This morning’s walk down the dock was perfect for quiet observation. Still, crisp, cold. The dock was frosty and the winter sunrise was far south. The water was flat and formed a mirror for the sky.

It was a little difficult to leave the toasty warm boat, but Rex needed his morning walk. As I walked down the dock, I reflected on our neighbors. It’s a wonderfully eclectic mix. Liveaboards are an independent lot and the only commonality is they are more rugged, self reliant and friendlier than your average set of neighbors. ‘Uptight’ would not be an adjective for any of them. But there are vast differences between them.

Towards the end of the dock is a couple who have sailed their boat extensively in the south seas. A little closer is a fellow whose boat hasn’t left the dock in years. Very likely it couldn’t leave the dock under its own power. Near him is a storied captain who has a fleet of boutique cruise ships that ply the inside passage with adventure cruises.

Further down the dock is a younger couple with long range cruising plans, but their short range plans are best typified by the fact that on this beautiful morning, their slip is empty. They saw a good weather forecast and took advantage of it.

A few crunchy steps later and there are 3 liveaboards on sailboats that more or less box the compass on the liveaboard lifestyle. Friends all, one is the sparkplug for parties. He certainly uses his own boat, but spends a fair amount of time racing, crewing on other boats. Next door, is a couple that cruise quite a bit and have grander plans to take the ‘big left turn’ in a couple of years. Across the dock is the third liveaboard who hasn’t taken his boat north of Edmonds.

Closer in are more liveaboards. A pilot. Another couple with ‘big left turn’ plans.

Further down an entrepreneur who can often be found making sales deals while out on his aft deck.

The ‘big left turn’ is topic never far from the surface. It refers to going out the straits of Juan de Fuca and then turning left. Towards Mexico. Towards the South Pacific. Towards the Panama Canal. Towards warmth and the South Seas. Quite a few of the liveaboards have big left turn plans.

One has only to go up to the local business that supports the needs of liveaboards which include mail forwarding for those on long journeys to see just how many sailors have used Shilshole as a spring board for their own ‘big left turn’ plans. The owner has a world map of all the cruisers she supports – and there are thumb tacks tracking their progress. The South Pacific and Mexico are well represented. A few in the Caribbean. A couple in the Mediterranean. All starting from the coast of Ballard.

All these thoughts occurred on the walk down the dock early this morning. A great way to start the day.