Gusty winds. Cool mornings. New friends. And a motor that finally lifts. My first week-long cruise of 2026 was an adventure I won't soon forget.

This is me, I'm smiling for the camera but in reality that's not how I actually felt.

I braced for chaos. Instead? Sun, thunder, rain, then sun again — and nothing went seriously wrong. My first shakedown cruise was uneventful. And that was everything.

The 2026 sailing season is almost upon us here in Atlantic Canada. Like most boats, Gypsy Wind and I are starting to prep, slowly, messily, and with duct tape nearby. My 2026 dreams and schemes are already swirling in my head. But before the real work begins, here's a bare-bones, no-frills tour of her interior. A little sneak peek at the "before" — the projects I've got planned for this year.

From trying to be invisible at work to finding my voice at the helm. How sailing with other women gave me confidence, friendship, and a place to belong.

A misty morning. A paddle to Pine Island. A severed bird leg on the shore. What I found there became more than a mystery. It became a reminder that not every secret needs to be solved. Some are just meant to be witnessed.