About
I'm a writer and filmmaker creating immersive, story-driven experiences that bring the natural world to life—blending lived exploration with science to spark curiosity, connection, and wonder.
At the heart of my work is a simple belief:
When people connect with the natural world, they begin to care for it more deeply.
My storytelling is shaped by a lifetime of global travel, including years of operating and living full-time aboard an ocean-crossing vessel with my husband. From remote coastlines to open ocean crossings, I've experienced marine and wildlife ecosystems up close—encountering sea otters, whales, puffins, dolphins, walruses, sharks, coral reefs, and more.
These experiences inform my work, inviting audiences to step inside the narrative and see the natural world in ways they may not have otherwise experienced. Through that connection, I hope to inspire greater understanding, care, and stewardship.
I continually develop my craft through professional work and workshops because storytelling is inherently collaborative—often turning unexpected paths into meaningful outcomes.
See the world differently,
Renée
Puffin Quest
Two boats. Two coasts. Six years living the journey.
We lived aboard Puffin Quest full time for more than four years. Our journey began on a 60-foot Nordhavn in the Pacific Northwest, then evolved as we embraced the liveaboard lifestyle aboard a 68-foot Nordhavn. From there, we navigated the eastern coastline of the United States, cruised extensively through the Bahamas, and continued down the Caribbean island chain.
Pacific Northwest
2018 – 2019
We began our liveaboard journey on the original Puffin Quest, dipping our toes into what life aboard might feel like. From our home base at Elliott Bay Marina in Seattle, we navigated the islands and inlets of the U.S. and Canadian Pacific Northwest, encountering sea otters, orcas, eagles, and the quiet rhythm of life on the water while learning what it meant to command a 70 ton, true ocean-going vessel.
U.S. Eastern Coastline — Bahamas — Caribbean
2020 – 2024
Fully committed to the liveaboard lifestyle, we sold our Nordhavn 60 and upgraded to a Nordhavn 68—a true ocean-capable vessel weighing more than 100 tons.
We first cruised the U.S. East Coast, deepening our command of her systems, handling, and maneuvering while discovering the remarkable beauty and wildlife of our own shores.
From there, we continued through the islands of the Bahamas and farther along the Caribbean island chain, reaching as far south as Trinidad while scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, birdwatching, and building friendships with local island communities along the way.
Just the Two of Us
Special thanks to our training captain, Bernard Francis.
Renée served as captain and navigator, plotting courses, reading weather, piloting Puffin Quest through everything from glassy Caribbean mornings to challenging Atlantic swells, and also serving as galley chef, creating tasty meals along the way.
Paul managed maintenance, mechanical systems, and the unglamorous but essential work that kept a 68-foot ocean-going vessel moving safely between anchorages and harbors.
Together, we proved that with determination, trust, and a willingness to learn, two people could command a vessel like Puffin Quest and take her anywhere we dared to go.
It was a glorious time — friends and family joining us at ports along the way, sunsets that stopped us mid-sentence, and most importantly, encounters with all sorts of wonderful sea, bird, and wildlife that changed the way we see the world forever.
Adventures
From Arctic fjords to Caribbean reefs — a life lived in pursuit of the extraordinary. Choose a category to explore.
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