David and Cathy Dieter's Journey
Orion Under Sail in Bahamas
In 2006, in a move that surprised most of our friends and family, we began a new adventure in our lives. After graduating from college and immediately beginning to work while raising a family, it was time to try something new. We bought a 1999 Beneteau 36CC sailboat, Orion, and began cruising full time on her. Starting in the Chesapeake Bay and moving farther afield as we gained experience and confidence, we eventually traveled much of the East Coast, going north to Massachusetts and south to the Bahamas and the Florida Keys. Although initially we only committed to sailing for one year, it was a pretty easy decision to continue year after year, since we enjoyed it so much.
However, by 2011, we were ready for a change. We weren’t ready to head back to land, but instead opted to try outfitting a smaller sailboat for cruising. We found a 1976 Columbia T26 sailboat, which we named Orion Jr. She had a shallower draft (2-1/2ft) that would let her take us into waters Orion’s 5.2 ft would find much too skinny. As a trailerable sailboat, we could move from one cruising area to another at 60mph, instead of 6 knots, extending our cruising range. After a season of trying her out, we decided it was time to commit to cruising on Jr, which meant selling Orion which we did late in 2016.
However, by 2011, we were ready for a change. We weren’t ready to head back to land, but instead opted to try outfitting a smaller sailboat for cruising. We found a 1976 Columbia T26 sailboat, which we named Orion Jr. She had a shallower draft (2-1/2ft) that would let her take us into waters Orion’s 5.2 ft would find much too skinny. As a trailerable sailboat, we could move from one cruising area to another at 60mph, instead of 6 knots, extending our cruising range. After a season of trying her out, we decided it was time to commit to cruising on Jr, which meant selling Orion which we did late in 2016.
Camping in "RV Orion" in the hills above Valdez, Alaska
Then in 2015, we got a call from friends asking if we wanted to take a trip with them to Alaska. That meant changing gears once again, buying a fifth wheel that we could use for land cruising. We settled on a 25ft Puma, and outfitted her for the trip. In the meantime, we began learning about a new community that lives, volunteers and vacations as they travel by road. In 2020, we upgraded to a new Cougar 25ft fifth wheel (not any longer than the Puma, but with some really comfortable chairs).
So, thanks to this website, this part of our life’s journey will not go undocumented. (We publish regular log updates for those interested in following us on our on-going adventure.) It began on the Chesapeake Bay, has followed us south to the Bahamas and north to Alaska, but who knows where it will take us before it is over
So, thanks to this website, this part of our life’s journey will not go undocumented. (We publish regular log updates for those interested in following us on our on-going adventure.) It began on the Chesapeake Bay, has followed us south to the Bahamas and north to Alaska, but who knows where it will take us before it is over
