Floating Through Life

Roger Coderre, 42, soaks up some rays while his solar panel does the same. His sailboat is 100% energy efficient. It has a battery bank that is charged by the sun and the wind. Solar panels and wind generators are not essential, but for individuals who live out in Bellingham Bay, they are a nice feature.

Coderre pulls his skiff out to a buoy with a pulley system. All the live-aboards in front of Boulevard Park follow the same procedure to keep the beach free of dinghies.

Coderre's vessel is currently named Seabird but he announced that he will be changing it to Anthropophagi. An evil grin came across his face when he described what the term meant. " An Anthropophagi is a mystical species that eats it's own kind. Muahahahahahaha!" he said.




Coddere's sailboat is heated by a wood-stove that he installed earlier this year. Dead wood scattered about the train-tracks keeps the vessel nice and cozy on cold days. Coderre and his Pit-bull, Abbie Normal, live off the grid in what has been dubbed, "free bay," by Bellingham locals. Although his driveway requires him to oar his way home, he say's he's very comfortable.

A Winning Smile

This shot was taken as a photojournalism assignment. The idea was to photograph a stranger and ask them what they would never eat again.

Bernard Ikegwuoha, 24, smiles at passersby while they enter Red Square in the spring sunshine.

Someone asked if Ikegwuoha was hot in his suit. He replied, “No man, I’m from Africa!”

Ikegwuoha will never eat chocolate again. He tried it as a child when he lived in Nigeria. He said he used to like it, but now that he is in America, it just doesn’t taste good.

An Evening You Could Eat

Boulevard Park at dusk. The oil tanker in the distance had been anchored out in free bay for a few weeks during last summer. (2009)

Andres Vega Aboard The Orient

Andres Vega, 35 atop his full keel ocean cruiser, The Orient. When the Orient is ready for the sea, Vega will sail her down to Mexico and start his own charter business.