Coming home today was when it became really real – when I took the first load out of my car and headed up to my office, understanding that I will never again have to “leave”. … Read More
Remembering My Father
Phil C Woolwine August 19, 1936 – March 24, 2017 My father died Friday before last, and I am now just getting the time and wherewithal to write about him. This is a personal memorial, … Read More
SU Highlight: Raven’s Backyard Arts in Nature Series
What is your connection to Nature? Do you occasionally go to the beach? Enjoy the view, the sand between your fingers and toes, wade in the water, poke a starfish. Maybe you enjoy hiking. The ... Read More
SU Highlight: Sailing Essentials
This post addresses all four central goals of Shearwater University: To increase the skills, safety and enjoyment of boaters on the Salish Sea To deepen the individual connection with the natural world we enjoy To ... Read More
Anacortes Spring Boat Show
April 8-10, 2016 10:00 am - 5:00 pm daily Cap Sante Boat Haven 1019 Q Avenue, Anacortes, WA The history of marine culture and industry run deep in Anacortes. And that culture and industry ... Read More
The Tragedy of the Leviathan II
It has given me heart-ache ever since the incident - every time I think about it. It was in SO MANY WAYS preventable. The news announcement came jarringly on October 25, 2015: A popular whale-watching ... Read More
What is Raven’s Backyard?
Okay, three schools of Shearwater University can be basically understood in two words each: Sailing School, Kayaking School, and Navigation School. But what is Raven’s Backyard??? Raven’s Backyard is actually one of the significant roots ... Read More
SU Highlight: Navigation Essentials
What every mariner needs. I don’t care if you are propelling a 12-foot row boat or a 70-foot mega-yacht. You can’t even get out of the harbor safely without some foundational knowledge about navigation, let ... Read More
Kayaking Tragedy at Dungeness Spit
I like paddling all through the winter. Some of my most beautiful paddles have been in a December or a February. Two things you get used to from habitual winter paddling are: 1) you ALWAYS ... Read More