Life aboard SV Animaashi has been a way for us to find relief from the health challenges I face. My autoimmune condition, palindromic arthritis, forces us to stay near the ocean where the clean air reduces my symptoms. However, after spending time in North Carolina, the inland air has triggered my symptoms again, and it’s time to move on.
The arthritis is flaring up, making even basic tasks difficult. Walking short distances or using my hands is incredibly painful. Unfortunately, staying inland is not an option—every day here takes a toll on my quality of life. The severity of the condition had reached a point where, truthfully, if I were an animal, I likely would have been euthanized due to the unrelenting pain and complications.
Why We Had to Leave and Close the Business
Before moving aboard Animaashi, I ran Glass Lakes Photography and the Petoskey Print Studio, offering everything from fine art printing to conservation framing. But as my autoimmune condition worsened, it became impossible for me to maintain control over the business. The arthritis impacted my ability to walk and even handle simple tasks like framing and printing. I was entirely dependent on my staff, and over time, it became clear that I couldn’t sustain the business without risking my health further.
The physical toll, combined with a failing immune system, led to our decision to leave and then close the gallery and print studio. While this was a difficult decision, it was necessary for my well-being and survival. The medications prescribed by rheumatologists didn’t provide much relief and often made things worse, so the best solution was to leave and seek better air quality by the ocean. Remotely managing such a specialty service was proving to be too complicated to do, and finding the time while maintaining the vessel full time was also challenging eventually forcing us to close the business this past January.
The air in the coastal areas is much cleaner than what we experienced inland. This discovery has been crucial for managing my condition. Inland air contains allergens that unhinge my immune system, triggering inflammation and causing my body to attack itself. The results are debilitating—severe arthritis, memory issues, cognitive decline, and even aggression. Each day spent inland took years off my life, and the quality of life was so poor that if I were an animal, I likely would have been euthanized long ago. We had no choice but to leave.
What’s Next: Sailing South and New Photography Projects
Now, we’re preparing to leave North Carolina and sail further south in search of better air and more stable conditions. Our movement is being influenced by the natural forces that surround us—northern cold fronts are pushing us south, while the risk of tropical storms keeps us cautious. We’re following a path dictated by the balance between staying ahead of the cold and avoiding dangerous weather systems.
As we travel, I’m continuing my work capturing photographs of National Parks and other public lands along the way. This journey provides a unique opportunity to document the beauty of these protected spaces, highlighting their natural landscapes and importance to preservation. Each stop we make is not just a pause in our journey but a moment to explore and capture the natural beauty around us.
The coming weeks will take us further south, with Florida as our next major stop. Here, I hope to find more stable conditions for my health and new opportunities for my photography. As always, I’ll be sharing updates and images from the journey. Be sure to follow along on SV Animaashi’s social media pages for updates about our travels, and check out Joe Clark Photographer for new photography releases and creative work.
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