The Sea Otter Forest
A story about sea otters, kelp forests, and the surprising ways one small animal can help protect an entire underwater world.
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, 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 workshops and collaboration because storytelling is inherently collaborative—often turning unexpected paths into meaningful outcomes.
See the world differently,
Renée
Stories
I'm currently developing a series of children's picture book manuscripts inspired by real encounters with wildlife in the natural world.
Each story grows out of lived experience — moments spent watching sea otters eating and dozing in kelp forests, puffins moving between nesting burrows, open sky, and the sea below, and Arctic animals surviving in some of the planet's most extraordinary environments.
Each manuscript blends narrative, science, and wonder, inviting young readers to see the natural world with greater curiosity, care, and connection.
A story about sea otters, kelp forests, and the surprising ways one small animal can help protect an entire underwater world.
A story about the remarkable life of puffins — birds that nest in burrows, fly through the sky, and use their wings to swim beneath the sea.
A story about narwhals, Arctic waters, and the mystery of life below the frozen surface.
Puffin Quest
Two boats. Two coasts. Six years living the journey.
We lived aboard Puffin Quest for more than four years. Our journey began on a 60-foot Nordhavn in the Pacific Northwest, then evolved as we fully embraced the liveaboard lifestyle — selling our home, cars, and most of our possessions before moving full-time 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 as far south as Trinidad.
Pacific Northwest
2018 – 2019
We began our liveaboard journey aboard the original Puffin Quest, dipping our toes into what life on the water might feel like.
From our home base at Elliott Bay Marina in Seattle, we explored 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.
Although our Nordhavn 60 was more than capable, we soon realized that living aboard full time would require a bit more space, comfort, and storage. So we began looking for a larger boat.
U.S. Eastern Coastline — Bahamas — Caribbean
2020 – 2024
Fully committed to the liveaboard lifestyle, we sold our Nordhavn 60, purchased a Nordhavn 68, and moved aboard.
We sold our house and cars, giving away or selling most of our personal possessions. We stored only the sentimental things, not knowing when — or if — we would return.
Our new-to-us Nordhavn 68 was a true ocean-capable vessel weighing more than 100 tons, and she required a deeper level of training and seamanship. With our training captain, Bernard Francis, we learned her systems, handling, and maneuvering while cruising the U.S. East Coast from Florida to Bristol, Rhode Island, discovering the remarkable beauty and wildlife of our own shores along the way.
Outfitted for extensive cruising, we then crossed from Florida into The Bahamas and continued down the Caribbean island chain, reaching as far south as Trinidad.
Much of our exploration time was spent kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, birdwatching, and beachcombing. Along the way, we built friendships with local island communities and lived life fully on the ocean.
Just the Two of Us
Special thanks to our training captain, Bernard Francis.
Renée served as captain and navigator, plotting courses, reading weather, and piloting Puffin Quest through everything from glassy Caribbean mornings to challenging Atlantic swells. She also served as galley chef, creating memorable 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 vivid encounters with birds, marine life, and other 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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