For so long we had wondered what it would be like to depart our slip with no plan or intention of returning; to motor out of Shoreline Marina, raise the sails and sail out of Long Beach Harbor without any requirement to return. And then today we did it.

Our first stop will be Shelter Island, San Diego for some minor work by the fine folks at Rigworks, then on to Ensenada Baja California Norte, to clear into Mexico.

We hauled out in July to get some new insurance coverage past the edge of the known world (Rio Santo Tomas) and we had running backstays fitted after the advice of some of the good folk on the Valiant owner’s blog and reading Robert Perry’s thoughts (he designed our boat).

Not much of a trip but every journey begins with a first step. And it feels pretty good to finally step out on this one.