Getting Supplies For Our Trip (By Vicki)

While my husband is busy making sure the boat doesn't sink and actually runs, I'm trying to decide what to bring.  Some days I'm all about bringing the bare minimum.  Other days, I want to bring it all (and then some).  I could live with minimal creature comforts, but do I want to?  Maybe not. Probably not.  If nothing else, I need my ipad.

Of course I've packed the basics- food, water, pans, blankets, clothes & toiletries, but did you know I'm bringing the cat?  That reminds me, I need to bring kitty litter.  It was quite the challenge finding a place for her litter box on that tiny vessel.  I'll get a picture of that later.  I also decided that I need a place to hang my clothes, at least the dresses, so I bought a tiny wardrobe.  Last, I needed a place to rest my feet and store all my stuff so I ordered this awesome storage stool, and after it arrived I realized how truly awesome it was and purchased a second one for the rest of my stuff.

My husband's only concern was ice.  Would there be enough ice for the Rum?  I got him a portable ice maker.  I'm excited about that too.

Am I bringing too much stuff, or am I forgetting something?

This is the cat.  She's very excited about her upcoming adventure.

I Really, Really Needed This Storage Stool.  Actually I Needed Two of These

I needed this too.  Rest easy, it will be properly stowed until we reach our destination.

Because My Husband Has To Have Ice For His Drinks

Getting the boat ready the way I want it. (By Aaron)

From Aaron... Well I thought I should contribute to this a bit. First I will say shhhhhh don't tell my wife how much cash I have spent on this boat. I like to make sure my wife and I are comfortable and safe. So with that said, I have had so many repairs done to this boat. I am not going to go into all the boring repairs. Lets just say there were too many to list. But, I will list a few things. I painted the bottom of the boat; refinished all teak; redid floor and walls; multiple engine and pump repairs, bathroom repairs, bilge pump repairs,etc.-  Repairs on top of repairs.  I think that's enough for now, but there is more.

I have a very good ac system now. That is a very important thing to me. Knock on the teak wood on my boat everything is running well. " At least at the moment" I had to put a 32inch TV on the boat with a blue ray player. I will say it was very hard figuring out how to get Netflix and cable to work right. I finally got it to work right through my iPhone and play on the TV. Now it will work well any place I go. Next I had to have a new mattress made for the bed. I had a memory foam one made. That made my wife very happy. Then I had a new radio and GPS put in the boat. I thought well just maybe I should get curtains made for all around the boat so not everyone could see my wife and I naked as we got dressed each day.

Now all of that it done. It only took a year or so to get it all done. Now I am starting to get all the supplies ready for the trip and any other little thing done to the boat I can think of. We all know that never ends NEVER I SAY... So stay tuned lol.

I Renamed the Boat "The Office"

Nobody Thinks We'll make it. We Will! (By Vicki)

Follow Our Journey at 30Days.US

I learned today that there are bets out on our upcoming adventure.  Our friends don't think we will make the full 30 days. Friends have bets out on the number of days we will last on the boat ranging from 2 to 10 days. We can do this!  I don't think 30 days is enough.  This is a trial run, and if all goes well, we will be planning longer trips.

That got me to thinking.  What is it about tiny living that scares so many people.  Have I underestimated the amount of space I really need?  In the days leading up to our trip, I've been taking note of the things I use every day.  It's not all that much. I've also observed my foot patterns inside the house-  Couch, Desk, Kitchen, Bed, Repeat.

I love the outdoors, and I think tiny living will draw me outside even more.  I am very excited that we will be docked at The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg marina.  The location is amazing and we will have full access to the Vinoy's pool, fitness center, spa, and grounds.

Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Pool-  I plan to spend a lot of time here.

The Vinoy is located at north end of downtown St Petersburg, a very walkable part of  the city.  I am really exited to explore the restaurants, shops, museums, and parks in the area.

If I get tired of being on the boat, The Vinoy has plenty of  really cool sitting areas.  

I plan to spend some time by the fire at the Vinoy.

If nothing else, I will learn a lot about myself.  Am I really the adventurous free spirit I think I am?  I've never had the opportunity to do anything quite like this before.

Then Came Sheila (By Vicki)

Follow Our Journey at 30Days.US

I was quite happy with our little boat, but my husband always wanted bigger and better.  We tossed the idea of upgrading around for years.  The SS Minnow had everything we needed for a nice day on the water.   None of the boats we looked at justified the added expenses in dock fees, gas, insurance, and other B.O.A.T (Break Out Another Thousand) Fees.   Except for Sheila.  Sheila was different.  I told my husband, Aaron, if he wanted to upgrade, he could buy The Sheila.  We both laughed.  Sheila was out of our league.

Our marina has a Tiki Bar that overlooks both the water and the dry docks.  We've spent many Saturday afternoons at that Tiki Bar watching the boaters come and go.   Our friends, trying to help out Aaron, would say, "What about a boat like that?  You could get a boat like that".   My answer was always, "Nope.  If we are going to upgrade, it's going to be to The Sheila".  Sheila was the prettiest boat in our marina.  Our friends laughed.  Sheila was out of our league.

Then one day, my husband came home from work and informed me he had bought a big boat.  I was less than excited.   I reminded him of my love for commercial cruising and how Carnival was doing a fine job satisfying my need for longer adventures.  Then he showed me this picture on his phone.

Aaron With The Sheila

It was The Sheila!  Aaron bought The Sheila!   She had been sitting in dry dock for years, and her owner, now in his 80's, decided it was time to let her go.  He couldn't have sold her to anyone that would love her more.

I Never Dreamed I'd Do This (By Vicki)

Follow Our Journey at 30Days.US

In 30 days, my husband and I will begin our journey, 30 days on 30 feet.  The plan is to live abroad our 30 foot Sea Ray for a month.  We will be docked at The Renaissance Vinoy Resort Marina in St. Petersburg, Florida.

This is Us!

This adventure has been a long time in the making.  Our love for boats began early on.  In fact, we rented a small fishing boat on our second date.  Shortly after we were married, we bought "The Yacht".  Our second boat, "The SS Minnow",  a real upgrade, had a steering wheel and Bimini top.

Our friends and family think we are a little crazy for attempting this journey, but we are at a place in our lives where we have the courage and freedom to follow our dreams.  I see plenty more boating adventures on our horizon, and this 30 day trip is just the beginning of bigger and better adventures still to come.

THE YACHT  2006-2008

THE S.S. Minnow  2009-2013