Exactly two years ago I started this little blog. At that time we were just a few months from sailing into the horizon and wanted to capture the last of the preparations and get into the habit of journaling so that I would be all ready to record our adventure in the upcoming new year. But plans evolved, as plans always do, and as the year went on our little planned adventure morphed from a one-year sabbatical to a 4-5 year cruising lifestyle transition, or what ever you want to call it, and the departure date was pushed back a year to adjust (you know, to save more money).
Then, exactly one year ago I wrote about our “one resolution”. Yep, 2014 was the year we were sailing off into the horizon and beginning our even bigger grand adventure. But plans got shot to shit, as plans always do, and Keith was promoted to president of his company just weeks before he was about to resign. It was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of opportunity for him and we took it-for just a little while (you know, to save some more money).
Now, here today I refuse to make a single New Years resolution because plans….well, plans….we are struggling with them right now. Lately, they have been changing on a weekly, sometimes daily basis. This week alone our departure date has ranged from three months to three years from now (you know, maybe we should save some more money while it’s coming in).
I reread this post so far and I hear frustration and disappointment in my words, yet that’s not how I am feeling at the moment, I just don’t know how to capture the right tone in my writing. An author I am not. So to clarify, we are happy, content, and grateful to have the opportunity to choose between good and great things. Zero complaints. It just means, and the whole point of this post is, we haven’t pinned down our plans for 2015. I think we are sailing off into the horizon this spring, at least that was the plan just a few hours ago! I swear, it’s really like playing a never-ending game of Whack-a-Mole, with the mole being our cruising plans. The only real plan is just to keep saying “yes” to the opportunities in front of us. 2014, you have been mind-blowingly incredible-Thank You! 2015, I am looking forward to you too, whatever you may bring! Happy New Year!!
Oh, and back to this little blog for a minute since it is it’s birthday, it was created to capture our cruising memories for ourselves and as of late I have wondered if I should just put it on hold until we have actually left the dock. It was never really meant for an audience and we don’t feel, or want to feel, the pressure to be accountable for the plans we have written here. We’ve been pretty candid on the evolution of our cruising plans, but still, this may not be the best place to work out the details since not everybody in our (Keith’s) life even knows about about this mad little scheme. (And those that do probably think to themselves “OMG, just GO already, we are tired of hearing about your trip!”) On the other hand, I enjoy this blog hugely for the people it has connected me with over the past two years. (Some of whom have also had their cruising plans take wildly unexpected turns, while others have demonstrated the amazing ability to execute their said plans, others just along for the sail- I enjoy them all) Because of that, 2015 will still include a little blog about this little couple and their little plan to sail off into the horizon. Besides, we have a handful of really “boaty” projects that are just one step away from being crossed off the ever present todo list and I am kind of excited to post them soon because the plan to sail off into the horizon has never been in question-only the when and for how long has been up for discussion.
Happy New Year from us to you!
Wright Away Sails Away 
One blurb I read on Sailnet the other day ” My greatest challenge is what will I do with my alloted time. I can sit on shore full of fear and trepidation or I can raise the sails and fly and romp with the wind. Maybe a week or two shake-down cruise is in order… say Ft Pierce, overnight on Bethel Shoals and back through Canaveral inlet.
Yes, a little time on the water has always been mind clearer for me, and Keith too.
Happy New Year!
A couple of thoughts on your recent post: There is nothing wrong with putting a plan or a dream on hold. We had to hold our dream during the market downturn because of the uncertainly of our economic future. We put the dream on hold again when it took longer than expected to sell Cindy’s company. We are doing our final preparations now to set sail. We are five years behind our original planned departure. But hey, we are finally going.
In hind sight, I wish we had started our blog sooner and included more information about setting a budget, saving money and the difficulty we had getting solid factual information about the cruising life. There are plenty of blogs showing sunny skies and clear waters. Very few talk of the difficulties of living in a confined space, seasickness, roaches, dysentery etc. If people stop cruising, the blog just stops. No explanation is given. Sometimes I think the boat just sunk and that was “the end”. We tried really hard to approach our decision to cruise as informed as possible. It took us years to get a solid idea of what a cruising budget should look like, how much of an emergency fund is needed, where to go first, etc. I would suggest you have plenty of reasons to post getting prepared for your dream as much as you will once you start it.
As for the “just do it” people: These are the ones we constantly seem to bail out in life. Some folks are content on drifting along When bad stuff happens, they point the finger as it is never their fault. They are totally unprepared and expect to dial 911 when they get into trouble. We view setting sail as a serious endeavor requiring tremendous planning for self-sufficiency. This is not accomplished on a whim or overnight. Heck, it took us three or four years just to find a boat we both felt was suitable.
We think there are people stuck in day to day routines seeking advice or want to take a different path. You have many forks in your journey and plenty of people would find that interesting. We had a ton of fun prepping for our sailing adventure and wish we had documented some of the more interesting stuff (like how to buy a boat in the USA from a Canadian that was flagged Turks & Cacaos with a BVI company or our visits to boat shows). Don’t despair, take your time and enjoy the luxuries of living on land.
Mark and Cindy
s/v Cream Puff
http://www.creampuff.us
Mark and Cindy,
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. I found it refreshing to hear that we are not the only ones who have edited our plans :).
I use the phrase “sailing off into the horizon” almost sarcastically because unlike the movies, glossy sailing magazines, or some forums, preparing to go cruising is hardly a spontaneous endeavor and we know it’s definitely not a long-term vacation. Years and years of planning, sacrificing, and working, and saving have gone into this and almost everyone else I know who has done some serious cruising has had to do the same. You’ve done the work, you get it. I’ve enjoyed the process, which is good I guess, since I might get to enjoy the “prepping” phase for a little longer :).
I think we’ve done our homework, but we just got offered some “extra credit” that seems maybe silly to pass up. On the other hand, I watched my father die early with all the regrets of putting off his dream, also of cruising, for too long. Keith’s father passed young too. Two years ago we lost a dear, dear friend to cancer. We thought we were going to share this cruise together. Those realities still sting. It has left us with a little panic about making it happen….before it’s too late. It makes the whole “live in the moment” vs. “what if we live into our nineties?” planning a bit contorted for us. Obviously.
By the way, I am interested in hearing about the USA, Canada, BVI….whole global boat buying hurdle. That is still worth sharing even after the fact! I’m also looking forward to a follow up to your SSB installation once you get a chance to use it some more.
Thanks again for the encouraging thoughts,
Deborah
If life has taught me one thing it’s that no matter what happens, no matter how plans change, It aways seems to turn out better than I thought it would.
Yes, that is true. Sometimes we need a little reminding of that mid transition though! Thanks!
Happy Blog Birthday! Plans are great, but life always has a surprise or two waiting, doesn’t it. We’ve had some family things this year which have changed our plans quite a bit. It can be frustrating at times, but as Ginny above says, things often turn out better in the long run. I love your blog – keep it coming! Happy New Year and all the best for 2015 (planned or not).
Yes, Ginny is right. I do hope that your unexpected detours also lead to surprisingly good things. By the way, I am loving your road trip just as much as your sailing trip. The Scamper is too cute!
Happy Happy New Year!
I’m soooo feeling you on this one! Jason and I were just talking today about our “plans” and I straight up said, I don’t want to make decisions based on the idea of us doing this one thing in a few years because how many of our plans have worked out the way we anticipated over the last few years? Not one. And you know what? I’m fine with that! I am so grateful I have had the chance to meet you, we love following your “journey” even if you haven’t left the dock for good yet. Happy New Year to you two (and the pup!)!
Girl, I KNOW you can relate sometimes!!! You are good with going with the flow, though. A true cruiser – really cute New York Apt or not 🙂
Happy New Year to you and Jason (and the pups) from us! Again, Cheers to whatever wonderful things this year brings.
This is the first blog post I have read of yours. I look forward to catching up on your journey.
I have learned that you have to just do what is best at the present time. Plans always change. I try to enjoy the trip as it unfolds.
All the best in 2015!
Thanks, and welcome aboard!