20/10

l0v3.t3cht — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 13:46:55 +0000

We are at anchor in Taylor’s Creek in Beaufort. We came here yesterday morning on a whim. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery and routine. We are anticipating the beginning of a long winter when we have to stay in dock, so we thought this might be one of our last trips of the season.

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

Perfect– Helen 10/11/10

l0v3.t3cht — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 20:30:50 +0000

This past weekend was perfect–spectacular even! Not too hot; not too cold; just right. We left early Friday morning for Ocracoke under blue, cloudless skies. The wind was from the north, but at 10-15 knots it was comfortable in our boat. We arrived about 2:30 and found a place at the Park Service docks. The next two days we strolled the lanes in the village just for fun–no agenda. Yesterday was also true to form–we left by 7:00 a.m. under blue skies and no wind at all. The sound was like a millpond. Of course we had to use our engine, but if most sailors are honest, we use our engines the majority of the time. So the sails stayed furled this weekend, but a good–perfect–weekend was had by all.

Helen– 10/11/10

Just Friends–Helen 09/12/10

l0v3.t3cht — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 17:07:20 +0000

Sometimes it is nice just to hang out and do nothing. This was one of those weekends. Bryce and I have been pretty depleted the past few weeks with work in Cary, family problems and hurricane preparations down here (see my last three blog entries). Therefore this weekend we needed to recharge our batteries and what better way than with close friends. Yesterday morning Bryce went fishing with a good buddy, then we went to the Bean coffee house for some java and small talk. Last night we had good friends over for dinner and a Netflick. Today I just cleaned the boat’s interior and straightened out our ever-growing collection of books (that I plan to read someday). Yes, just hanging out with friends is sometimes exactly what we need.

Helen –09/12/10

Another Odyssey Cruise– Helen 08/21/10

l0v3.t3cht — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:14:31 +0000

We just finished our third Safe Passage cruise. It still surprises me how much progress couples make when they commit to a cruise. Our third couple was no exception—they worked hard and learned other ways to connect with their partner so that the love and intimacy that initially was present years ago could once more be evident.

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

An Apology—Helen 08/08/10

l0v3.t3cht — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 15:36:18 +0000

I have not written a blog for over two weeks, and I apologize to my followers. Bryce and I have been hit with a severe family tragedy that has shaken both of us to our very roots. I cannot divulge the details, but Bryce and I are extremely upset and having difficulty doing even the routine day-to-day tasks. We hope that with time we will learn to live with this and grow to become stronger and better people. As the old saying goes: “That which does not kill you, will make you stronger”. I am praying for that strength and saying the Serenity Prayer several times a day. We lean on each other a lot now, and I am so thankful for Bryce’s strength and wisdom. Together we will heal.

Helen – 08/08/10

Go Sailing–Helen 07/25/10

l0v3.t3cht — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:51:45 +0000

Yesterday my brother and his family came down for a day of sailing. And what a great sail we had! The wind was blowing a steady 15 knots as we headed down the river. We put up a mizzen sail, mainsail and our jib. This was the first time we used our whiskerpole to keep the end of the jib from flapping–wow! We really moved as we sailed wing-on-wing! I have to agree that running before the wind is the best kind of sailing! All you hear is the swish-swish of the bow wave as the boat effortlessley moves through the water. There is very little motion down in the cabin and drinks stay exactly where you placed them.

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

Holiday Weekend

l0v3.t3cht — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:24:20 +0000

We had a fun-filled holiday weekend. We left our dock on Friday morning with a couple we have known for many years and their two pomaranians. This couple owns the boat in the slip adjacent to ours and we have shared many an evening in each others boats. The weather was splendid- sunny skies, warm temps, and no humidity. We took the Intracoastal Waterway to Beaufort and then sailed out in the ocean to one of my favorite spots, Cape Lookout. The wind was perfect for a mizzen sail and staysail and in record time we were anchored in front of Shackelford Banks. I love this anchorage because the wild horses frequently come down to the beach. And sure enough, later that afternoon as we strolled on the beach with our three dogs, we witnessed two stallions squaring off over two mares. What a sight to watch the bold up-start come galloping along the edge of the surf within yards of us, his mane and tail blowing in the breeze and the thunderous sound of his hooves on the packed sand!

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