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2018-08 Farewell to Cruising

I’ve been procrastinating on this post for a very long time!

January marked the end of a major chapter in our lives when we accepted an offer to sell Shear Madness. It was with mixed emotions that we handed her over to her new owners, a wonderful family who will continue to show her great adventures under her new name, Alchemy.

After spending much of the past 15 years cruising on Shear Madness –  7 years on our Oyster 56 foot sailboat and 8 years as full time liveaboard cruisers on our Nordhavn – we were ready for a change. It’s impossible to describe the lifestyle we’ve enjoyed over these years, the places we’ve seen, and the people we’ve met. We’ll miss that.

But we are looking forward to enjoying the next part of our lives in the mountains, with more of a chance to visit our land-based friends and family. We enjoyed a great ski season over the winter and in July bought a house in north Colorado Springs. We’re settling in and have plenty of room for visitors. It’s a beautiful area and the adventurous spirit of Colorado really suits us.

Over the coming months, we’ll publish some highlights from our cruising days, but for now here are just a few photos, grouped by year but not necessarily in chronological order.

This entry was posted on August 29, 2018, 11:30 am and is filed under Trips. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  1. #1 by Ole Kristoffersen on September 13, 2018 - 4:51 am

    Enjoy your new life, i will miss your videos from all your wonderful trips.I follow your trips all the way and watch it over and over again many times Hope you will enjoy beautiful Colorado. Good luck to you and your family.

    Ole Kristoffersen, Norway

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  2. #2 by Henry Steinhauer on September 3, 2018 - 11:04 am

    Thanks for the recap. What a great selection of pictures. I recall many of those pictures from your posts.

    Thanks for sharing your adventures with all of us.

    Henry & Karen Steinhauer – – I remember all the interactions we had from the CMG days and Guide. Those are great memories.

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  3. #3 by mikedanielsco@aol.com on September 3, 2018 - 6:11 am

    Kathy,

    A chapter ends of great adventure for you and Bradley!

    I have loved following your adventures! You did the right thing !

    Welcome to our Colorado.

    Enjoy your new Paradise.

    We are sitting in a tiny airport in the Lofoten Islands of Norway waiting to go to Oslo after another amazing hiking trip here.

    Best to you both.

    Mike

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  4. #4 by Carole Lassiter on August 30, 2018 - 9:33 pm

    You have a place to stay if you come back to NC. Hope to see you!

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  5. #5 by georgesmart60 on August 30, 2018 - 7:09 pm

    Dear Kathy, I have enjoyed watching your journeys on Shear Madness, Aptly named I thought, and would like to wish you all the best in this next phase of your lives together. God Bless you both and may you have a long and happy time in the mountains of Colorado. George Smart

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  6. #6 by Briavael Cianelli on August 30, 2018 - 5:50 pm

    I’ll never forget the wonderful time you showed us in the Bahamas. The trip of a lifetime for us! Things change sometimes, and I wish you all the best in your new endeavors!

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  7. #7 by MATTERN, Ginny on August 29, 2018 - 9:22 pm

    Congratulations and I hope your next life phase is as happy as the past. Colorado Springs is lovely (my sister lived in Denver and we also went to Colorado Springs for Air Force work). FYI, within the next year, I’ll be completely calling it quits at LMI so I’m trying to transfer all of my personal email to: ginsternb@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing about life in Colorado, so please update my email address.

    Ginny

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  8. #8 by Nora Whynacht on August 29, 2018 - 6:42 pm

    I can see why you procrastinated! What an amazing chronicle of photos, incredible moments captured through your journey. I would imagine your next “. trip “through life will also be special .

    Love your East Coasters, Nora and Ron

    >

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  9. #9 by GEORGE VANISH on August 29, 2018 - 4:52 pm

    Glad to hear you are doing well and settled in a place that you like. Thanks for the PIX’S,,,, George George R. Vanish GVANISH@YAHOO.COM

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  10. #10 by Glen Peters on August 29, 2018 - 4:49 pm

    I have followed your travels on Shear Madness for many years and I must admit that there was not one that I didn’t watch more than two or three times (and occasionally much more), I will miss your posts, your videos and your unique character and style. Thank-you for all that you have shared, good luck and good fortune on your new future adventures.

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  11. #11 by Anonymous on August 29, 2018 - 3:26 pm

    Congrats on your change of life. Have always enjoyed the pics. Ron Colby

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  12. #12 by Darin Denzler on August 29, 2018 - 3:08 pm

    Love the photos!

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  13. #13 by Arthur Allen on August 29, 2018 - 2:35 pm

    New chapters have to be treated as good things for how else will we find the good? Good luck. Look for the next posting from Colorado Springs.

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  14. #14 by Stan Krejci on August 29, 2018 - 2:15 pm

    Great summary! A new chapter beginning. Stan

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  15. #15 by jeff w marcon on August 29, 2018 - 2:04 pm

    Kathy, Thank you again for posting your incredible travels.. I have enjoyed your blog ever since I first layed eyes on Sheer Madness in the Solomons Island harbour some 8-9 years ago. I know SM was an incredible part of your life and am sorry to see you both part ways. Congrats on the Colorado move and best of luck in your future endeavors.

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  16. #16 by goforthhatteras53 on August 29, 2018 - 1:53 pm

    Kathy!!gre

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  17. #17 by ideamtn on August 29, 2018 - 12:57 pm

    Hi Kathy,I wondered where you’d landed and I’m thrilled you’ve settled near Colorado Springs. Gary’s daughter and her family live in Castle Rock so maybe we’ll get a chance to see you and Bradley when we return to the area.Glad to hear things are well with you. Enjoy your new home and all those lovely mountains.Fondly,Patti

    Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

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  18. #18 by GEORGE DISHMAN on August 29, 2018 - 12:45 pm

    Kathy,

    What amazing photos and memories you have made over the years. My personal favorites would have to be Greenland and Labrador, although it is hard to decide as they are all wonderful.

    We’ll try and figure out a way to come up and see you guys when next we are in Red River – it’s just a few hours away!

    NFL – what’s that? 🙂

    Peace, George

    George Dishman

    Tel (direct): +1 214.341.1012 Tel (mobile) +1 214.505.9457 GDishman@swbell.net

    Among the things you can give and still keep are your words, your smile and a grateful heart. Zig Ziglar

    This communication contains information that may be privileged, confidential and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the information contained herein (including any reliance thereon) is strictly prohibited. If you received this transmission in error, please immediately contact the sender and delete this communication. Thank you.

    >

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  19. #19 by Carol Trautschold on August 29, 2018 - 12:39 pm

    Dear Kathy,

    I wish you and Bradley all the best as you move into a new phase in your lives. Colorado Springs is a great area and you are perfectly located for more adventures.

    Thanks for all the beautiful descriptions of your adventures and the great photos.

    Carol

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  20. #20 by Mike Eiffert on August 29, 2018 - 12:32 pm

    But what a great adventure it has been for you both. You will love Colorado. Regards, Mike

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  21. #21 by Adie Coy on August 29, 2018 - 12:31 pm

    Great pictures and wonderful memories. I will miss reading about your adventures on the former “Good Life”
    Adie

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  22. #22 by Greg Young on August 29, 2018 - 12:13 pm

    Kathy:

    Pictures look wonderful. Exciting times. FYI, I published my first book. See http://www.dmrosewood.com. My author website.

    All the best,

    Greg

    >

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  23. #23 by jackhughes@starpower.net on August 29, 2018 - 11:55 am

    Kathy, CONGRATS on the next chapter in your lives!!!!!!!! jack

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  24. #24 by renateallan@ozemail.com.au on August 29, 2018 - 11:54 am

     

    Hello, I have just been to Colorado Springs. My granddaughter lives there with her Husband and my 2 year old great-grandson.Love it there! Love RenateI am in the US at the moment, just arrived from Germany yesterday afternoon.Love Renate xoxoxo

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  25. #25 by Kathleen Haeberle on August 29, 2018 - 11:51 am

    Thank you so much for taking us along on your travels. We have enjoyed living the boating life through you. I will miss getting the updates and photos but wish you the best of luck on your new adventures.

    May your new adventures be even more fun than your past adventures.

    Fred Haeberle, Fresno, Ca.

    >

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