The season finale of Untie The Lines Season 7 went live last weekend, and I finally caught up to Nike with my posts. What a ride this past year has been!
A year ago, Nike and I casually discussed the idea of sailing together and perhaps shooting one or two videos for her channel. I liked that idea; I’ve always enjoyed storytelling and occasionally filmed my own adventures, but I usually struggled to shape the raw footage into a cohesive narrative. Collaborating with Nike presented an opportunity to learn, and it felt promising.
Fast forward to today, and we’ve shared an incredible amount of time, travel, emotions, and new projects. It feels as though this journey has elevated both of us to new levels, and I’m genuinely excited about everything yet to come.
Real-Time Update: Anchored in Melilla, Africa
Before diving into the video, let me share a quick real-time update. Last week, we sailed to Africa and are currently anchored in Melilla, a Spanish town located on the Moroccan coast. The experience was surreal—sailing to another continent without anyone asking where we were coming from, what we intended to do, or where we planned to go next.
Over the past few days, we’ve been trying to untangle the paperwork requirements for bringing our dog into Moroccan waters. Government websites seem to be down, and the information we’ve found elsewhere is conflicting. Local veterinarians have provided yet another set of differing guidelines. As far as we can tell by now, we only need standard vaccination and registration papers. I suppose we’ll know for sure once we arrive!
Melilla itself is a partially beautiful place, blending old Spanish architecture with the charm of an ancient fortress. The relaxed mix of Spanish and Moroccan cultures here adds a unique charm. For now, it looks like we’ll spend a few more days exploring Melilla before sailing onward to El Hoceima.
About the Video: Wrapping Up the Sea of Cortez Journey
This finale marks the last video we filmed in the Sea of Cortez. Our final stop on the Baja California side was in Loreto, where we prepared for the big crossing. We then sailed across the bay to reach our ultimate destination in Guaymas, where Karl was hauled out and prepped for the journey back to Europe.
An incredible 1,600 nautical miles lie behind us, and I couldn’t be more grateful—for the breathtaking beauty of nature, the unforgettable experiences, and the companionship that made it all the more special. Yet, the best part of it all? This was just the beginning. The journey continues.
Take care and see you soon!
Floh