It seems fitting that I begin my blog while here in the British Virgin Islands, as it was here in 1982, where my life in nautical miles really began. Back then, there was a group within our Hobie Cat club that put together a sailing trip to the BVI. It was my first time in blue water, and I was hooked. It was the perfect combination of sailing, snorkeling, island breezes and scenery. You could really say that trip charted a course in my life that would take me places I never imagined. Since then, Tom and I have spent a significant time in the BVI; as visitors, residents and even employees.
Our 1980’s sailing in the BVI was joyful. Tom and I had been bitten by the bug. Hard. We began to scheme how we could live that cruising lifestyle for more than just annual vacation time. We knew that if we didn’t do it before we got ‘old, fat and grumpy’, we’d probably never do it. We loved our careers but decided to take a 4-year sabbatical from our careers to satisfy our itch.
Our planning to make this all happen propelled us to read every article, book or publication of others living aboard. We self-studied and both attained our Captain’s Licenses and took celestial navigation courses. And all the while, we were searching nationwide for The Right Boat. Our long list of seaworthy boat criteria led us to a 38’ Alajuela that we found in Newport, Rhode Island. “Windborne” was a stout cutter rig with a sea kindly gait that became our floating home for four years, during which we sailed her to Venezuela, Trinidad, and all the Eastern Caribbean islands along the way. Click link for complete stories: Living Aboard A Sailboat
Since then, we’ve sailed a wide variety of boats and routes along the way. Many folks have asked us to write about our places, adventures and experiences. And so, I’m now “sticking my toe” into the blogging waters.
Life in Nautical Miles 