Ash & Anchor + Megan the Nautie Mermate = LOVE

You know that feeling when you find something you love and you want to buy many, much, more?  You want to use it all the time and you want everyone else to know how much you love it.  More importantly you want everyone else to have it and love it too!

ASH AND ANCHOR SCARVES ARE THIS THING THAT WE SHOULD ALL LOVE!  (and Nautie Friends it's your lucky day!)

I had been oohing and aahing over Ash & Anchor scarves for a long time.  I would look at all the pretty designs and think, 'I think this is a need not a want, right?'.  I've actually talked about them on the blog a lot too!  (See here and here and here.)

Finally, I said:  Treat 'Yo Self!

When my Pavo Scarf arrived in the mail it was packaged beautifully - with a hand written note - which my Grandmother would have majorly approved of.

I immediately took it on a few trips.  Vegas, Austin, Seattle and, Vancouver were all just slightly more enjoyable with Pavo along.  On my Seattle / Vancouver trip the weather was a strange mix of warm and cold - sunny and drizzly - Pavo was perfect for this.

Listen, when you have a scarf that looks good in a bag you know you've found a winner!

We talk a lot about travel accessories around here.  What our travel 'must-haves' consist of.  Where we like to go and what we like to wear when we go there.  We talk about looking fancy when we feel anything but.  We also talk about things that just make sense....and are lovely at the same time.

Traveling with Pavo was lovely...and made sense.  It rolled right up into my purse.  I wrapped Big Bertha up in it and threw her in my bag.  I pulled it up over my head when I was freezing on the plane.  I cleaned my sunglasses lenses with it.  I zipped my jacket up over it when I was freezing in Vancouver.  Lovely I tell you, Lovely.

Here's the good news:

Nina Glaser of Ash & Anchor has been so kind as to give a Veda Scarf to one lucky reader!

Nautie Friends, I'm so incredibly honored that Nina has gifted a Veda Scarf to this humble blog.  I'm also incredibly excited that one of you are going to be cruising around town in style!

Here's what you can do to make this lovely yours: 

• Post a comment.  Tell us your favorite travel destination and your must have travel accessory.  We love travel stories around here!  Have you had an adventure that you'd like to re-tell?  Now's your chance!
• We love us some social media.  Tweet it up!  Facebook your Friends!  Instagram this amazingness!
• Tell everyone you know.  You have a blog?!  Perfect!

One week from now (that would be 09 Aug) I'll pull a name from a hat.  Posted a comment?  That's a slip in the hat.  Sent a tweet out into the twitterverse?  That's a slip in the hat.  Invited a new reader to the blog who is sly enough to drop your name?  That's a slip in the hat!  

Was I right, or was I right?

IT'S A LUCKY DAY!

Can't wait to read about where you've been and what kind of shenanigans you've gotten up to!  Can't wait to see you kicking around the interwebz!  Can't wait to meet some new friends!

You can find me on Instagram @nautiemermate (sorry can't link up to Instagram on the ship) - I tweet away @nautiemermate - I'm alive and well at Megan the NautieMermate on Facebook.  

The Panama Canal :: Sailor Friends Are The Bestest

I woke up on Panama Canal Day (yes, thats what I had been calling the day we were to arrive in Panama) with a tweet waiting for me.  It said:

You see, when I was a Midshipmen at Maine Maritime Academy I wasn't the only tropical transplant.  I had a classmate from Panama.  We called him Panama.  Seriously.  (and for the most part he called me Hawaii...)  So of course, knowing that he still lived in Panama and worked on Tugs I sent him a tweet.  Hello, 2013!  The age where sailors can tweet eachother from sea!

(okay fine, that's a highly edited photo of our anchorage.  but doesn't it look cool?!)

Sure enough - there was an email waiting for me.  Full of detailed information about what to expect for the day - detailed information - like, what anchorage we would be at, what our pilot boarding time would be, and what an admeasurement survey consisted of.

Unfortunately, we knew just due to the timing of our arrival - and his work schedule that he wouldn't be able to come aboard for the transit however; being the crafty sailors we are we had a plan!

Things went exactly according to his email.

The admeasurer boarded the vessel and began his task.  When a vessel makes its frist trip through the canal The Panama Canal Authority sends a representative to the vessel to literally measure the ship ensuring that the tonnage and beam of the vessel is accurate.  The admeasurer calculates the vessels 'extreme beam'.  The extreme beam of the vessel normally doesn't vary much from the beam listed on the ships particulars but, will include the width of shell plating and, any fenders or gear that may protrude from the ship which may interfere with their ability to enter the locks.

This Gentlemen measured everything.  Even the diameter of our Rudder Angle Indicators. Trust me:  everything was measured.

Once the admeasurement was done I took a quick nap.  I knew it would be a long night..

Before I knew it I was up on the bow heaving the anchor and shaping up to enter the Panama Canal.

Let me just interrupt things to say:

I'VE BEEN WAITING TO GO THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL FOREVER.  I WAS BEYOND EXCITED TO TRANSIT THIS CANAL!!!!!!!!!

Where were we?  Okay, so we're shaping up for the canal.  It feels like a jungle.  I'm literally drenched in sweat.  The humidity must have been 150%.  The sides of the channel were lush and green and there was that weird tropical mist lingering above the trees.  I have this picture in my head of The Heart of Darkness - like I'm on an old steamer and it may be awhile before I see civilization for awhile.

Very close to the Western Canal entrance is the first set of locks called Gatun.  Now listen, I could go on and on about how cool the locks are.  I'm going to save you from this and instead, just show you lots of pictures.

Basically there are these incredibly powerful trolleys (also called Mules) that give you wires and assist you in and out of the canal.  There are four wires in total - two on the bow and two on the stern - which are crossed from port to starboard and vice versa.  An efficient team of line handlers boards your vessel during your approach to the locks and handles everything for you.  Basically, you need one crew member to operate the winch for the line handling team.  Did I mention this team is efficient?  Efficient!

Due to the variance in water levels sometimes the trolleys are on very steep inclines.  Did I mention they're powerful?  Powerful!

Admittedly, as soon as we passed through this lock I went straight to bed - to wait for tweets from my friend letting me know we were passing through his area.

Sure enough the tweet arrived and I ran up to the bridge and there, right near my stern was The Little Tugboat Who Could!

I ran inside, grabbed a flashlight and ran back out so I could start waving my arms around like crazy and swirling my flashlight around in circles.

Knowing that my friend got his crew together to come over and say hello was a moment for me.  One of those moments where I realize that attending Maine Maritime Academy changed my life - for the better.  The fact that I have friends who are going to come say hello in the Panama Canal on a Tug Boat while I'm on a Heavy Lift Ship is EPIC.  Being a sailor is a strange mix of being lonely and being surrounded by people.  It's hard to maintain friendships when you're at sea but the flip side is that Sailor Friends are friends for life.  Panama (the person) you're the bestest - thanks for the lights and the tweets and the warm Panamanian welcome.

Clearly, I needed to tweet Panama.  The amount of tweets exchanged in one day was pretty amazing.  Two Ships Passing In The Night!

Following my Panamanian driveby I took one more quick nap before my last set of locks.

By this time I wasn't taking nearly as many photos.  I was mostly enjoying the scenery and making sure my family could find me on the PanCanal Webcam's.

The grand finale?  Passing under a pretty bridge!  Don't ask me it's name...no clue....

Nautie Friends, this post has taken me forever to write and I feel like I've really rushed it.  There is more to say!  More photos to post!  More to dissect!

It's going to have suffice for now and hopefully I can post a Panama Canal Dos soon.  Please excuse all the grainy iPhone photos!

30x30 :: Go Hot Air Ballooning

I WENT HOT AIR BALLOONING!!!

Going hot air ballooning was a big deal. When I called my Girl Cousin and asked her if she wanted to do this trip with me (cause you know...birthday buddies...) I said, 'I'm not going on a budget. I'm staying in a nice hotel...and I'm going on a balloon ride...you still in?'. She was in - so we booked our balloon ride with Napa Valley Balloons. Nautie Friends, they get an A+, yo. A big 'ole fat perfect score.

Our ballooning adventure is what you might call: giving up is for losers.

Originally, our platypus tour and balloon adventure were in conjunction with eachother - we'd be whisked away from our post balloon ride champagne breakfast to go on a wine tasting tour - or at least that's what I imagined...

We woke up briiight and early on our first day in Napa and were picked up at our hotel (it was still dark out kind of early). We got to the balloon check in point and to say that the staff of NVB (Napa Valley Balloons) was friendly is an absolute understatement.

Any which way, we take off for our balloon launch site. The balloons are there - they're getting filled up - the sun is making them look magical - we get assigned a balloon - we literally run for our balloon - and then it got windy.

I was literally laying in the basket (which is on its side) to help provide a little weight. The balloon is filling up - as in the burner is going and so are the fans. Take off was imminent - I mean, other balloons were drifting past our location (flown by other ballooning companies).

....and then the day was cancelled due to wind speeds. Wop Wop. It was surreal. We looked at each other and said, 'did that really just happen?'.

Perk? We got to watch them roll the balloons back up and there was a cute little dog who clearly knew the drill!

Thank goodness we had some wine tasting in our future because it did detract a bit from our horrible let down.

I'd also like to mention that I appreciate when things are cancelled due to safety concerns. You cancel anytime you like NVB! Don't you worry about those other balloons in the air! I'm happy to trust the judgement of an experienced pilot...must be the sailor in me...

But listen friends, is that anyway to WIN?! One day of high wind and you let it lie? Glad you're with me because NO...no it's NOT!

We rescheduled and woke up again at the butt crack of dawn! Day two. Hungover as all get out (thanks Platypus!) - we climbed back into the van for a ballooning adventure.

This is the only photo I have our day two adventure because the decision was made to ground the balloons as we pulled into the parking lot. I must admit we were a tad under the weather so going back to bed wasn't sounding too awful.

As we were driving through the Valley I turned to Girl Cousin and said, 'you know we could try one more time....I know you fly out in the morning but we could literally drive ourselves to the parking lot and head straight to the airport after we land....I mean we could...'. She said, 'let's do it!' so, I called NVB and asked to be put on the schedule one more time....in our favorite pilot Bob's balloon of course.

Hence, day three in Napa commenced. With an early morning jaunt to Domaine Chandon with our fingers crossed!

Guess what? We actually went on a balloon ride! It was so different than I thought. Do you know that you really can't steer a balloon? You can go up and down - and the rest is up to the wind. Jeez, how symbolic is a balloon ride? Maybe a little like life, no?

Wanna know how sassy all that ballooning made me? I'm going again. Wanna know why? It was a tad cloudy on Day 3. Listen, I had some epic photos planned - don't get me wrong I got some good ones (over 350 in fact) but, I want to see a gilded Napa Valley - and I will!

Alright, I know what you're thinking. If you can't steer it how do you land? Well, I believe the answer is that you hope to have a decent pilot. We literally landed on a strip of gravel next to the highway. For realsies. We kind of skidded a long and then stopped. Then the 'chase crew' tries to get all the air out of the balloon as fast as they can. (I also forgot to mention that part - while we're in the air there is a team in a truck that shadows us - like storm chasers - might be a fun job!)

By opening the flap at the top they're able to quickly dump the hot air from the balloon. Then they kind of stretch it out. If you stand in front of it you can feel the heat coming out in waves (it makes for good pictures, too).

There you have it friends. A balloon ride. An 'effin BALLOON RIDE!

What? Oh, you'd like to see more photos? No problem! There are hundreds!

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In case you'd like more Napa Love you can read about Day One and Two but clearly, I've been saving the best for last! A mini disclaimer: as I rang in The Flirty Thirty I was feeling a little uncertain about what to do with my 30x30 List. Then I thought, 'it's not over till it's over'. I've got a whole year of being thirty ahead of me folks. It's not over. Be looking for more 30x30 posts! I think the balloon ride adventures let me know that 'settling' isn't always the best option. Do more! See more! Be more!

SEA + HOU

When we left each other last I was snuggled up enjoying a London Fog. Lets catch up, shall we? Thursday (as in last Thursday) I spent the night with Cousin Rhi and her Dude. She made some delicious food. We ate cheese. We drank wine. I know, I know...you're jealous...but this, this my friends is what you should be jealous of:

There are really very few times in my life when I've been lounging on the couch in the morning and been handed a cappuccino. With frothy milk and everything. This was one of those times. See...I wasn't kidding. Jealous.

Friday morning I got back on the road. Breakfast with Canadiaunt and then back over the border.

It always blows my mind how friendly Canadian border crossing agents are in comparison to American agents. I always feel like saying, 'I'm American! Let me in! Really? You're searching my trunk?! Maybe I should turn around...'

Anywho. I was on my way to Baisey's house. I had so much fun. I played in the woods. I built fairy houses. I did some crafts. I had some Mimosas. Fun.

Is that not one of the nicest fairy houses you've ever seen?!

From Baisey's is was back to Seattle. I met up with AuntE, UncleM and CuzL for some geocaching. Ding! Ding! Ding! Yep, it's on The List! I'll go into great detail about it later. For now, rest assured....it was awesome! Here's a sneak peek:

On Sunday I went to church (cause that's what you do when your dad is a minister) and then I drove down to Olympia to visit my Step Bro, Sis and Baby M. First off, Baby M is hilarious. Like actually funny. I had so much fun just sitting on the couch listening to this kid. But guess what we did....I made them geocache with me! I think I'm addicted! Needless to say, awesomeness ensued.

Monday found the fam back in the car headed to Cle Elum. We trekked though the woods - Checked out wildflowers and got rained on - Afternoon card games in front of the fire - Bliss. Here's a rare Mountain Lady Slipper:

Then poof! Before I knew it I was flying back to Houston regrouping for my next adventure!

I had to get these gorgeous windows up on the blog. Hobby Airport you're purty.

After a few days of laying on the couch (ie 1.5) I'm gearing up for more action. I'll keep you posted friends!

Nautie Adventures :: Napa Day Two

Yes, I'm still talking about Napa! After waking up on day two slightly "under the weather" (day one was a doozy ya'll) we were moving rather slowly.

Seeing as we were in wine country we figured we'd continue visiting wineries...good plan, right?  We didn't have a tour scheduled which meant we were able to move at our own pace and pick out some wineries that particularly interested us.

First stop of the day:  Gloria Ferrer

This was a great spot.  The views were stunning.  They have caves which is cool (no pun intended) but, we didn't stick around for a cave tour.  Since this was our first tasting on our own it was a bit of a reality check.  This place was high traffic.  You basically sit down and select a flight and then a waiter brings it over.  You're not really learning about what you're drinking other than the literature provided.  It was borderline anti-climatic.  I guess I left feeling like if I went back I'd want to go on a tour where we had a private tasting and a cave tour otherwise I wouldn't really care to go back.

Second Stop:  Mumm Napa

This was my favorite stop of they day.  I loved it.  It was similar to Gloria Ferrer in that you're seated and then order a flight.  The difference?  Our waiter was engaged and interested in our tastes.  He asked us questions and then brought us tastes that may or may not have been on our original order.  The bubbly I ended up purchasing wasn't on my ordered flight.  Mumm Napa produces a Sparkling Pinot Noir and yes, it's as fabulous as it sounds.  I now know that if I want to look hoity-toity and show up at a gathering with some bubbly, I can't go wrong with Mumm Napa.  It's delish.

Third Stop of the day:  St. Supery

After our stop at Mumm Napa I didn't know where to go next so I made an emergency call to Ariel she said:  You'll Love St. Supery.  She wasn't wrong.  When you walk up to this winery all you can think is, 'wow.  this is amazing.'.  The gardens, and outdoor seating really set St. Supery apart.  Its warm and inviting, quaint yet chic, stunning while casual.  As I walked up the first thing I noticed was that a boules game was readily available.  I can't explain why but, it instantly warmed my heart.   Once inside it was like being in an art gallery.  There were so many visual appealing accents.  Simply said:  St. Supery is Gorgeous inside and out.  Plus, they make a pretty tasty Moscato!

Last Stop of the day:  Napa Cellars

My Dear Friend Jenny said, 'I'm going to be so mad at you if you don't stop at Napa Cellars!'...so we did.  Napa Cellars holds a few added bonuses:  varietals from Folie a Deux and Menage a Trois.  What I loved?  I knew their name and had maybe had some before!  Tip from Megan:  If you're going to a friends a bottle of Napa Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon will be a hit.  The winery itself was cute and they had a beautiful picnic area behind the tasting room.

Here's what I learned about tooling about on our own:

• If you are the driver:  Be careful!  Bubbly will sneak up on you!  Be responsible!
• Your car should have copious amounts of water available.  Between stops you will need refreshing.
• Pack snacks.  You will be able to purchase snacks at some wineries.  Crackers, spreads, nuts, dried fruit.  Your car or purse could easily have some heartier snacks to keep you going.
• Many wineries had amazing picnic spots.  Dining al fresco in Napa?  Ooh la la.  Pack a gourmet picnic!
• Take your time.  Feel like hanging out under a shady tree between stops?  Do it!
• Share tastings!  If you're traveling with a friend buy one tasting.  It's more than enough and will help you save a substantial amount of change.  (It will also help 'keep you in check' i.e. no one likes a sloppy wine taster!)
• This is a no brainer:  Have a budget.  How much wine do you want to take home?  Since coming home I'm sometimes hesitant to drink the wine I bought....because I don't want to 'waste' my expensive bottle.  That's not good.  How much money are you comfortable sipping away?  Stay true to your tastes and style!  (Also, use caution when you're in your cups.  Affordable becomes 'relative' as the day progresses!)

Clearly there are more photos!

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Don't be such a mermaid...

On Sunday, I stood up in front of all the BiSCuits and cried.  I had no idea why I was standing up to let out all of the feelings.....or why I was crying....until I was up there. Somewhere between going into the ugly cry and starting to talk I knew.

I was lonely.  I wanted to tell everyone how lonely I had been.

Here's how it all began:

I had been following a particular blog for years...eventually I clicked through some of her links...and then I was following other blogs that I lurved.  I mean, really and truly lurved.  These blogs were the icing on my cake.

I'd stumble into my room late at night after cargo ops.  I'd be wound up not able to sleep...knowing I needed to trust the Junior Mate on Watch....and I'd read these blogs until I could take a cat nap....knowing that I'd get at least one call before o'dark thirty and that my alarm would sound well before I was rested.

I learned things important like:  Screaming Nicki Minaj was totally allowed or, who got kicked of The Bachelorette.  I stayed in touch with the world.  What was hip?  What were people listening to on the radio?  What everyone was eating.

As I read these other blogs I learned more about myself.  I was capable, competent, and in Charge of My Reality.  I started calling the shots at work - and in my own life.

Except, somewhere along the way...

I got tired of doing things by myself all the time.

I'm an only child.  I'm programmed to do things solo.  Going to the beach with friends?  Megan's packed her coloring book, crayons and, head phones.  She would like to lie here in silence please...  Between being a lady sailor, being on the go constantly and being naturally comfortable flying solo I was constantly on my own.

Things got a little more complicated when I promoted to Chief Mate.  I hate to say something this cliche but, 'it's lonely at the top'.

People don't really want to hang out with their boss.  Not when they're signing their overtime sheets.  I don't want to have to deal with the ramifications of becoming 'overly friendly'.  When I need someone to go do something I don't want to explain myself - or be in a situation where I feel obligated to explain myself.

Plus, I'm standoffish.

Very.  I really don't mean to be.  But listen, you can only stand so many midnight watches with weirdos...there comes a time where 'polite chit-chat' is no longer in your vocabulary.  I have stood in complete silence other than to issue directions for hours.  Hours.  In awkward silence that I can 100% ignore.  Tell me that doesn't make you slightly jaded?

When I signed up for Bloggers in Sin City it was a whim.  I was in the Middle of the Atlantic and I thought, 'maybe they'll be my friends...'.  Seriously.  That's what I thought.

I was looking for something, and I didn't know what it was.

Now I know.  I now know that out on the interwebz exists a Community.  a Tribe.  a People....like me....or not like me...which makes it even better.  Fuller - Warmer - More.

There were times where I wanted to silently slip away and hope no one noticed.  There were times I was convinced no one would notice.  I was nervous.  Anxious.  Cautious.  I didn't introduce myself to everyone.  I didn't talk to nearly as many people as I wanted to. I could have put myself out there a little more.  Here's the BUT.  Every single person I had the pleasure of chatting with at BiSC blew my mind with their coolness.  They were genuinely good people who want good things for other people.  Sometimes I feel like I live in a dog eat dog world but, at BiSC I could slowly feel my guard get let down.

Thank you all for that.  Big.  HUGE.  Mahalo's.  

I heard people say BiSC has changed their lives.  I think for me it's too soon to know.  What I will say is that BiSC has heightened my awareness.  It's made me realize that a 'more' is there.  I can do more, be more, share more, laugh more, cry more and love more.  I am more of a Mermate than I ever have been before.

The next time loneliness sneaks up on me I'm going to say, 'Don't be such a mermaid!'....then I'm going to tweet some BiSCuits.

I want to remember this moment for the rest of my life...