Countdown to Departure: Four Days Until We Leave on the Great Siberian Sushi Run
Last-Minute Cleaning and a Surprise Visitor
It’s 6:30 at night and I’ve just finished scrubbing both the upper and lower aft decks—and power washing the carpet up top. Why? Because tomorrow morning at 9:30, we have a reporter coming aboard Tangaroa to do a story about our upcoming adventure: The Great Siberian Sushi Run.
And honestly? I think it’s a pretty good story.
I sent out a media release explaining that this trip is part of a healing journey for me. After 20 years in policing and being diagnosed with PTSD, heading north with Blaine and Izzie is more than just travel—it’s about reclaiming peace. The reporter wants to film an interview, take some pictures, and even include Izzie… which might be the hardest part. Getting her out of bed in the morning?
That’s going to be the real story.
The Art of Provisioning (And What We Can’t Leave Behind)
Getting ready to leave Canada takes more than just fueling up.
We’ve been deep in provisioning mode—stocking up on essentials we know we won’t find in Alaska, Siberia, or Japan. I’m talking about:
- Red Rose Tea (I drink at least three cups a day)
- Blaine’s Level Ground Trading Coffee
- Maggie’s Bosley’s dog food
Every morning lately has involved supply runs. We’ve been stashing dry goods at the house and organizing like mad… but haven’t brought anything onto the boat yet. Why?
Because we’ve still got a Bon Voyage party happening on the 5th.
Party Supplies First—Groceries Later
Until the party is over, we’re only loading the essentials. And by essentials, I mean:
- Two garbage bags full of chips
- A mountain of soda
- A couple of kegs from Category 12 Brewing (Blaine’s favourite)
We’re going to miss that brewery.
Okay—he’s going to miss it. I don’t drink beer. I’m a Straight & Narrow girl—local gin-based cocktails in a can. I’ll definitely miss those, but I’m sneaking a couple cases onboard for when we head north.
Blaine, on the other hand, will really miss his beloved Juicy Data. So having a keg on board for the send-off? Perfect.
YouTube Never Stops
Even with everything going on, we’re still filming and editing. YouTube is our livelihood now, and we’ve got videos that need to go out.
Tomorrow at 10am, we’re dropping a new Your Questions Answered video on our Never-Ending Sea Trial channel. It’s ready to publish—we recorded it—but I haven’t started editing yet.
Good thing I’m getting faster.
We’re also putting out our regular Wheelhouse Weekly episodes for our online crew. That community has kept us going through thick and thin. It feels weird to say I have an “online crew,” but it’s true—and it’s amazing.
The Crew is Gathering
People are already starting to arrive.
Just an hour ago, Naughty Girl cruised by. Adam and Haïoff waved as they headed into Todd Inlet to anchor for the party. My Uncle Chuck is coming down from Squamish on White Knight, the boat he’s lived on for nearly 40 years. Mariner’s Compass (Brian and Rosie) is inbound. So is Tonka—a boat crewed by subscribers we’ve never met, but I’m excited to.
And my sister Krista and Dave are already here on Our Time.
That’s four—maybe five—boats already. And more coming.
The Pressure of Hosting
I’d love to say I’m calm and collected, but I’m not.
It’s not the logistics that stress me out—it’s making sure everyone has a good time. My counselor tells me that’s my PTSD talking. I tend to catastrophize: Everyone’s going to hate the party. It’s going to suck. They’re all going to leave.
I know that’s not true. But it feels true in the moment.
Still, I’m also excited. Hosting this send-off means a lot.
Tangaroa Is Still a Work in Progress
Let’s be honest—we’re not leaving with a finished boat. On the 6th, we’ll be loading up the last of our materials: wood, insulation, metal. And then on the 7th of July, we cast off.
Once we’re away from the mooring, away from Blaine’s business and the hustle of wrapping up side jobs, we’ll finally have time.
- Time to work on the boat.
- Time to make new videos.
- Time to just be together.
Four Days to Go
As I sit here looking at the calendar magnet on the fridge, I’m counting down.
Four days.
Four days to finish what we can.
Four days to soak up the last bits of home.
Four days until we drop the dock lines and go.
Wish us luck!
Blaine and Janis