A short history of SV Companion -
In April of 2005, Kim and I signed an agreement to purchase a Leopard Catamaran and place it in the Moorings Charter Program for 5 years.

Buying the last 40' Catamaran built in 2005 by Robinson and Caine of South Africa, the boat was to be chartered in Placencia, Belize. It arrived in Belize in late November, and was used by Moorings Chartering until June of 2010. During that time, we were able to sail our boat many times, and have a few charters in other parts of the world; LaPaz Mexico, Abaco Bahama, British Virgin Islands, Nice France, Gocek Turkey (Turquoise Coast).

Max , our nephew and his dad, Mike will be joining, Kim and I for part of the voyage. We are also looking forward to meeting family and friends along the way.

Our blog is intended to share our journey, memories and information to sailors.

Enjoy, Dale & Kim

PS: 10 years after the start of our voyage, we are living in LaConner with SV Companion and the adventure continues.











Saturday, February 15, 2020

2018

2018

Love sharing the news of our third grandchild – Jude Andrew Kappler was born on May 2, 2018.
Theo is an incredible big brother and we are thrilled to have another little boy to love on !

A whirlwind is all we can say about 2018 – Kim traveled throughout the United States and British Columbia on behalf of AIFD.  Highlights – Vancouver, Philadelphia Flower Show, California, Missouri, North Carolina, Washington DC and to Indianapolis for the FFA Floriculture National competition – Plus a few other cities and flower shows.

June sailing in the San Juans – Companion was a wonderful haven for Kim to rest and for Dale to feel the wind at his back!  In September we shared her with Bud and Sue and enjoyed a week in the San Juans and at one of our favorite anchorages – Sucia Island.  We knew this year would not be a sailing year but the time we had on her was exactly what we needed!

AIFD was in Washington DC  - Kim fulfilled her obligation as President of the Association.  It was a wonderful symposium that embraced all that her committees had envision  - goals set three years prior were accomplished.  An incredibly positive experience for Kim, Dale and AIFD.

The end of July took us back across the pond.  Spent a relaxed week with Steve and Wendy exploring some new sites (Charles Darwin’s Home & Winston Churchill Home) before taking the fast train to Paris where we meet Nancy and Doug for a birthday wine/food/art/music/ scenic, Paris and a week barge trip down (which was north up) the Yonne River.  What a delightful gastronomical, history and wine immersion, with daily relaxing bicycle rides along the canal. 
A once in a lifetime experience!
 














Dale at the helm of a 1917 barge " L'ART DE VIVRE" (over 100 ft long) on the Yonne Canal.
An experience we will cherish for the rest of our lives. (Pictured above left shows how little room on each side of the barge in the locks)


Home in time for another family wedding – Scott and Kathy married in the country outside of Chicago.  Scott’s godmother had a ball designing all the florals for their special day!  To see Kim’s passion as she shares her passion is a unique experience – her heart is big!

The Fall was sorrowful … watching our sweet loving Mom become fragile was difficult.  She lost her battle on November 10th.  Her legacy is strong – sharing her faith to the last moments and loving on her family – we gain strength from her memory.  Miss her every day!

As most of you know – Kim has always loved the Tournament of Roses Parade (instilled by her Mom’s love for it).  In March we had the biggest secret to keep – Kim was invited to be one of the three Judges for the Rose Parade.  What an honor … in September we could share the secret.  Mom knew and “was all about it!”  So we were treated to another once in a lifetime opportunity as guests of the Tournament of Roses. Kim “worked” and Dale enjoyed the benefits!  Two days of full on judging, cocktail party, gala evening, 4am wake up call for Parade morning, best seats in the house for the Parade, fabulous tailgate party and then 50 yard line seats for the Rose Bowl Game (the grand daddy of them all!) It was a first class week.  Kim smiled so much her face hurt!

 
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