Every year, the month of May marks our living aboard anniversary and this year it’s been 8 years since buying and moving aboard our trawler, Blue Turtle. It’s ironic that this month Randy and I have been spent more time on land living in an Airbnb in Jacksonville so he can work at the naval base here. Land living does have it’s advantages like the extra space (and a dishwasher!) but I miss my boat. I miss the comfort of home and she is more home to me than any place I’ve lived in my adult life. She’s also what holds so many great memories from the best times in our lives.
I recently shared a post from 3 years ago, Celebrating 5 years living aboard – reflections and observations, on our Facebook page. Last week, I reread through all of our anniversary posts and this one stands out the most in terms of our experience living aboard. This lifestyle has taught us to live with less, live simpler and enjoy experiences more. This at-times spontaneous lifestyle has led us to meet so many amazing people and travel by boat to some amazing places around Florida and the Keys. We are grateful to have chosen this live aboard lifestyle and the wonderful memories it has brought us so far.
Past living aboard anniversary posts
- Celebrating 7 years living aboard our trawler
- Blue Turtle crew celebrates 6 years living aboard
- Celebrating 5 years living aboard – reflections and observations
- Four years living aboard!
- Third year living aboard recap
- Celebrating 2 years of living aboard
- Celebrating 1 year living aboard!
Below are some images of memorable times over the last 8 years of living aboard. We hope you enjoy them.
Living at “Blue Turtle Bay Marina on Old Hickory Lake (Tennessee River) near Nashville on my Carver 300 (30′) aft cabin. After my wife passed in 2017, I left NY to take a position at the Nashville Zoo, started in an apartment, paying $1,100 a month. Decided I wanted to be on the water (lifelong dream) and bought my Carver to live on. Love it, looking for a little bigger Carver before I take it down the Tenn. River and out to the gulf heading towards SW Florida to rent a slip and retire. I lived in Florida for 14 years, Miami/Ft. Laud. and then 10 years in Orlando. My dad had a house on the Homosassa river, what do you like better, Central West Coast or Southern West Coast for slips…price difference?