We Return!

Well, hello again! I think this break between posts has been the longest since we've started the blog!  Yikes.  We really let it go.

Since we put Rabannah away last October we've been working with Vertical Solutions, building rock climbing walls, to replenish our bank account.  We spent a month in Chicago,  a few weeks in Eugene, and managed to sneak in a quick trip to Salt Lake, Vegas and Joshua Tree.

Enjoying a chilly, blustery day off in Chigago. 

Putting the finishing touches on BKB Chicago.

Bouldering in Little Cottonwood Canyon outside of Salt Lake City.

Cody sending Huge (v9).

Beautiful weather and scenery in Joshua Tree National Park.

And abundant wildlife!  We would hear coyotes singing every night. 

Scrambling around.  

Cody demonstrates proper Off-width Technique on Hobbit Hole (v1).

Beth working on The Chube, v2.

Christmas on Bainbridge. 

A quiet New Year's Eve at home. 

 Then it was back home to Seattle for Christmas and New Years', and then we headed to New York City.  We spent three full months living in Manhattan, and working in Long Island City on a new climbing gym.  

Cody at work.  

If you look closely, you can just see the Empire State Building in the background!

Cody and I, along with some of our co-workers/roommates, set out on a mission to find the best New York Style Cheesecake in the city.  It was a grueling task, but someone had to do it.  There were many contenders, but we, nearly unanimously, declare the cheesecake from the Two Little Red Hens Bakery on the upper east side- 86th Street and 2nd Ave, to be precise-  to be the best.  Tangy and not too sweet, with a perfect, almost burnt crust that lent a caramel flavor...  Mm.  My mouth waters just thinking about it!

Doing Research.  

I was lucky to spend my birthday in the City this year.  Cody and my wonderful parents conspired to get us a pair of tickets to see Aladdin on Broadway.  We had fantastic seats, and were just swept away into the (fictional) land of Agrabah.  One of my better birthdays, to be sure, and I've had some doozies!

My date for a delicious birthday dinner. 

So Excited!! 

Once we returned to the West Coast, it was all hands on deck preparing Rabannah for launch.  We worked through long to-do lists, and finally splashed down on April the 29th. 

The calm without....

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And chaos within!

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Scrounging for deals at a Marine Swap Meet. 

Putting a fresh coat of paint on the topsides. 

 The last coat got a bit banged up through her cross country journey, and during dinghy-bumper R&D.  

On the move...

 Watching 'bannah's keel kiss the cold, salty, Sound as she was lowered sent a delicious shiver up my spine.  

Yesssss.  

We're BACK!  

Clear skies for our first sail of the season! 

Light airs leaving Quartermaster Harbor.

Anchored in Tramp Harbor, Vashon Island. 

At home.  

Morning bird-watching.

A brisk up-wind romp to Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island!  

I promise we'll update more often now that we're back on the water, but for the moment, we're leaving Rabannah once again- for a quick trip South.  A visit with family in Oregon, a wedding in California, and a much belated visit back to our beloved Yosemite Valley await!