Anchors Aweigh: Bon Voyage Celebrations before Departing on Atlantean

Adam and I departed San Pedro on December 10, 2024. We were fortunate to spend the last week in California with our parents, Adam's aunt and uncle, and one of his best friends. All of whom were immensely helpful in the final steps of moving out of our home in Torrance and preparing Atlantean for the first leg of our trip.

During the week prior to our departure, we hosted two farewell parties and were honored to be offered the opportunity to partake in a traditional Hawaiian send-off ceremony.

Hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah

The Salt Lake party was heaps of fun. It took place at the Gathering Place at Gardner Village in West Jordan, Utah. We had a somewhat pirate-themed temporary tattoo station that was a big hit with the kids and even some adults. If you know me, you know I love tattoos, so it was super fun seeing how much everyone got into it. By the end of the night, there were kids running around with their shirts off, completely covered in pirate tattoos. It was awesome.

The Gathering Place

We displayed a large world map tapestry, which Adam enjoyed marking our estimated route with pins and connecting them with string. A SpaceX display table featured Adam's collection of patches, posters, and various intriguing trinkets he accumulated over his eight years at the company. Both parties were catered by Cafe Rio, one of our favorites, and featured a Message In a Bottle station where guests could write notes, roll them up, and place them in a bottle for Adam and I to read later.

Sherry ordered custom, ocean-themed cookies in the shapes of anchors, starfish, and sailboats from Granite Bakery in Salt Lake City. They were super tasty and served as the perfect dessert for the occasion.

Granite Bakery

Decorations, minus the tattoo station and Message in a Bottle

“Family is the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights and our comfort when we occasionally falter.” — Brad Henry

Friends and Family

San Pedro Bon Voyage

Our second celebration was held at our home marina, Holiday Harbor, which features a boater's lounge with both indoor and outdoor areas. It was ideally sized for our gathering and was adorned with Christmas lights, adding a special touch.

Thanks to the gracious permission of our wonderful dock master, we were able to bring the boat up to the base of the ramp. Instead of a tattoo station, we provided tours of Atlantean. It was a delight to present our new home to our sailing community, former colleagues, and close friends.

Holiday Harbor Marina

Shout out to D&D Party Supply Rental for helping with the last bits of necessary supplies. I literally called them the day prior to the party, and they were super helpful in helping us obtain tablecloths, food warmers, etc. If you're in the San Pedro area and ever need their assistance, I highly recommend them.

D&D Party Rentals

Traditional Hawaiian Ceremony

As previously mentioned, we had the pleasure of having a fantastic dock master during our time at Holiday Harbor. Adam first met Jeff when he was looking for a home for his previous boat, Catbird, and ever since, Jeff has supported and encouraged us to continue with our sailing plans. Jeff, being from Hawaii, offered to do a Hawaiian ceremony for us before we departed.

Our third and final celebration occurred on the day we had originally planned to depart, December 9, 2024. My parents, as well as Adam's dad, left after the ceremony and were unable to see us off the next day, but it meant a lot to Adam and me that everyone was able to be there for the ceremony.

The ceremony was very special and touching. After Jeff gave a speech, he instructed our parents to put the leaves around our necks that we were supposed to wear until we took them off to tie them to the aft rails on Atlantean.

Thank you to our community, friends and family

We are immensely grateful for the number of people who supported us in the weeks leading up to our departure. The love and support from our community in Los Angeles, as well as back home in Salt Lake, are what have made this journey possible.

Every encouraging word, thoughtful message, and act of kindness has reinforced our determination and enthusiasm for this new chapter in our lives. We have been touched by the generosity displayed through gifts, advice, and the willingness of so many to lend a helping hand as we prepared for this transition. The collective support has bolstered our spirits and reminded us of the strong bonds we share with those we hold dear. It is this foundation of love and encouragement that empowers us to step into the unknown, confident that we carry a piece of our community with us wherever we go.

Acknowledgments

This was all possible thanks to our loving mothers, Angie and Sherry, whose unwavering support and dedication played a pivotal role in the success of our gatherings. Their attention to detail and heartfelt contributions ensured that our Bon Voyage parties were not just events but memorable celebrations filled with joy and warmth.

Sincere gratitude to Kipp, Alec, Steve, Sally, and Rob.

Also, a big thank you to Pam, Jackie, Jeff, Doug, Dennis, and Patty!