J&H

Whangarei Town Basin Marina, New Zealand Turns out our last post was very prophetic, since one week later we were alerted to the news that a Category 3 hurricane would make landfall on the north island of New Zealand as an extra-tropical cyclone. So back we headed to Opunga Cove where we had ridden out […]

Otaio Bay, Urupukapuka Isl It is hard to believe that 23 years ago we were in the midst of preparing for our first offshore adventure on Manu Kai. Back then we devoured every book we could find that was written by those who had circumnavigated, those who had decades of experience sailing offshore, and those

McCall, Idaho Greetings and Happy New Year! The dust has settled from our typically hectic holiday times and we finally have a moment to reflect on our peripatetic wanderings of 2025. Per the wisdom of J.R.R. Tolkien, “All who wander are not lost”. Perhaps this is our life motto. Chapters of our lives are marked

Whangarei Town Basin Marina, New Zealand Our brief cruise here in New Zealand is wrapping up, eight weeks full of all sorts of nautical and cultural delights. Visiting Urupukapuka, Opunga, Whangamumu, Whangaruru, Tikorangi, Wainui, Okahu, Mokohinahu, Whangaroa, Tutukaka, Orokawa, Paihia, Parua and Kerikeri was enough to keep us up on our Maori vowels and history.

Urupukapuka Bay, Urupukapuka Isl, New Zealand To no surprise to most of you, yes indeed, we are back to the cruising life. What may be a surprise is that we have transitioned to the “dark side”, that is, we are now power boat owners. And we could not be more thrilled! Our new cruising platform,

McCall, ID It’s official. On January 31st we turned over the helm of Kailani to a new owner. The tears were bittersweet as we stepped off of Kailani for the last time in Opua, New Zealand, our time aboard as a family officially over, and a major chapter in our lives complete. This journey with

McCall, ID We departed from down under in mid October, and after seven flights, time spent in Colorado and New Jersey, many time zone changes, and one encounter with a movie star … we are back in Idaho! We left New Zealand during their spring, had glorious warm fall weather in Colorado and back in

Bay of Islands, New Zealand Finally – a GREAT passage! We had fantastic weather for the 1,200 nm run from Tonga, arriving into the Bay of Islands at 1230 local, just as a cold front arrived, this of course meaning 30 kts on the nose and pouring rain. But we were in the shelter of

Kenutu Island, Tonga On a certain warm July afternoon, my father stood on the trash dock of Vava’u harbor, watching my mother bring in Kailani and eagerly narrating the proceedings to me. I was sprawled on top of my suitcases, legs hanging off the end, a Duke hoodie covering my face. Now and then I

Kapa Isl, Tonga Well, as of yet, still no cabana boys delivering drinks to me while I lounge on the beach … Truth be told, I have not really given these phantoms a chance, since I have only been on land twice since we arrived. Yes, it is strange to think I have spent less