Ok, we’re finally here. Wow. Deep breaths. Time to hustle and get some errands done before the rain comes!

First things first… Get a month’s worth of garbage and recycle OFF the boat!!!

We are back on Vancouver Island, and I can FINALLY get this garbage off my boat.

Garbage is something easily overlooked by people who haven’t done remote cruising. I think about how to handle waste a looooot. And I’ve gotten pretty good at minimizing the smells.

well in advance (while I’m purchasing food in the store) I purposely choose foods that have minimal packaging or certain kinds of packaging.

Ramen is a good example… I would never get cup-o-noodles, because the cup takes up too much space and would smell. But I’ll totally get the ramen packaged in the plastic bag for a quick, warm lunch option.

I also ‘process’ purchased groceries to minimize smells.. this might mean I’m taking things out of their packaging and placing them in my own Ziploc bags. Every item is considered on how best to store it. It’s exhausting. But it’s just part of this life.

While we are remote, we don’t put any food scraps into our garbage. We keep a small bin on the counter and toss scraps overboard when we are in deep, fast moving channels (not at anchorage).

I could go on and on about garbage… Just know that it’s a crucial part of being remote for long periods of time. We don’t get the luxury of a big bin and trash pickup every Weds or whatever land life used to give us.

I also did 2 loads of laundry. It was inexpensive at this marina only $2/wash and $2/dry and I wish I had done more… But it is what it is.

I found an amazing book store. Blue Heron Books. I got several foraging books I’m really excited about.

I also went grocery shopping. Felt good to buy a loaf of sourdough bread! It’s been… Idk.. 4-5 weeks without it as an option. Yum yum yum.

It’s not a necessity… Absolutely not. But I think of things that you just… Enjoy. And think of not being able to have them. It’s so nice when you do get to have them again, right?

Rachel smiling on the dock carrying a large garbage bag and orange duffel after a month of remote cruising in Comox

Three bags of garbage and recycling plus a duffel bag lined up on the cockpit seat ready to go ashore

Inside a large grocery store in Comox Valley restocking provisions after weeks of remote cruising