Family Time

Family Time

The hardest part of going long distance cruising is missing our family and friends back home. Sharry and I have spent most of the COVID years in Hawaii, which has made visiting our two sons, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter particularly difficult. When our son Brooke, his wife Shannon, and our granddaughter Kat expressed interest in joining us in Japan for spring break, we were thrilled!

They arrived in Fukuoka after a long travel day from Seattle. The first hugs for Grandma were particularly special!

Hugs for Mom!

We last saw Brooke, Shannon, and Kat in Seattle this past March, but had been a couple of years since they were last on board Starr. It was so nice to have them back aboard.

We arranged for Kat to meet Yuma-chan, an 14yr old Japanese girl who spoke English.

The girls went to Nobolt, an athletic activities center which included rock climbing walls and an indoor zipline and burnt off some excess energy. Watching Kat play with a new friend was enjoyable.


Kat high up


Shannon and Kat on ferris wheel in Fukuoka

Kat is 12 years old and is interested in all things related to anime and gaming. She really enjoyed using her new iPad (our birthday present to her) to pass the “boring” time aboard.

After spending time in Fukuoka, we ran through the Kanmon Kaikyo passage into the Seto Inland Sea to Miyajima.


Starr at Miyajima with torii gate

Kat loves Japanese food. No Kraft dinner and hotdogs for her! Sushi, sashimi, tako (octopus)…she loves it all, just like her grandpa! She wandered around each day at Miyajima, mixing visits to cultural sites with trips to food stalls.

Brooke helping Sharry with her stretches…it’s been a long winter in Seattle for Brooke’s legs!

Sharry has been taking the Fukuoka doctor’s recommended steroid prescription and now can walk up to 7000 steps. Brooke was very helpful with her exercises. Hopefully this sciatica will resolve itself over time so more complex treatment will not be necessary.

Kat and Grandma at the Miyajima Aquarium

We took Kat to the Miyajima Aquarium one day. We all enjoyed watching porpoise show. We also enjoyed the sea lion. We haven’t seen seals or sea lions in the wild since arriving in Japan.


Daddy’s girl

Brooke is an excellent chef and he cooked all our meals on board. We’d visited Costco in Fukuoka to stock up for the trip. The chuck roast was like a tenderloin in the USA.

Their seven days aboard flew by. Time for them to go to Tokyo for more exciting experiences for a few days before returning to Seattle.

We miss them already and we’re really hoping they can join us in Alaska later this summer!

8 Comments
  • Beverley Desmarais
    Posted at 05:54h, 23 April Reply

    Nothing like family time! What a great memory.

  • Luuk Oleson
    Posted at 06:33h, 23 April Reply

    How absolutely wonderful for you to have Brooke and his family vist. Hope they join you in Alaska! How can they not? You don’t get many invitations like that.

  • Chris Clothier
    Posted at 06:40h, 23 April Reply

    So delightful to see you all together !

  • Jack Peters
    Posted at 08:51h, 23 April Reply

    Fine Five Flourishing Afloat & Ashore

    Domo arigatou for sharing your joy !

  • Milt & Judy Baker
    Posted at 12:35h, 23 April Reply

    What a great Stabbert family rendezvous . . .the smiles in your pictures say it all! And something we all know about grat cruising boats like Starrr–no matter where you are with your boat, you’re at home.

  • Mike and Colleen
    Posted at 15:10h, 23 April Reply

    Family, the best!

  • Frank and Carlene
    Posted at 23:21h, 23 April Reply

    Great memories.

  • Karen Sakuma
    Posted at 00:11h, 06 June Reply

    Kat is such a beautiful young lady. . So glad
    For all of you in this family reunion. Hula lessons with Grandma S in Honolulu seem like yesterday. Hope there are many more handholding moments and hugs around..
    love watching all the Stabbert adventures.
    Thank you for including us.and sharing your journey. I am grateful and send wishes for
    Safe travels and more fun and “Starr”adventure.

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