tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126307262024-03-18T06:12:05.818-05:00Windtraveler<i>A family floating around on this big blue marble.</i>Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.comBlogger1206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-79292574482531214682020-01-13T11:00:00.000-06:002020-01-13T11:51:34.945-06:00First we Break. Then, we Grow<br />
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I couldn't believe when I opened the Blogger browser my homepage popped right up. Like I'd posted yesterday, like I'm not a stranger to this place, as if I'm here regularly. But not so. It's been well over a year since I wrote (I don't even remember my password to get in here), with my writing tapering off considerably the year before that. And many of you wondered <i>"why?"</i> The simple answer is this: when you are going through hell, it is very, <i>very</i> hard to write about it. You must get through it, and write about it on the other side.<br />
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I'm back. I'm not on the other side yet, not even close I'm afraid, but I'm at a place of reflection where I finally feel ready to share. I knew this time would come, because the need to write - to share, connect - for me, is as integral to my life as food and drink. Not writing hurt me deep in my soul, and I was lost without it, but I didn't want to force it or rush it, because that wouldn't be fair. Sure, I could've ignored the elephant in the room and written happily about this day or that, but it didn't feel right. It didn't feel honest. How could I write about a lovely day at the beach with the kids, while something so momentous and life-changing was going on in the background? How could I not give credence to that? I simply couldn't. So, I sat. Stuck.<br />
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I haven't been completely gone, as most of you know. I have been posting little glimpses into my life on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/windtraveler/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a> (and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sailwindtraveler/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>) which has mildly satiated my urge to share. But as we all know (or should know) by now, no life is accurately depicted in a series of prettily arranged boxes on your screen. A picture might be worth a thousand words, but no picture could (or really, should) sum up what has been happening behind the liquid crystal curtain we all sit behind. Some of you began reading between the lines, and noticed something was amiss. But I wasn't ready to explain, to tell. The time wasn't right and, frankly, putting it out there would make everything more real, tangible and painful. Also? Many of you are not going to like what I am going to say and I will, once again, be opened up for scrutiny, judgement and God knows what else for telling my story.<br />
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As I alluded to in my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6vPWA5g_Zn/" target="_blank">New Year Instagram post</a>, Scott and I have separated. We have been separated for a year now. While I understand this will come as a tremendous shock to many of you, to almost everyone closer to us, it was not. The demise of our marriage wasn't an implosion, or sudden impulse (as some might wish to believe) driven by rash decisions or clouded judgement, it was, rather, a slow erosion that began many, <i>many</i> years ago. It's impossible to say exactly what went wrong, if we could've altered course to change the outcome, or if we were just ill-suited from the get go... Suffice it to say, I have learned a lot this last year, and one of the things I have learned is that everyone has a story. And, more often than not, their story will serve their views and opinions. They will grab on for dear life to that story, convince others their story is true, and believe wholeheartedly that their version is the "right" version. But - as with all stories - there are two sides. What is truth for one person, is not the truth for another.The real story often lies somewhere in the middle. But the bottom line is, Scott and I were not good together. We both made a lot of mistakes over the years, hurting each other terribly in the process, while consistently and systematically bringing out the very worst in each other. By the time we realized how bad it had gotten (after years of on and off therapy), it was too late. I had nothing left to give and had been worn down to a version of myself I no longer knew. I truly saw no way out of the devastating and terribly unhealthy cycle and put a final stake in our marriage by finding refuge elsewhere, thus kicking off the most painful and difficult year of my life while simultaneously shattering the image I had unwittingly created of "the perfect family".<br />
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You see, breaking up a marriage is one thing. Breaking up a family? That's another. There are no words that encompass the magnitude of this anguish. The only one I can think of and use regularly is: agony. It is <i>agony</i>. While many - if not most - aspects of our life as a couple were unhealthy and toxic, there were many beautiful parts as well - namely our three girls - and it would be wrong to recall a decade together without recognizing that there was some magic in our union as well. Make no mistake, the dissolution of a marriage is a death. And just like any death, it is a devastating loss. The grief and sorrow come in waves and without warning. The memories trickle in and trigger tears without consideration of time and place. Then come the pain, guilt, and shame. They are so very heavy and always there, camped out in a spot in your heart where they will live forever. You don't forget and move on, these new roommates make space. You learn to live with this little hole in your being, and try as you might, it cannot be filled with anything, <i>ever</i>. You must acknowledge the presence, recognize you are a different person, and adjust. This is much easier said than done, I'm afraid.<br />
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Scott and I have been very good about putting the kids first and being as cordial and civil as possible, and the kids, for the most part, are doing amazingly well considering. We share custody, we live five minutes from one another (I am on the boat with the kids, he in a condo down the road), and we attend recitals, school events and the like together. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day together as a family at Scott's house with some friends, we laughed and hugged and had a great time. We are trying as best we can. It's hard, I cannot lie. And there are many days I think "Is this all a dream? Will this pain go away? Will all this be worth it? Will this ever get easier?" and my friends and family assure me, that no, this is not a dream, yes, this is for the best and for sure it will get easier. But friends, it's hard. It is so, so, so very hard.<br />
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This new year has brought me a sense of release and purpose that I have not had. I can now write again, share my feelings and pain as well as my triumphs and adventures. I'm inspired and free. This unfortunate development is yet another layer in my life, and something I cannot ignore or gloss over. It is there, and will be here. This has been, and will continue to be my safe space in which to share. And I truly believe that maybe by sharing as honestly as I can (without airing dirty laundry or being disrespectful) it will lead me to a better place and, if I'm lucky, maybe help someone like me feel less alone.<br />
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Because we are never alone.<br />
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I am ready to share again but I understand if some of you no longer want to stay here. That's okay too.<br />
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Thank you for being patient with me.Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com222tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-54824499330608208352018-07-08T13:32:00.000-05:002018-07-08T14:00:54.579-05:00Indecision and The Question that Drove it Away: How I Made up my Mind to Sail South<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">If action is the basis for success, indecision is the birthplace of failure</span>. And <i>dear god</i>, have I been indecisive this last month...To be fair, I have always considered myself a pretty resolute person; I typically know what I want and go for it. I follow my gut - which usually leads me in the right, or at the very least,<i> an interesting</i>, direction - and I've never been one to hem and haw and change my mind, which is why this past month has been...<i>well</i>...driving me batty.<br />
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Ever since our <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/10/eulogy-for-our-boat.html" target="_blank">last boat and most of all our worldly possessions</a> were taken by Hurricane Irma last summer, we knew that our <i>next</i> boat would not be left in the path of harm (aka: hurricane alley, which is where we happen to live). The storms of last season took away a whole lot from a whole lot of people, but one good thing they swept away in their wake: <i>complacency</i>. No one wants to be caught with their pants down this year (and probably for the next few following) and neither do we. So our plan: sail ourselves south for the peak hurricane months of August and September and haul our boat in Grenada, where storms are "<i>statistically</i>" less likely to strike (knocks on wood). This way, we can enjoy time back with friends and family with relatively little stress (<a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/09/hurry-up-and-wait-agony-of-watching.html" target="_blank">watching hurricane Irma on her death march</a> to our home was pure agony) and our boat will not be a sitting duck in the water. For months this has been our plan; re-visit our former island-hopping cruising days for a short while. The girls are older, they are all great swimmers, and our boat - a Hallberg Rassy 46 - is a legitimate thoroughbred on the water. She loves to sail. This was our plan since we <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2018/01/back-on-island-time-recap-and-update-on.html" target="_blank">returned in January</a> and I was all about it.<br />
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Until the time to leave grew closer and indecision set up shop in my brain.<br />
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My first guest was doubt... I turned over a million scenarios in my head and came up with as many excuses why sailing south wasn't really a good idea: <i>"Is our boat really ready?"</i> <i>"Are the girls really ready?" "Would it cut too much into our time back home with friends and family?"</i> <i>"What if the twins get sick and don't sleep well?" "We really need more fans...." "Our dinghy leaks air..."</i> <i>"We don't have solar power or a water maker, we should have those to cruise..."</i> <i>"What if we get into shit weather and I have to help Scott, what will the girls do?" </i>and (shameful to admit)<i> "What will I do without regular wifi!?" </i>these questions, along with a myriad of others plagued me day and night and opened the door for indecision. Do we stay or do we go? Ultimately (hindsight being the best magnifier) - it was fear that caused me to make the "chicken out" decision to flying home from here - though I didn't think it at the time. I had made up my mind, we were opting out of the sail.<br />
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But for some reason the decision was not sitting right.<br />
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If I was honest, it did feel very much like a cop-out, the idea of flying home. Sure I had all the excuses and everything sounded hunky dory, but I knew the truth. Scott and I would have a chat, he'd convince me that all would be fine and it would be fun, he'd beg me to come with the girls, and then I'd say, <i>"Okay! We are in!"</i> Two days later, doubt would creep back in and I'd back out again. This flip-flopping happened no fewer than 15 times people! It was driving me (and Scott) crazy. <i>WHY COULD I NOT MAKE UP MY MIND!? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GIRL WHO KNEW EXACTLY WHAT SHE WANTED?! WHY ON EARTH WAS I HOLDING BACK ON THIS?!</i><br />
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I still don't exactly know what my indecisiveness was about or where it was coming from. I suspect a nice chat with a therapist could uncover that, but ultimately, after talking on the phone with my sister and best friend no fewer than thirty times combined, and going over ideas and scenarios with Scott, I - at Scott's urging - looked at my options and thought to myself: <b>what will I regret <i><u>not</u> </i>doing?</b> Would I regret not flying home a little early to see friends and family while Scott sailed our home south, or would I regret not taking this opportunity to show our girls an adventure, do some traveling, and spend some time at sea? Once I posed the question to myself in that way, the answer came clear as a bell: <i>adventure</i>.<br />
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I chose adventure.<br />
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And until making this final decision (and, yep, it's final now!) I had no idea how badly I've been craving a little adventure. Call it wanderlust, call it fernweh, call it whatever you want - but that insatiable urge for change, travel and life experience, I have it. It went a *tiny* bit dormant while the kids were small and I had barely any time to come up for air, let alone dream and scheme, but that fire that once was inside and drove me toward the unknown is beginning to flicker again. And I am <i>so</i> excited.<br />
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The plan right now is to head to St. Croix on Tuesday to drop off a bunch of stuff we had in storage for friends, and from there we're going to make the 35/40 hour hop to either Guadaloupe (my absolute favorite!) or Dominica. We'll spend a few days in that area and then continue island hopping down the chain, stopping where we feel, finally ending in Grenada where we will haul our boat and fly back to Chicago for fun with friends and family.<br />
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This decision feels good. It feels <i>right.</i><br />
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If I've learned anything - particularly in the wake of Irma - it's that life and circumstances can change very, very quickly. My grandfather - a true hedonist and man who lived a life of travel and adventure - always said: <i>if there's an opportunity, take it</i>. And for most of my life that little snippet of advice has carried me to some pretty amazing people, experiences and places. Sometimes it's scary and vulnerable to take a leap into the unknown, but we all know the little venn diagram about comfort zones and where the magic happens (hint: it's outside of it). So we are going to take this opportunity and we are <i>SO</i> excited. I'll be keeping our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sailwindtraveler/" target="_blank"><b>Facebook</b></a> and <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/windtraveler/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b> pages updated where we can, so follow us over there if you want to keep up with us, though my posts will likely be sporadic.<br />
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Time to get back to our cruising roots, for a little while at least...<br />
<br />Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com182tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-71162175275174060822018-07-06T14:39:00.002-05:002018-07-06T14:39:39.122-05:00Nevis: A Journey through The Best Caribbean Island You Haven't Heard of<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's pronounced "NEE-vis" and this island is like something out of a dream</span>. Perhaps it's the impressive peak of Mount Nevis which juts from the islands center and seems to always be cloaked in shadowy clouds, or maybe it's the perfectly manicured homes, gardens and streets...but on my approach to her in the sleepy sun drenched sky of late afternoon, she took my breath away. Yes, even after years of island living the birds' eye view of an island approach still makes my heart pitter patter.<br />
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Welcome to Nevis: The self-proclaimed island of the <i>"discerning traveler".</i><br />
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I'm here because my fellow island sister, Riselle, of <a href="https://thetravelingislandgirl.com/" target="_blank"><b>Travelling Island Girl</b></a> organized a familiarization trip with the Nevis Tourism Board, and I was chosen to join her (insert happy dance). I jumped at the opportunity. Not only was it a great chance to have a little "me" time (read: kid free!), but it was a way to get to know this tiny island better since Scott and I only breezed through for a night back in 2013 on one of our sails south. What follows is the travelogue of this trip through Nevis, and should you want to visit this magical little place (which you absolutely should!), you might just want to take this as your itinerary because we did a LOT...Hang on and enjoy the ride...<br />
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If you happen towards the cruise ship areas of island towns, you will likely find a shirt that reads "Same Sh**, Different Island". While islands obviously share similarities this could not be further from the truth. Immediately I'm struck by the difference between this island and mine. Lawns are tidy and manicured, the town is quaint, clean yet bustling, and vendor stalls bursting with home-grown fruit are never far. Did I mention the monkeys? Yeah. THERE ARE MONKEYS HERE! This is one of the few Caribbean islands with a monkey population and who<i> doesn't </i>love monkeys? (Turns out, Nevisians don't. The monkeys here are a *serious* problem and considered vermin, but more on that later...) My first impression? <i>Me Likey.</i><br />
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We are greeted by the lovely Angelique of the tourist board and immediately she feels like a familiar friend. We are going to be dropped at the beautiful <b><a href="http://www.mountnevishotel.com/" target="_blank">Mount Nevis Hotel</a></b>, our home base for the next few days, to clean up and then taken for dinner at the gorgeous waterfront Nisbet Plantation. Nevis was a veritable sugar bowl for the Caribbean back in the day and the ruins of sugar plantations (even that of the famed Alexander Hamilton!) dot the countryside adding to this islands vintage allure.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mount Nevis hotel is absolutely heavenly and breakfast on a verandah with a view? YES</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy and breezy, thats the feeling you get at this beautiful place. @Mount Nevis Hotel</td></tr>
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My room in the Mount Nevis hotel is <i>incredible</i>. With high beam ceilings, a balcony with an ocean view, an open floor plan and clean tropical decor, it feels spacious and light. I throw myself on the bed, arms and legs splayed. <i>"This is the life!"</i> As former cruisers, hotels were one area of travel life we almost never experienced and living on a boat means spaciousness is a luxury so <i>this. is. a. treat.</i> I enjoy my shower and head to the lobby where I meet up with Ris and Jen (of <b><a href="https://jentheredonethat.com/" target="_blank">Jen There Done That</a></b>) for a very welcome rum punch while we wait for our ride. Cheers!<br />
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Our first outing is to the <b><a href="https://nisbetplantation.com/#/" target="_blank">Nisbet Plantation Beach Club</a></b> where they have an amazing <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g3180037-d148242-i97679025-Nisbet_Plantation_Beach_Club-New_Castle_Nevis_St_Kitts_and_Nevis.html" target="_blank">Thursday night barbecue buffet</a> followed by a live band. This place does not disappoint. The buffet is incredible and offers something for every palate. Freshly prepared, local, and bursting with color I'm drawn in for two plates full of food before I force myself to stop. (OMG, the bbq'd shrimp! <i>Drool</i>.) My girlfriends and I enjoy our dinners with cocktails, and shake it off on the dance floor later to the live band. We go to bed happy.<br />
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The next morning I enjoy my fruit and yogurt parfait and strong black coffee on the breakfast patio of our hotel (views sooo good at Mount Nevis Hotel!), and we are off to visit the home of Ermine Hendrickson. She's one of Nevis's local agro processers and makes jams and jellies from her home. We hop into Angelique's car, zip by the beautiful landscape and perfectly manicured home and lawns, fly by a few "monkey crossing" signs (yes, they are REAL), and we are there. Ermine is shy and soft spoken, but kind and wise. She is going to show us how to make a local treat that consists of coconut, simple sugar, and ginger (a few drops of bitters is the secret to her recipe!) We watch and drool as her concoction takes form - the smell of toasted coconut and ginger filling the air - until finally we get to taste the yummy gooey treat. It's sweeter than sweet can be and I cannot stop pinching pieces....We thank her for her time, leave with some of her famous home-grown pepper sauce and are on to our next adventure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHteuLzzwjGi5qzdXVz4mPLNOkaL8N198JRgqAf6lzwYTU94STB-9GGJKlTQ-bfWChNedhS30klfEL4xYNxJmtAXp1t5hdSrmLs4OchVnSZj9X4ZFpG5HPcx1HFpBu83gbrIcK8A/s1600/nevishotel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHteuLzzwjGi5qzdXVz4mPLNOkaL8N198JRgqAf6lzwYTU94STB-9GGJKlTQ-bfWChNedhS30klfEL4xYNxJmtAXp1t5hdSrmLs4OchVnSZj9X4ZFpG5HPcx1HFpBu83gbrIcK8A/s640/nevishotel1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Nevis pool and view. BLISS.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsiwMwPujVxdlg88uibcaphjnCCBS1EClN4u1dKt8rmzYkdlsKsVaTTE4NzXhTidO6_5fT-0CyUPZXIDO_EKDyiwvobja6cNHr1pBvO2m5cT98gqNDqjvytRvZnxu0fLU9SnU_Q/s1600/IMG_6224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsiwMwPujVxdlg88uibcaphjnCCBS1EClN4u1dKt8rmzYkdlsKsVaTTE4NzXhTidO6_5fT-0CyUPZXIDO_EKDyiwvobja6cNHr1pBvO2m5cT98gqNDqjvytRvZnxu0fLU9SnU_Q/s640/IMG_6224.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jen of <a href="https://jentheredonethat.com/" target="_blank">Jen there Done That</a> and Ris of <a href="https://thetravelingislandgirl.com/" target="_blank">The Traveling Island Girl</a> enjoying our breakfast to prep for a long day of fun.</td></tr>
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A wander through the small town with highlight stops at the local <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147378-d150307-Reviews-Jewish_Cemetery-Charlestown_Nevis_St_Kitts_and_Nevis.html" target="_blank"><b>Jewish Cemetary</b></a> (very cool, very old) and the <b><a href="http://www.cliftonestaterums.com/" target="_blank">Clifton Estate Rum Shop</a></b> (when in Rome!) leads us to the waterfront where we dine at the wonderfully eclectic <b><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g147377-d2165715-Reviews-The_Cafe_des_Arts-Nevis_St_Kitts_and_Nevis.html" target="_blank">Cafe des Arts</a></b>. This is my kind of place. Open and breezy, casual and comfy. Signs and trinkets fill the space and the garden is abuzz with life and color. We take our seats under a wide sunbrella and enjoy our light lunch before the afternoon craziness: The Patterson Pub Crawl (to book call Patterson directly: 869-661-9184) starting at the famed Pinneys Beach. We are told there will be moonshine. I am equally excited and terrified.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBPyG_Ve6XaOaUEmt5dZBf9x3qlT31UfGBg7XoPuBlmp3qDiFKIr1HCy8lqyPVnp6UDNzPShaRQ8cvvHU9SNG3F2iTFl8_rhQEaGo0fjgc0XHSKlUtRJIXc7o_4w3yyt_s53dIg/s1600/IMG_6170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBPyG_Ve6XaOaUEmt5dZBf9x3qlT31UfGBg7XoPuBlmp3qDiFKIr1HCy8lqyPVnp6UDNzPShaRQ8cvvHU9SNG3F2iTFl8_rhQEaGo0fjgc0XHSKlUtRJIXc7o_4w3yyt_s53dIg/s640/IMG_6170.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clifton Estate rum sampling. When in Rome, right?</td></tr>
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Pub crawls haven't really been my "thing" since,<i> oh I don't know</i>, 2001, but when a guy like Patterson invites you on a tour of some of Nevis's local rum huts (read: off the beaten path), you don't say no. We meet Patterson at his super chic lounge and he immediately emanates charisma and charm. He's funny, friendly and boisterous and I know immediately this will be a fun afternoon. We zip from rum hut to rum hut, with Ris and I taking two shots of the local moonshine at each place (#islandgirls can hang). In some places it's called "bush tea", others "Hammon" but my favorite moniker is "monkey piss" for obvious reasons. This stuff is no joke and after four stops, the girls and I are giggly and loopy and feeling the love. Because <i>everything</i> in the Caribbean is an aphrodisiac.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlB0EjRd7skGUvc4ITiO1ezPobngVEhpRk7hI6V_xEBiapJpJrykswyPxZgNviCfbj9DyrldQb1FzOy8s4AI9kvjZMrJN4KbQpT7HzWHR4-4UWeywi2_7gUacD69Z7nG-rsFZMRw/s1600/Nevis.Lounge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlB0EjRd7skGUvc4ITiO1ezPobngVEhpRk7hI6V_xEBiapJpJrykswyPxZgNviCfbj9DyrldQb1FzOy8s4AI9kvjZMrJN4KbQpT7HzWHR4-4UWeywi2_7gUacD69Z7nG-rsFZMRw/s640/Nevis.Lounge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patterson's Place on Pinney's Beach. Loved it here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTneTWgrUJcuGPcA8wpKZJoJYWY3KyoE1tSVWtWBlj112faWrUkqwQRXuQT_bI9fZ33qWVCi5ddZqMCknSOHbP7CFrQfrPsa6ZDeAI5gDtpbdyiS2Qk-d9SYlvv8l28KGc1elSQw/s1600/Nevis.Patterson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTneTWgrUJcuGPcA8wpKZJoJYWY3KyoE1tSVWtWBlj112faWrUkqwQRXuQT_bI9fZ33qWVCi5ddZqMCknSOHbP7CFrQfrPsa6ZDeAI5gDtpbdyiS2Qk-d9SYlvv8l28KGc1elSQw/s640/Nevis.Patterson.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell he's a charmer? The host with the most, and SO much fun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1D9bRhHXbKmDxIk8TZwEG4PtREQ0IvGa16BaxwvnqYdlR10TDa3hJI59obZord4rST-7gXU-y5XF9qb9lC5cvjKb6RmSMenyCsvmZeGgJBJeOdu1nCyURhgOYuDtEtNnxXVXpA/s1600/Nevis.Pubcrawl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1D9bRhHXbKmDxIk8TZwEG4PtREQ0IvGa16BaxwvnqYdlR10TDa3hJI59obZord4rST-7gXU-y5XF9qb9lC5cvjKb6RmSMenyCsvmZeGgJBJeOdu1nCyURhgOYuDtEtNnxXVXpA/s640/Nevis.Pubcrawl.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our rum bar stops. Always greeted with smiles and shots. Could be worse! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sLID3aCFJOed902g3R3sndujgd2x4-H8Yke1L4rKEYIrCt66LouKP5jrgD2TmGKcnA78oHHNkkxsiqPd0L3BPtnm_svCyEF779GbS5tm3OktCIC_n6Cok7OhyphenhyphenQSta6Dyy1kYvw/s1600/nevispubcrawl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sLID3aCFJOed902g3R3sndujgd2x4-H8Yke1L4rKEYIrCt66LouKP5jrgD2TmGKcnA78oHHNkkxsiqPd0L3BPtnm_svCyEF779GbS5tm3OktCIC_n6Cok7OhyphenhyphenQSta6Dyy1kYvw/s640/nevispubcrawl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We head back to our hotel where we <strike>sober</strike> clean up. We are heading to the <b><a href="https://yachtsmangrill.com/" target="_blank">Yachtsman Grill</a></b> for dinner. Right on the water and offering killer sunset views, the vibe is decidedly "yachty" (duh) and laid back; excellent for both couples and families. Lisa, the hostess, greets us with a huge smile and Jersey accent and we chat and laugh like we've known her forever. Her daughter, Chef Mary, is a young and inspiring chef who has recently taken over the kitchen and menu. She is unique and fresh, affable but with an edge, just like the amazing food she produces. Our dinner lingers on punctuated by occasional bursts of laughter and we toast the end of another amazing day.<br />
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The next day we are in for a <i>real</i> treat: an afternoon at the <b><a href="https://www.fourseasons.com/nevis/" target="_blank">Four Seasons Resort</a></b>. But first we view a few AirBnB properties to get a taste for what else is available here at a different price point. The stand out for sure are the <b><a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/kn/firefly-cottages-nevis.html" target="_blank">Firefly Cottages</a></b> which are the cutest, quaintest most fairytale-esque little one room cottages nestled deep in a jungle that SCREAM "honeymoon". I wanted to unpack my bags and move in forever to write a novel. If you are looking for a unique experience away from it all, definitely check these out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvAwCXsCsrfYEN9kiQa_htf4OOoGa3yNpebGLAFWiwIFvklXyiBAGknaaLVA9ispCKBrjAh_gzM0PeqZ6QWhTNQ219pgnhZKR6LbpWvxrxvIrPSrngD5jA4CohBhurqfkM8lxCA/s1600/IMG_6229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvAwCXsCsrfYEN9kiQa_htf4OOoGa3yNpebGLAFWiwIFvklXyiBAGknaaLVA9ispCKBrjAh_gzM0PeqZ6QWhTNQ219pgnhZKR6LbpWvxrxvIrPSrngD5jA4CohBhurqfkM8lxCA/s640/IMG_6229.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Firefly cottage #1 of 2. They are sooooo adorable.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqIsE8un82JLiRRbHbZKtOOp3O9u0VIihiX_uV98PTvcTfmFgizp66AuPrQ0b483JG2X2r5lkrgQIZKA8dzbtRt_AZZ7XeiQsREn2PbeOIseWA1T4_yJqk4vJB0D3tgXZSC6SMg/s1600/IMG_6233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqIsE8un82JLiRRbHbZKtOOp3O9u0VIihiX_uV98PTvcTfmFgizp66AuPrQ0b483JG2X2r5lkrgQIZKA8dzbtRt_AZZ7XeiQsREn2PbeOIseWA1T4_yJqk4vJB0D3tgXZSC6SMg/s640/IMG_6233.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage, eclectic, cozy and simple create the most magnificent ambience</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl902EvR6wy9sLz310MF6tF1GpILfz1cV0Hh4FJEzRmZ9jOwplBzFFyFzaGzUC7mn9CXGwfLSTLbQZCqWl6BJ7_oySTSsutcBIzjW9uVyuQQnOUGkMgm5eHLpyYkhN1bWTqEBFYw/s1600/IMG_6235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl902EvR6wy9sLz310MF6tF1GpILfz1cV0Hh4FJEzRmZ9jOwplBzFFyFzaGzUC7mn9CXGwfLSTLbQZCqWl6BJ7_oySTSsutcBIzjW9uVyuQQnOUGkMgm5eHLpyYkhN1bWTqEBFYw/s640/IMG_6235.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coziness abounds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZUE5AL6tMXWZFt1rerw2Qb6fXZM9LvTDDBluZDdo0l3I0NZVtSqVQ2gwTkVCJCop090tbx6ie8zm-_xhxnLIr7vwmo8ltYvHQy6So8gaZsc5DvBlgp62fqwnGxs45dOqgb8vxA/s640/IMG_4351.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One room cottage nestled in the rainforest, does this scream romantic getaway or not!? Swoon.</td></tr>
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From there it was to the <b><a href="https://www.fourseasons.com/nevis/" target="_blank">Four Seasons Resort</a></b>. Having never been to a Four Seasons save the occasional wedding, I had no real idea what to expect as high end resorts are usually not my 'thing'. This place is <i>INSANE</i>. The grounds are expansive and gorgeous featuring an 18 hole golf course, private villas, manicured lawns and babbling brooks. We also had our first monkey sighting here! (SCORE!) We toured some absolutely incredible villas that rent for many thousands of dollars a night, as well as touring some rooms. Four Seasons Nevis lives up to it's world-wide reputation and every single aspect of this place - from the decor, to the food, to the (free!) kid's club - is top notch. Fellow islanders, it's definitely worth noting that they offer us a >>><a href="https://www.fourseasons.com/nevis/caribbean_residents_rate/" target="_blank"><b>CARIBBEAN RESIDENTS RATE</b></a> <<< from May to December. I fully intend on using this in the future <i>(TRAVEL TIP: it's also worth asking if other hotels offer such a rate as well!) </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEKVLE1Y3MOTv-5v8UMZhFvh9b5stGxTQaSGaZMlorYU7HqT6K81ZSwt2e199fe-wFmQ2X0Gau2MrtSuqynEPkoWC6UbqVmqRjNtgW65zzGeJ_GHAaBjVlG91RMNw947DWqEZWQ/s1600/nevisfourseasons2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEKVLE1Y3MOTv-5v8UMZhFvh9b5stGxTQaSGaZMlorYU7HqT6K81ZSwt2e199fe-wFmQ2X0Gau2MrtSuqynEPkoWC6UbqVmqRjNtgW65zzGeJ_GHAaBjVlG91RMNw947DWqEZWQ/s640/nevisfourseasons2.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hi! I am in a 10K per night villa I have no business being in but it's fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXq7IuvtrzF4IMzrEm6ty6gFWCurwEkiMX_qrRZK9pXBu2DrABWwFwA2QxSJTTI_3cBIujqZUhnSJDHIWL3cPpscNCKcuthqVM9QjzYSpvwUdfpv0QjWwWC9fQqfco2cUCs9Ncyw/s1600/IMG_6245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXq7IuvtrzF4IMzrEm6ty6gFWCurwEkiMX_qrRZK9pXBu2DrABWwFwA2QxSJTTI_3cBIujqZUhnSJDHIWL3cPpscNCKcuthqVM9QjzYSpvwUdfpv0QjWwWC9fQqfco2cUCs9Ncyw/s640/IMG_6245.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Four Seasons Resort in Nevis leaves no stone unturned. It is perfect in every conceivable way.</td></tr>
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After a tour and an absolutely delicious lunch (fish tacos, FTW!) we were treated to a couple hours in our very own private beach cabana. <i>Oh. My. God.</i> We had bottle service, a selection of magazines, fresh baked treats, and our own luxe beach chairs with a beachy little tented living room to retreat in. <i>Move over Beyonce!</i> (Insert "z" snap) Feeling quite legit we kicked back with a bottle of prosecco and reveled in the magnificence of the ocean before us. The reggae rum cart rocked up just as we were packing up so we took a roadie. I honestly did NOT want to leave. But more fun was to be had...we had a sunset sail to catch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcbEUnlLOykmnMWMX_cQ4DoeC1lUdkPs2MCqcIcgPS9DNZnCFfgIMe4X_wlvDT38lRNRgEe_IeDe6FJtLktMWAKEseSqEJZd3B3WmRXj3mn2LohoK6i_2Y50XdjdTxiasMxJGtA/s1600/Nevisfourseasonsbeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1235" data-original-width="1600" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcbEUnlLOykmnMWMX_cQ4DoeC1lUdkPs2MCqcIcgPS9DNZnCFfgIMe4X_wlvDT38lRNRgEe_IeDe6FJtLktMWAKEseSqEJZd3B3WmRXj3mn2LohoK6i_2Y50XdjdTxiasMxJGtA/s640/Nevisfourseasonsbeach.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out in front of our private beach cabana. Yeah, I could definitely get used to this!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5C2EK5qXE2EPjh8Py98LZoWXwJ4XkTIm8rYri_KK7KdQpc0JEcGPyqycYcsdQN14bAzLHZnVXSB-W1QDRIReBTEnYCiOujYBSl1FhyphenhyphenaIkZvoB1Q8ITCNy500-1k1BlZFV7ZNGA/s1600/nevisrumcart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5C2EK5qXE2EPjh8Py98LZoWXwJ4XkTIm8rYri_KK7KdQpc0JEcGPyqycYcsdQN14bAzLHZnVXSB-W1QDRIReBTEnYCiOujYBSl1FhyphenhyphenaIkZvoB1Q8ITCNy500-1k1BlZFV7ZNGA/s640/nevisrumcart.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You guys, when the Reggae Rum Cart calls, you answer! Thank you Four Seasons!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Still buzzing from the Four Seasons beach, we meet up with our hosts for the sunset sail, <b><a href="http://www.leewardislandschartersstkitts.com/" target="_blank">Leeward Islands Charter</a></b>, and are welcomed aboard by Captain Lennox and first mate Stallone. Nicknames are part of the culture in Nevis, and with nicknames like that, we knew we were in for a good time. Stallone kept the rum punches flowing en masse, the tunes were jamming and before we knew it, we were full-on dancing like fools on the trampoline. Many, many boomerang videos were made and miraculously, no one fell overboard. This was for sure a highlight evening of Nevis and a sunset sail is a must-do if you visit this amazing place. A LOT of rum was consumed and the laughter was non-stop. We held down the "fun" button, hard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZJufI_qBX9lwGy4vbKbpg4_-0NYueFFz6zo27OzJSamoyZfIZTWmcfDa0RWfA3-Ge-6kt7A_QaGdXPPykeCbo9Fny1t6TNlSSNVRACsOlpfd0ZQyJ5e1YdqTnbm9BCbs-AnskA/s1600/nevissailing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZJufI_qBX9lwGy4vbKbpg4_-0NYueFFz6zo27OzJSamoyZfIZTWmcfDa0RWfA3-Ge-6kt7A_QaGdXPPykeCbo9Fny1t6TNlSSNVRACsOlpfd0ZQyJ5e1YdqTnbm9BCbs-AnskA/s640/nevissailing.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was basically us THE ENTIRE SAIL. Laughing, laughing, boomerang video, more laughing.</td></tr>
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The next morning we were all feeling a bit worse for wear, but <i>THERE WAS MORE TO SEE</i>. The lovely Angelique whisked us up from our verandah breakfast where she deposited us with the <b><a href="http://funkymonkeytours.com/" target="_blank">Funky Monkey Tours</a></b> - we were embarking on a three and a half hour tour that promised "beach and bush, resorts and ruins, and savannahs and rainforests" which is precisely what we got. It's hard to imagine this tiny island offering this much varied topography, but it does. Exploring in an open-air polaris was a great way to get off-road and feel the wind in our hair. This trip offered two highlights for me: my very own "horse whisperer moment" (you had to be there. I basically tamed a stallion.) and a trip to a natural healing hot spring.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcgR5AkajMDvKyS2xlWOheFseJJbSu5YyMtJxAFCZGakLM5nVTn09WQ0YiyexLB098IvVoAy4k0fRLx_16tUUpLvIEJzQQaSVhxyoUdVVKrtmbclBYYYVRaIWkXcV7SQLTGZ0iA/s1600/IMG_6406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcgR5AkajMDvKyS2xlWOheFseJJbSu5YyMtJxAFCZGakLM5nVTn09WQ0YiyexLB098IvVoAy4k0fRLx_16tUUpLvIEJzQQaSVhxyoUdVVKrtmbclBYYYVRaIWkXcV7SQLTGZ0iA/s640/IMG_6406.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can just call me the "horse whisperer" this magnificent creature and I had a moment. I swear.</td></tr>
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The volcanic-heated spring ranges between 104 and 108 degrees celcius and you must enter slowly. The pool promises to cure you of your aches and pains and while I have no such afflictions, I did feel incredibly relaxed and rejuvenated after soaking for the suggested time. We had a lovely conversation with a local women who's arthritis has been almost completely eradicated thanks to her daily 15 minute sessions. Aches and pains or not, this is a definite must-see on and a unique little experience uniquely Nevis (sadly not for kids, way too hot).<br />
<br />
Of course the tour had to live up to it's name ("<b><a href="http://funkymonkeytours.com/" target="_blank">Funky Monkey Tour</a></b>s") and we were treated to a few monkey sightings which elicited squeals of delight. Unfortunately, however, we learned that the monkeys are a legitimate national issue here and are more or less despised by locals the way city dwellers loathe rats. While it feels almost unnatural to liken monkeys to vermin <i>(they are SOOOOO cute)</i> they are detested <i>that </i>much. They destroy farmers crops and multiply quickly. In fact, there are more monkeys than people here and when they migrate to the lowlands, they wreak havoc for the locals. While there are steps being taken to control them, getting rid of them is not an option either, as they are just another box on a long checklist of highlights that make Nevis special. Me? I love them and really, really wanted to snuggle one and take it home (shrugs).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeSlOWFklDXvb1z9yILCRHWbeD2bkr8q7MbgfEkhv_egeb8wB64vATZSf-lGbSqxqlQVN853MX5o_rBtbDa14_scUqdjPy77awHFYnmQ6X961YzljGmmEiK0n3OdaB3zulKgy8A/s1600/IMG_6329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeSlOWFklDXvb1z9yILCRHWbeD2bkr8q7MbgfEkhv_egeb8wB64vATZSf-lGbSqxqlQVN853MX5o_rBtbDa14_scUqdjPy77awHFYnmQ6X961YzljGmmEiK0n3OdaB3zulKgy8A/s640/IMG_6329.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tour was so fun, getting off the beaten path was a great way to really see Nevis.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeu2EqPmbu8Qk5TT6yb2_fZLz3TTdtAfEDSxTZku1cmB9O4vWN63-sq6OdMVOZ-KYlqE7ikhp6sNde6ZkR-OEXnQzl1E-ymLQ-Jus85q0AujdmuY2v74NQb06vA40TY_Y0tYQcNw/s1600/IMG_6484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeu2EqPmbu8Qk5TT6yb2_fZLz3TTdtAfEDSxTZku1cmB9O4vWN63-sq6OdMVOZ-KYlqE7ikhp6sNde6ZkR-OEXnQzl1E-ymLQ-Jus85q0AujdmuY2v74NQb06vA40TY_Y0tYQcNw/s640/IMG_6484.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A trip to Nevis would not be complete without stopping at an old sugar plantation, right<br /></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Pb0aI588WA1VQcUgNXbY6xip120-Y-yvCpQLi2HiYuMLStPVV27zQA7vRT9ZLvyW3pux2SczgnszBeDcMGRPEttf_r3y0A8S5q5_qxvbq9PzAZOIE_ZD_gkbBCy7ZAEKQeMs9A/s1600/IMG_6504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Pb0aI588WA1VQcUgNXbY6xip120-Y-yvCpQLi2HiYuMLStPVV27zQA7vRT9ZLvyW3pux2SczgnszBeDcMGRPEttf_r3y0A8S5q5_qxvbq9PzAZOIE_ZD_gkbBCy7ZAEKQeMs9A/s640/IMG_6504.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our day ended at the incredible <b><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g147377-d1975750-Reviews-Chrishi_Beach_Club-Nevis_St_Kitts_and_Nevis.html" target="_blank">Chrishi Beach Club</a></b> in Cades Bay. Swanky, chic and a haunt for the local expats, this place reminded me of South Beach and St. Barts. Laid back and beachy with modern decor, contemporary food and great chillout music in the background, it feels very hip. Bubbles were in order for this lunch and we spent a few hours laughing and lounging, enjoying the beautiful scenery and company. Our last day was upon us, and in the morning our whirlwind tour of the little island that stole our hearts, would be over.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OluQ5Xa5GE_qfCJrspXg0zGPqyNs0LChqmh8bVsUFYDagv1MoHLkjQjK7gKOntbv0H88g153r39JSquQUhIdZtrTG55MITBEiKB_BYF6ZhlcUSsv_eca24cFjSc0vJ7PEpK9OQ/s1600/nevischrishiebeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OluQ5Xa5GE_qfCJrspXg0zGPqyNs0LChqmh8bVsUFYDagv1MoHLkjQjK7gKOntbv0H88g153r39JSquQUhIdZtrTG55MITBEiKB_BYF6ZhlcUSsv_eca24cFjSc0vJ7PEpK9OQ/s640/nevischrishiebeach.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is SO the kind of place you want to hang with your friends on a #sundayfunday and drink all the bubbles. We had a blast here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9xJAvt33nOS39TqDwWFRA2FSikBhZoAGiodL0mFN-xphGabvCDX45dY9HsmWu4gnpoCCU1VAiNkFFQ0tU3Em_XlpuoGXVpEY92kP-vQfjB7eZBcBteSsWfWNFoPIL4aDwQL_pA/s1600/chrishiebeach2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9xJAvt33nOS39TqDwWFRA2FSikBhZoAGiodL0mFN-xphGabvCDX45dY9HsmWu4gnpoCCU1VAiNkFFQ0tU3Em_XlpuoGXVpEY92kP-vQfjB7eZBcBteSsWfWNFoPIL4aDwQL_pA/s640/chrishiebeach2.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did someone mention bubbles? @Chrishie Beach Club</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>***</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
Nevis is an island that - even though it's technically part of St. Kitts and often mistaken as the "little sister" - stands alone. With her amazing people, her lush curvature and her sleepy authentic "island" vibe (no big box stores or chains here, they keep it quaint), she is, <i>indeed</i>, the island for the discerning traveler. Whatever your budget, there is something for you here. Nevis is for couples, families, yogis, thrill seekers and everything in between. Whether you are looking for off the beaten path adventure or a relaxing week being pampered on the beach, Nevis will ace it. And you will see monkeys. Lots of cute, little monkeys.<br />
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*<i>Stay tuned for more specific posts on where to stay and what to do while in Nevis.</i>Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com82tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-30439998984379801422018-06-14T12:27:00.001-05:002018-06-14T16:22:40.723-05:00The Motherlode: Finding Balance Where There is None<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsV3ZYcpBqRqRyGRnWIIBMNXIkK3TsdAb8N2v0KOTB1ZMEAWXtIoV820eO1xM7pGxQ9FvzXzGAXp5QkKFdt1pGpGce8mSiGFbVJ0EkiOG1JUUfZMEtf_nAU95bSPMPG-WXLPzFSQ/s1600/motherlode.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsV3ZYcpBqRqRyGRnWIIBMNXIkK3TsdAb8N2v0KOTB1ZMEAWXtIoV820eO1xM7pGxQ9FvzXzGAXp5QkKFdt1pGpGce8mSiGFbVJ0EkiOG1JUUfZMEtf_nAU95bSPMPG-WXLPzFSQ/s640/motherlode.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's 10:24 am and I have but one precious hour left of time before having to get the twins from their preschool</span>. The minutes hang over my head serving as a constant reminder that I do not have enough time. I have a deadline to keep, I am writing about my trip to Nevis and going through hundreds of photos; editing and trying to organize my post so it's not too long, so that it stays interesting. This has been weighing on me for weeks, and I keep procrastinating. <i>Must. Keep. Going.</i> I have at least eight hours of stuff to do today, but they will not get done. I know this. And it adds to my frustration. Obligations, expectations, personal wishes, distractions, lists in my head, important decisions to make, a business to help run (but I don't because I leave that to Scott by default, causing him stress as well)... It's crazy hair day tomorrow and next week Isla needs to dress like she's one hundred years old. These sorts of things are icing on the cake that I do not want to eat. Do you know how hard it is for me to get out of the house with my kids by 8am!? And now I need to give her rainbow troll hair!!?? (Insert GIF of woman sliding down a wall slowly in exasperation) All of these things combine with about a million other tiny things - including my own personal struggles, wishes and desires (which get pushed to the side and ignored) - and chip away at my sanity, my peace. I freeze. I opt for an evening with friends drinking strong cocktails as opposed to tackling the contents of the overflowing cupboard or doing some much-needed yoga. I'm simply too tired. The devil in my mind shakes her head in disgust: "<i>You are not enough</i>."<br />
<br />
Welcome to the motherlode.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
I know I'm not alone. It's not a new concept; the mental load that a mother bears. It's well documented and every single woman who runs a household knows exactly what I am talking about. Lots of people see me and think that I have it pretty together. And sometimes, I do. But deep down, I'm just grabbing at straws like everyone else. Things that are currently bugging me (this just off the top of my head): my computer is a mess, files everywhere, 18K+ photos just floating around with zero organization, and in desperate need of a backup. Our lockers, cabinets and drawers? Dear <i>GOD </i>they are ALL overflowing and jammed shut. Hidden away. Is this a metaphor for my life? Tidy on the surface and a mess underneath? I ponder this question regularly. Our fridge needs cleaning and organizing, and speaking of the fridge, I <i>really</i> need to step up my cooking game because I'm failing there too. Must do more family dinners....I need purge some of our stuff; kids clothes, toys, extra markers and <i>all. the. things.</i> Living on a boat means it encloses around us much more quickly until I snap and just start grabbing stuff and throwing it in bags. Confession: I keep almost NONE of my kids art and crafts and when it comes home in their bags, more often than not it goes right to the trash. Am I the only one? TELL ME I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE.<br />
<br />
I want to take pictures of their creations and scribbles as keepsakes for them, maybe set up email addresses for them to act as a time capsule where I send them cute things about their lives and their days but FACT: <i>I can't be bothered</i>. Will I regret this? Thoughts like these keep me up at night. I yell at my kids too much and sometimes their attitudes make me see red. <i>ACTUAL RED</i>, people. Am I failing them? Kids are, after all, a mirror unto ourselves. Each day when they are mean or sassy or hurtful I think: <i>"Did I do this to them?"</i>...I spend too much, am careless with money, and have no idea how to do taxes or properly manage finances. I have approximately 4K emails in my windtraveler inbox, many of those from wonderful and loyal fans and followers who <i>deserve</i> a response, but I just <i>can. not. do. it.</i> I simply do not have the energy or the time to craft thousands of email. I have so much I want to say, want to write...but I'm blocked. I feel pulled a million directions and instead of it all lighting a fire under me to work work work and #getitdone, I freeze. Am I lazy? Am I a failure to launch? Am I living up to my potential? I don't like the answers I give myself.<i> "You are not enough."</i><br />
<br />
This is just the little mundane stuff. I won't even get into the fact that our livelihood and business still dangle precariously in front of us, our future almost totally uncertain. The next 18 months are critical. I push the thoughts out of my head...<br />
<br />
And people wonder why I cannot sleep at night.<br />
<br />
It's not one of my better traits, this tendency to stand like a deer in headlights in the face of a mountain of tasks. I get overwhelmed easily and my knee-jerk reaction - the carnal fight or flight instinct that evolution has fine tuned for us - is to run. I escape in many ways; some healthy (spending time with friends, talking, writing it out), others not so much (drinking in excess to distract, wasting precious hours on social media). But to tackle it is all too much. I want to take a photography course (my skills are so limited), get back into health and fitness (I'm a former marathon runner and medaled triathlete), I want to write <i>at least</i> once a week and resurrect this blog... I want to be a better mom, a better friend, better sister and daughter...I want to submit articles to magazines, maybe even start a novel and there are <i>SO MANY</i> books I am longing to read because one every couple weeks isn't enough.... These are just a sampling of a long list of wishes and desires I have but instead I let out a heavy sigh, lay down during my downtime hours and scroll on Facebook or find some other distraction. <i>"Another day"</i> I tell myself. My energy level is too low. My inspiration gone. I need more coffee... Which reminds me, I <i>really</i> need to drink more water.<br />
<br />
On the flip side, I am also hyper aware that we are in an intense stage of life right now. Everyone tells me this and I get it. We are <i>"in the trenches" </i>as it were... We had three kids in less than two years (chaos is an understatement), are the parents of twins (well documented to add stress to a marriage), live on a sailboat (stressful) on an island where we are complete outsiders (and often made to feel unwelcome), and we run a (now fledgling) business. Our lives were completely overturned and future made uncertain by the largest recorded hurricane in Atlantic history, adding insult to injury. To steal a lyric from my favorite 80's rock ballad, we are <i>"living in a powder keg."</i> I still am looking for the spark. Maybe it will get my tush in gear?<br />
<br />
We are lucky, I know that. I feel guilty for even winging about this because <i>WHAT RIGHT DO I HAVE?</i> There are many people with <i>real</i> problems; terminal illness, family death, poverty, abuse...the list goes on. My litany of stresses and worries are of the first world variety and I know that (adding guilt to my self-deprecation list right now). I know that what matters most in life are people and our relationships with them. That our health is our wealth. We have three beautiful, <i>healthy</i> children and wonderful family and friends. We get to live in paradise, enjoy international travel and our lives are full of adventure. I am grateful for all these things, believe me. Will I be on my deathbed and wish I had written one more blog post? Most likely not. Will I sob at the mountain of email I never got back to or wish I had cooked more organic vegan dinners for my children or lament that my drawers were a mess? The dispatches I read of hospice nurses tell me unequivocally "no". I will wish for more time and maybe that I had spent mine wiser. I will think of my family and friends and hope I made a positive impact on their lives, in their worlds. I will lament hours wasted agonizing about things that don't matter, days like this. And this is what I think I need to keep focusing on. One foot in front of the other. Day by day. What is important right now is to make someone smile, help a friend, have a laugh, make a memory with my children... I remind myself that soon enough all three of our girls will be in school all day long and before I know it they will be grown and suddenly I will have many hours throughout the week. I will miss these days. I will look back and think how wonderful - <i>maybe even how easy</i> - it all was. And I will long to come back here.<br />
<br />
But for now, it feels like the <i>motherlode.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
Yesterday, I bought three cans of colored hairspray for Isla's rainbow hair tomorrow. When I showed her she would be able to have the hair she wished for she jumped up and down with the biggest smile you could imagine, threw her arms around me and exclaimed, <i>"Oh my gosh!! Thank you SO much mommy, you are the BEST! I am so excited!"</i> In that little moment, I was winning, and everything else was just noise. This morning, I was <i>more</i> than enough. And that's good enough for now.<br />
<br />
<br />Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-39903162463500811202018-04-16T12:46:00.000-05:002018-04-16T13:06:34.458-05:00How We Got our Groove Back: Piecing together Life Post-Irma<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRednrVO2nW1GLI4ouZL3UesJLjF-Bg4X-nnW5f1E5FM87WIZ8fZ8y2OPQMB9l8xgBF2-cPwmxttvX36EXZvnSZ6SrFskLgrWRi1hgGwz_DQSGpZjHV69vJyifxsLBEH0MD1C8Q/s1600/boat3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1151" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRednrVO2nW1GLI4ouZL3UesJLjF-Bg4X-nnW5f1E5FM87WIZ8fZ8y2OPQMB9l8xgBF2-cPwmxttvX36EXZvnSZ6SrFskLgrWRi1hgGwz_DQSGpZjHV69vJyifxsLBEH0MD1C8Q/s640/boat3.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haven looks at what used to be our home.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our first charter for our daysail company, <b><u><a href="https://aristocatcharters.com/" target="_blank">Aristocat Charters</a></u></b>, was April 10th</span>. It might not seem like a massive announcement in the grand scheme of things, but getting our flailing business back up and running (we lost both our day charter boats to the storm and have been income-less since) was the last piece of the "Irma puzzle" we had to put together to resume life as normal. It's a laughable concept - "as normal" - because life here after hurricane Irma is anything but "normal"... so much has changed. People have left (both by choice and not), "disaster relief" groups have taken their place, buildings are destroyed, construction is booming, tourists are few and far between, new industries and companies have emerged, tides have changed in a million ways, and many lives and livelihoods face uncertainty...The fact that our first charter was six months overdue is just one *tiny* anomaly among many. It's pretty much the same plot line for every single one of us that lives here: adjustment and recalibration is part of the new normal.<br />
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Life post-Irma has been an equally strange and amazing time, living in what some might describe as a "disaster area" that, in many ways, has not quite found it's footing is...interesting. From a global perspective, this situation is not unique. Every day there are a whole host of geographical areas effected by natural disasters, wars, and extreme poverty. These are polarizing predicaments, to be sure. But coming from the relatively bubble-wrapped perspective of a privileged "first worlder", this is very unique. Despite the "different-ness" (life will for a long time be discussed in a pre vs. post Irma vernacular), however, the beauty shines through. My heart continues to swell with gratitude every single day that we can live here, our girls continue to thrive in their wild and carefree childhood, and the tourists who have chosen not to cancel their travel plans all echo the same sentiment: "This place is amazing!" Because it is. Sure, you will see a whole host of cars driving around with only plastic for windows with mangled bodies and, yep, you will probably turn to gawk at some buildings who's second floor is no more, and - true - there are some areas where the destruction and damage will be shocking and possibly depressing, but if you can get past that - you will see that so much beauty remains unchanged. And to be able to see beyond the destruction is, I am learning, a gift.<br />
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Those of us that live here, we <i>have</i> to see beyond it. We have no other choice. And so we do.<br />
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When I lived in Tanzania my best girlfriend from college came to visit. I picked her up from the 8:30pm KLM flight that arrived from Amsterdam in my old beater of a Land Cruiser and we made the long, dark drive back to my house. We chatted and caught up as we passed a flicker of a roadside oil lantern here and there, and I was giddy with excitement to have a visiting fried. The drive to my house was an hour and to get there we passed through a little roadside shanty town to get up the hill to where I lived. I walked or drove through this little neighborhood every day. Ramshackle dirt-floor homes made of propped up corrugated roof bits and sticks, cardboard mats, and whatever was available. Stray dogs, mamas collecting firewood, and barefoot little kids kept a regular buzz of activity along the roadside...it was all very normal to me. <i>"Oh my gosh Brittany!"</i> my friend gasped when the <i>askari</i> (armed guard) closed the car gate behind us. <i>"How could you not warn me about that?"</i> I was confused...<i>"About what?"</i> I asked, perplexed. <i>"That poverty down there"</i> she said with wide, sad eyes. And suddenly it dawned on me: this was <i>NOT</i> normal to her. It was shocking to her. She had never seen anything like it before. To me, however, those were the kids I hugged and high-fived on the way down the hill. Those were the mamas that sold me my daily maize and welcomed me home with a smile. To me, it was normal. My brain had adjusted.<br />
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And it's kind of like that here.<br />
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This lesson that I learned so long ago and am re-learning again is the amazing ability of the human brain to <i>adapt</i>. I have always wondered how people in war torn areas were able to live day to day, marveled at the horrors of history such as concentration camps and how people persevered, and my heart breaks <i>daily </i>at the thought of losing a child and how parents (like my own mother) go on after such utter devastation ... while our situation absolutely <i>pales</i> in comparison to those above, what I have learned is that people are often stronger than we think. And when you don't have a choice, your brain does this amazing thing: it adapts. <i>"If you don't bend you break" </i>is a mantra that has resonated with me for a long time - and as a very "type A" person it's not always an easy one for me to embody - but life post-Irma has taught me that more than anything. You need to be flexible. You need to be patient. You need to bend. Choices are a gift, for sure. But when they go away, you learn to work with - and appreciate - what you have. And you go on.<br />
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Do not get me wrong, our family is by no means "choice-less" in the literal sense, we are still very much in the top percent of the world's population, but leaving this place would mean abandoning a dream, a life we love, and it would set us back financially in a very significant way. We, in our thought process, <i>had no choice</i> but to stay and try to salvage what we could of our life and business. Irma took us out at our knees; we were at the top of our game, making more money that we had even predicted and growing our business in leaps and bounds. Last season was a record breaker for Aristocat Charters and this season was on track to break that by a<i> LOT</i>...we were doing so well and excited about future plans and goals, dreaming big travel dreams and plotting some exciting getaways. Irma changed all that over the course of a few hours but focusing on the past and how good we had it is easiest way to sink into an anxiety ridden depression. The only way to look now is forward. And one fact remains: we still have it very good. We still have a wonderful life. We are healthy and have our kids. We live in a beautiful and inspiring (albeit imperfect) place.<br />
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Perspective is everything.<br />
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<i>"What's it like there now?"</i> people ask me. I tell them that it's different, yes, but there are what I describe as "pockets of normalcy" where things feel okay and even like they were before. The main grocery store is unchanged and fully stocked, the roads are clear and free again, Isla's darling school is a haven of happiness and joy (and looks just as it did pre-Irma), our beloved Nanny Cay Marina - while very different - still feels very much the same and the community here is stronger than ever. These are just a few examples... Every day things get a little bit better. These are still some of the most beautiful islands on the planet and one of the best places for a water-based vacation. Despite what is a very uncertain future in regards to tourism - not to mention the very real (almost palpable) terror that is inside all of us about future hurricane seasons - I am grateful. Our family - no doubt about it - are some of the lucky ones.<br />
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So yes, this past month was a big one for us. Our <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2018/03/our-new-boat-sonder-is-homeward-bound.html" target="_blank">new boat is here</a> meaning we finally have a place to call our own again (stay tuned for a tour and pics!), our beautiful new (to us) daysail boat for Aristocat Charters is up and running (and arguably better than our other boats!), and life is beginning to feel more "normal". Things are coming together and it feels so, <i>so</i> good. As the islands build themselves back up and nature restores itself, so does the human spirit. We are all of us changed from the hurricanes, but I also believe most of us have a new layer of empathy, understanding and an inner strength that has grown. We have nowhere to look but forward.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvo12ZVbR29e_7U7IrD1R1uPpFompYgj0_pHGWdik_FVNSHlbR3LjqJ5SvPdKOhGXOF3LkWaucpt0RRVmLTEpQYIdckt_MFqmjIwMFxwh9FUo019GqPkdRPvxKrAlXIC8dy8rZw/s1600/home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvo12ZVbR29e_7U7IrD1R1uPpFompYgj0_pHGWdik_FVNSHlbR3LjqJ5SvPdKOhGXOF3LkWaucpt0RRVmLTEpQYIdckt_MFqmjIwMFxwh9FUo019GqPkdRPvxKrAlXIC8dy8rZw/s640/home.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new home and boat, s/v Sonder</td></tr>
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<i>These islands still need help! The best way to show support is to come and visit us! People who have been here since the storm are RAVING about their amazing times on charters...this place is still amazing, awe-inspiring and beautiful - ESPECIALLY from the water. Check out my <a href="http://www.marinemaxvacations.com/destinations/caribbean/what-to-expect/" target="_blank">post for Marinemax</a> about what to expect on your trip. See you soon!</i><br />
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<i>Also, if pictures are your thing and you want to see more - please follow us over on <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sailwindtraveler/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b> or <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/windtraveler/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b> where I post pictures of our life and adventures every day. Thank you!</i>Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-23661604163595284132018-03-13T12:07:00.000-05:002018-03-13T13:01:24.915-05:00Our New Boat, Sonder, is Homeward Bound: How Hurricane Irma Took but also Gave<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I got little choked up as I re-read Scott's last "I love you message" as he sailed out of cell reach this morning</span>. The culmination of six months of shock, anguish, gratitude, uncertainty, stress, exciting new beginnings and heart breaking disappointments suddenly bubbled up as it dawned on me that - <i>finally</i> - things are starting to come together. Part of the emotion, of course, is also a healthy dose of anxiety around the fact that Scott will be largely out of communication for the next ten days as he sails our new home offshore with his trusty crew of two. I will be getting daily "we are okay" or "send help" messages that will come through our basic but effective satellite communication system on board, but not much more than that. Long time readers know I am, and have always been, a professional worrier when it comes to boating. The trepidation is compounded after having been affected so completely by Hurricane Irma; we are now closely associated with loss and intimately aware of how quickly things can change. I'm trying to push those thoughts out of my head and keep a positive outlook, but I'd like the next ten days to hurry up and be here.<br />
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Anxiety aside, my heightened emotional state was also out of sheer joy that finally we will have our very own home again and, after spending almost half of the last six months apart, ours will be a (more consistently) two-parent family. While I am very accustomed to solo parenting our three girls, it's not always easy and sometimes can get downright ugly (ask me about how many balls I drop on a daily basis). Daddy being a regular presence and influence around here will be<i> SO</i> welcome. The fact that Scott is also sailing our dream boat (and home) back to us is also quite incredible and surreal. Scott and I have been dreaming of owning a Hallberg-Rassy 46 since we owned our very first Hallberg-Rassy, <i>Rasmus</i>. The other week, in fact, a blog follower wrote me with the screenshot of a three year old <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sailwindtraveler/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> post in which I had posted a picture of a Hallberg-Rassy 46 and wrote, <i>"One day we *will* have this boat"</i>. I have no recollection of putting it out there like that, but I did, and if that isn't a point for how the Universe works and manifestation, I don't know what is. </div>
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The truth is, for as much as <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/09/hurricane-irma-reflections-on-life.html" target="_blank">Hurricane Irma took from us</a> and all the stress she bestowed on our family, she gave us so much as well. Not only do we now own the boat of our dreams - an ironic turn of events that is not lost on us - but we have made some truly incredible new friendships that began and grew because of the storm. We are under contract on a new boat better suited for our <a href="https://aristocatcharters.com/" target="_blank">daysail company</a>, and every single day I am so grateful that we are able to live on the island we love, slowly putting the pieces of our life and business back together with some amazing people in our corner. People hear our story and often express sorrow for us. I am the first one to say, <i>"NO! Please do not!"</i> While obviously we'd have preferred Irma to have not upturned our life and those of so many others, we are some of the really, <i>really</i> lucky ones. We had insurance for both our home boat and business boats, we were paid our claims in full, we had a nice chunk of money saved in the bank, did not have to endure the horror of a Cat 5 hurricane with our kids, and we had the open arms and incredible generosity of friends and family to fall back on when we were lost...we were and are <i>FINE</i>. There are others who were - and continue to be - way worse off. Our hearts go out to those people who continue to suffer and who's lives have been changed irrevocably. We are not those people. We took a hit, for sure, and our path and inner-selves are forever altered by the events of the 2017 hurricane season, but we are back and - ultimately - stronger for it. Irma, it seems, might just have changed us and our lives <i>for the better..</i>.</div>
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Our new boat, after much research and deliberation, has been named <i>Sonder; </i>the suggestion of my good friend Christel from <b><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/stellandsnuggs2bysea/" target="_blank">Stell and Snuggs</a> (</i></b>the merry family of roving sailboat musicians). We loved it immediately. Our criteria was 1) one word 2) easy to read and pronounce 3) unique and 4) a great meaning behind it. <i>Sonder</i> is a sort-of made up word from the <b><i><a href="http://www.dictionaryofobscuresorrows.com/" target="_blank">Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows</a></i></b> (fascinating and worth a gander) and means:</div>
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<em style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #707070; font-family: "Lucida Sans", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.1px;">Sonder: n</em><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #707070; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "lucida grande" , "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.1px;">. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness—an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you’ll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk.</span></blockquote>
In short, the word means <i>everyone has a story.</i> As both a writer who loves stories and someone who, particularly after Irma, is hyper aware of the fact that we all walk around with a well of stories and scars within us that are not apparent to the naked eye - it just made sense. So <i>s/v Sonder</i> she is.<br />
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This story is ours, and today marks the start of a brand new chapter. s/v Sonder is finally homeward bound, and we are so excited for what lies ahead.<br />
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Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-72347932813644769262018-01-25T09:20:00.000-06:002018-01-25T11:28:40.395-06:00Back on Island Time: A Recap and Update on our Return to Post-Irma Tortola<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">The only time I actually got teary about our return to Tortola was during take off on the puddle jumper in San Juan, Puerto Rico.</span> It had been an emotional few months. We were back in the US on holiday, when - days before we were scheduled to fly back - a massive <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/09/hurricane-irma-reflections-on-life.html" target="_blank">hurricane named Irma demolished our island</a>, <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/10/eulogy-for-our-boat.html" target="_blank">home and livelihood</a>. As a result, we were 'displaced' for over four months. We made the most of it, as any of you who follow our <i><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sailwindtraveler/" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a></b></i> know; we met up with friends, we made new ones, we fundraised almost $170K for our island, and spent the holidays with family. We went to movies, dinners and we even went skiing....yes, our time in the US was nothing short of wonderful, but it was still not "home". So on that flight - that tiny little nine seater that I love and loathe so much - I felt four months worth of heartache, anticipation and excitement bubble up in me and, <i>well</i>, I got a little choked up.<br />
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But that's where the emotions subsided really, at least the ones that brought tears to my eyes...which actually surprised me. I had mentally prepared myself for this return, both out of self preservation and on Scott's urging (he'd been back and forth several times since the hurricanes). I also prepped the girls. There was no question that the place we left for our annual summer holiday in July was<i> not</i> the place we'd be returning to in January. <i>"Tortola is not going to look like it did when we left it"</i> I kept telling them. <i>"We know mommy!" </i>they would sigh (we had this conversation a lot) <i>"It's all broken up, we *know*..." </i>they'd say like it was no big thing, like I was asking what color the sky was. As for myself, I prepped like I do for any big moment in life: moving abroad, <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2011/04/passage-making.html" target="_blank">long sailing passages</a>, <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/p/baby-on-board.html" target="_blank">cruising with a baby</a>, <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2013/09/our-family-is-growing-by-four-feet.html" target="_blank">twins</a>, <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2015/11/flying-with-toddlers-our-tips-and.html" target="_blank">flying with kids</a> and just about every other occasion that warranted planning: <i><u>expect the worst, hope for the best</u></i>. If there is anything I can pat myself on the back for it is an ability to know what I am getting into due to very calculated and ninja-like method of preparation. I was primed for some sadness and shock, and I was definitely ready for tears.<br />
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So as the azure blue of the Caribbean sea made way to our beautiful island of Tortola, I was struck by one observation: <i>from a distance, she looks the same.</i> (And I, for the life of me, could not get that damn Bette Midler song "From a Distance" out of my head...) But when I came to that realization, that beautiful and simple realization, the only emotion that was left was pure, unadulterated <i>happiness</i>. I knew then that we were going to be okay, and whatever tears I thought I might shed upon arrival were replaced with a shit-eating grin.<br />
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Our plane touched down on Tortola soil and I was hit by the familiar sweet, sticky heat that I missed so much. The girls were giddy and punch drunk from almost twelve hours of travel, and as we clamored out of the tiny plane they giggled and jumped and we took in our surroundings. <i>"Look mommy, a broken palm tree!" "Look at that broken car mommy!" "There's no windows over there mommy, hurricane Irma did that!"</i> they observed... Sure, things were a bit worse for wear, there was no doubt about that. But it wasn't <i>that </i>bad. It was nothing that we hadn't seen in pictures and nothing that some time and hard work couldn't fix. The blue sky, the sun shining, and that lovely winter trade wind breeze was still there. It was all I needed to know we were back where we belonged, and it felt so. very. good.<br />
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Driving back to our home marina of Nanny Cay, we saw closer up what the aerial view from the plane did not expose; broken buildings, abandoned cars, entire homes demolished with only a single toilet left standing to let you know that, <i>yes</i>, just four months ago someone actually<i> lived </i>here. Sure, it was sad. And to know that so many people are still unemployed and struggling on a daily basis, <i><u>that</u></i> is very hard. But nothing about the state of the island was utterly shocking to me. Nothing really took my breath away. Call it a point for social media; but I knew more or less what to expect. Sure, seeing it in person is a little bit different, but after scrolling through hundreds of photos and having spoken to many on-island friends, I felt well prepared. As our taxi man, Larry, navigated potholes new and old, the girls pointed out all the broken things around us (like it was a game) I challenged them not to find the <i>broken</i> things, but the <i>beauty</i> around us instead... And, as kids do, they changed their tune completely; <i>"Look at those beautiful pink flowers!" "And those baby cows! Look, beautiful cows mommy!"</i> and <i>"Look at the water mommy, the water is beautiful..."</i> and it is, the water and the views are still breath-taking...<br />
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We arrived to our temporary residence, the catamaran that my mom had bought right before the storm to use as her base for visits. Miraculously, it survived - almost unscathed - only a couple slips down from where our boat sank. The girls ran into like it was no big thing. They claimed rooms, started un packing their things and playing. Like we'd lived here forever. I immediately went into organizing mode and started assessing storage and where things would go, keeping in mind that this is a temporary dwelling and we'd be moving again in a couple of months, and that's when I saw her out of our front window: Legato. Our old boat who had been found on the bottom of our marina a month after Irma and who'd been raised and laid haphazardly on her side along the break wall in the place that is now referred to as <i>"the graveyard"</i>. She is a sorry sight and almost unrecognizable; her name nearly completely rubbed off, her once-sparkling navy hull now a dullish gray-blue due to the murk from a month on the seabed, and her rigging in tangles on her deck and all around her. While it is sad to get an eye full of her nearly every day, she is a reminder that we have not given up and <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/10/eulogy-for-our-boat.html" target="_blank">we are moving on</a>. Life after Irma gave us a lot of perspective, namely: a boat is replaceable. People are not. We are blessed and lucky and can and<i> will </i>rebuild. We unpacked a few things and hit up the beach bar where we were greeted with happiness and hugs, the girls went running off on an adventure on their own, they didn't miss a beat... We even left a pair of flip flops buried in the sand like old times. It was almost as if we hadn't left.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
<i>"How *are* you?"</i> people will ask us in earnest with a gentle shoulder touch and heavy look in their eyes. I feel almost guilty shrugging and saying, <i>"We are fine, we are really just *so* happy to be back."</i> I also feel guilty for people thinking that we have any reason <i>not</i> to be fine. Sure, we lost a hell of a lot in Irma and she really knocked us off our feet - but she did that to every. single. other. person who lived here as well - and we are far luckier than most. We didn't have to live through the horror of the storm, were 'displaced' in a familiar place with familiar people, we had solid insurance (that has paid out!), a roof, power, and take-out and Uber and organic food... we could flush our toilets, come and go as we pleased and we could cook on a stove. We were <i>fine</i>. Coming back we have returned to a very comfortable boat with air conditioning, a cooking stove and electricity. We live in Nanny Cay, arguably the most recovered and comfortable place to live at the moment, with a vibrant community, a fully stocked grocery store, coffee shop and beach bar with nightly barbecue specials (THERE IS TACO TUESDAY NOW, PEOPLE!)....we <u>cannot</u> complain. <i>"Honestly, we are just so happy to be back"</i> is what I say to everyone, and I mean it with all of my heart. Maybe that makes me odd, but the destruction doesn't really bother me that much. And the girls? They don't give a hoot about it. Kids are truly amazing in that way, their resilience is inspiring.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
We have been back just over two weeks and the thing is this: while everything looks <i>VERY</i> different, (the destruction from this storm is everywhere, overwhelming and almost too much to comprehend) the BVI still <i>FEELS</i> the same. In fact, in some ways, I even like it better than before. It's a little grittier, a little more raw, a little less crowded and it feels more <i>rustic</i>. As someone who used to live in a little cowboy town in East Africa, I <i>like</i> rustic. We didn't move here for the architecture, the restaurants, or the cuisine...we weren't here for the glitzy night-life, spas, fantastic road quality or the bustling city center. We were here because we love living on the water and beacause we love this community. Because we love the melting pot of cultures Tortola provides and the fact that our girls greet at least ten different nationalities and dialects on a daily basis...we were here because most of our waking hours are spent outside in the sun, running around barefoot in the sand or climbing trees or swimming in pools.... we were here because the pace of life is a little slower and planning an outing with friends takes minutes, not weeks....we were here because this little group of islands - the BVI - are so. damn. beautiful and unlike any other place on earth.... we were here because we can hop in our boat and have lunch on a new island in less than an hour....we were here because people are more laid back, rules are not so rigid, and we can be a bit more "heathen" and a little less "uptight"....we were here because the characters we meet on a daily basis range from the crazy to the quirky to the profound and we learn from <i>all</i> of them... we were here because I truly believe this is one of the greatest places to raise little children in the world...the list goes on. My point is this: <i><u>all of that is *still* here.</u></i><br />
<br />
So - don't get me wrong - Tortola is still struggling and the road to recovery is a long one, I do not want to sugarcoat that. I have an overwhelming amount of respect for those people who were here for the storm, and those people who have remained to rebuild in the aftermath. I honestly cannot imagine what they all endured....Help is still needed here and it will be an uphill battle for quite a while, years in fact. But for us, at least, it's okay. In fact, it's better than okay.<br />
<br />
It is so, so good to be home.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>To see more pictures of our daily goings-ons, please follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sailwindtraveler/" target="_blank"><b>Facebook</b></a> (@sailwindtraveler) or <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/windtraveler/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a> </b>(@windtraveler), where I am posting daily. More blog posts and updates to come! Thank you for your notes of concern and patience. My email has been more or less neglected since having the twins (cringe) but I appreciate all your kind notes. Thank you for being an amazing community for us.</i></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-61226758254177799942017-10-19T13:27:00.001-05:002017-10-19T13:27:32.440-05:00Eulogy for our Boat<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr61QryFAd0B3JwI_rbmkYXZ5biD3e0i6AMmVI2k756chDxW16xrKP2audDtzn1MtU82attMshxllZA_w7yhQGgFwxGdHvVRSnT27PezAuK7sHZLidbVR_N2DtrsgaPlTE2ThQRg/s1600/boat5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr61QryFAd0B3JwI_rbmkYXZ5biD3e0i6AMmVI2k756chDxW16xrKP2audDtzn1MtU82attMshxllZA_w7yhQGgFwxGdHvVRSnT27PezAuK7sHZLidbVR_N2DtrsgaPlTE2ThQRg/s640/boat5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note that the hole in the bow is the bow thruster and not the hold that sank our boat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Twenty-four hours before Irma struck Tortola and changed the course of our lives and the lives of countless others, I knew we were in for it.</span> <i>"We are going to lose Legato,"</i> I told Scott in a contradictory state of shocked disbelief and utter certainty as Irma gained strength on her unforgiving trajectory toward our island of Tortola. I've written about how surreal it is to <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/09/hurry-up-and-wait-agony-of-watching.html" target="_blank">watch a slowly advancing "mega" hurricane descend upon your home</a>, I've also written about the aftermath of a <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/09/hurricane-irma-reflections-on-life.html" target="_blank">life forever changed from that hurricane</a>. What I haven't written about is our boat, and what happened to her.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
Those of us who live on boats know that they are more than <i>"just boats"</i>. They become an extension of us, a part of our family and they become our <i>home</i>. Our boats weather storms and rough seas, they deliver us to safe harbor and new horizons. They are dreams and adventures and hopes and wonder all molded into a shiny, fiberglass hull. Most live-aboards meticulously care for their boats, as not doing so can become a matter of life and death... We are intimate with their bellies, their quirks, and how they need to be handled "just so" in certain situations. We fall in love with them and refer to them as a <i>"she"</i>. Most of us treat them as such, with tender love and respect...We become very attached to our boats because of the tremendous amount of blood, sweat and tears we put into them. To boaters, our vessels are not inanimate objects, they have souls...<br />
<br />
Ours was no different.<br />
<br />
Due to the fact that our beautiful Tayana, Legato, <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/02/we-bought-new-boat-but-why-method.html" target="_blank">was a new-to-us boat</a>, she was unable to take us on all the adventures we wished for her, the trips we had planned for this coming season and beyond... She was taken from us too soon. But our short time with her didn't dampen our love of her; just as it doesn't take long for a mother to fall in love with a newborn baby, falling in love with a boat happens quickly. She was to be our "forever" boat <i>(if there is such a thing)</i> and she was about as close to perfect for us as we could have imagined. She was strong and safe, she sailed wonderfully and she was beautiful. She was <i>soooo </i>beautiful. What do they call it? <i>"House proud?"</i> Yeah, I was <i>"boat proud"</i>. We loved her so much. We were very happy living in her cozy belly.<br />
<br />
Of all the things I imagined - even worst-case scenario style - I never imagined her sinking.<br />
<br />
After Irma struck and we were able to confirm our loved ones and friends were safe, we were able to focus on what exactly happened to Legato. As word and images began to trickle out of our home marina of Nanny Cay, it became apparent that our boat was not in the tangled mess of masts and hulls pushed ashore. <i>"We can't see your boat anywhere"</i> our friend wrote us. <i>"We are so sorry. We have been looking."</i> And, despite a few folks (Scott included) holding out the *sliver* of hope that she'd be found somewhere else entirely, we all knew deep down that she'd sunk.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8RKWF6Y7wwnWJGPJAi5XicnvJaf0vjaveytiIqjZoEYlYhJPBG3c3-_ifxgv346wCh4C2QaMWgnzp2BIwyRb0NC5SDU7FoPCdcqzQBuRFofdwcfGVDikp6Jv3zcQQ1397MndmA/s1600/nannycaypostirma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8RKWF6Y7wwnWJGPJAi5XicnvJaf0vjaveytiIqjZoEYlYhJPBG3c3-_ifxgv346wCh4C2QaMWgnzp2BIwyRb0NC5SDU7FoPCdcqzQBuRFofdwcfGVDikp6Jv3zcQQ1397MndmA/s640/nannycaypostirma.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As pictures like these emerged from Nanny Cay, it became clear our boat was not afloat. Note the 60 foot catamaran flipped over on land like a toy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Weeks went by and we heard nothing of our boat. And then, one dreary afternoon as I was crafting with the girls, I got the message from my friend, Charlotte:<br />
<br />
<i>"Oh Brittany</i><br />
<i>They found her</i><br />
<i>I'm so sorry</i><br />
<i>She's been under this whole time."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
She paused and then finished with:<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"I took a picture but let me know when you're ready"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I told her I was ready. But I wasn't ready.<br />
<br />
How can one be ready to see their beloved home in such a state? I immediately burst into tears as I saw the sorry picture of our home and a well of emotion that had been in hiding for the previous few weeks opened up with a vengeance.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjv0kpAXyTf46Llt2uoy8zLw_kb_yCvfTQTHGu_jbzgksoWrXAao1t1lFhItZ5Zq_RJv26wDmsSO_W8Q5-ggJifHe6D08HJS5Cgz4_NGVJI0RqUkM83YbB7MRxrjTKD8vbD5R9TQ/s1600/lifted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="1600" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjv0kpAXyTf46Llt2uoy8zLw_kb_yCvfTQTHGu_jbzgksoWrXAao1t1lFhItZ5Zq_RJv26wDmsSO_W8Q5-ggJifHe6D08HJS5Cgz4_NGVJI0RqUkM83YbB7MRxrjTKD8vbD5R9TQ/s640/lifted.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first picture I saw of our boat after Irma, she is being lifted off the bottom here. Hardly recognizable.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Imagining our boat; all our carefully selected things, our children's' treasures and toys, and all that we had worked so hard for sitting for a month on the silty bottom of the marina floor was too much. My mind imagined our saloon filled with water, dark and murky. The pillows, the clothes, maybe a few things were floating around weightlessly? The eerie stillness and silence of a watery grave...I imagined all our kids beloved books, slowly disintegrating where they were stacked so carefully on the shelf...their stuffed animals, sodden with dirty marina water, laying haphazardly where their final float deposited them...all the woodwork, paper work, tools, electronics...it took us an entire month to shift all our belongings from our old boat to Legato...my mind raced through the inventory aboard, the memories that were, and those that were never to be...<br />
<br />
<i>What happened?</i> I wondered as I looked at the wreck of carnage that was once our home. <i>What did her in? Was it our own rig? The rig of another boat? A piling from the broken docks? Maybe it was the corner of one of those cement blocks that were found all over the marina? Those used to be in the water...What *was* it?</i><br />
<br />
The answer to these questions will likely never be known, but it is clear that <i>something</i> punctured her starboard side, just at the waterline. That hole - such a seemingly small yet incredibly significant thing - was what took down our boat and all our belongings inside of her. Have you ever seen water rushing into a boat from a hole below the waterline? The force is incredible and terrifying from even the smallest puncture and it's amazing how quickly water will accumulate. I imagine that fateful moment of impact and how quickly water flooded in, filling our boat at an alarming rate. Our bilge pump wouldn't even have put a dent in it...but our newly installed high water alarm might have sounded for a few moments before it, too, was under. Our boat went down fast, that much is certain. I imagine the water rising, covering all our rugs that I so carefully selected, the floor boards floating up, releasing all the contents kept underneath them. I imagine the water quickly submerging the girl's toy box, their dollies and blocks joining in the frenzied floating fray, and water rising up past the settees and to our bookshelf... All the electronics, the crafting cubby and the pictures on our walls ...I imagine the chaos and swirling water and debris down below as even greater mayhem reigned outside. And I imagine her going down, settling on the murky bottom to die with a soft thud.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdm1GhQUFBqeXy2DlgGaPbMJJH3orTAe-8-ITG8-K4Yk_xbVVvgLimOBws0M_Pt3zGPygDOn6hz_TPTIEObV-xOvcB7sCSnoKzMFFII3MfJYLvw5qPlU0EOi4L6ML6DwHD2ROHw/s1600/boat6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdm1GhQUFBqeXy2DlgGaPbMJJH3orTAe-8-ITG8-K4Yk_xbVVvgLimOBws0M_Pt3zGPygDOn6hz_TPTIEObV-xOvcB7sCSnoKzMFFII3MfJYLvw5qPlU0EOi4L6ML6DwHD2ROHw/s640/boat6.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few inches higher and she might have still stayed floating...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While at first I was confused why no one could find a sign of our boat for a solid month after the storm, it became clear later when the diver who found her told Scott that there is only one foot visibility at the moment, and that they are locating boats on the bottom by touch. He met Scott, had a beer with him at the beach bar and offered his condolences. <i>"When I found your boat, I put my hands on her and thought, 'Damn, this was a nice boat'"</i> he told him. And she was. She was a really, really nice boat - and a very comfortable and lovely home. And even though a boat is replaceable, we grieve the loss.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
As much as Irma took from us, we are among the lucky. We are alive and healthy and young. We were insured and as such, our "stuff" can and will be replaced, and -<i> yes </i>(spoiler alert!) - we will eventually get another boat. It's amazing how something like this puts a whole new perspective on life and what is important. At my lowest moments post-Irma I would immediately think, <i>"But what if I lost a child today? I would then wish for where I am <u>right now...</u>" </i>Suddenly, losing our house, livelihood and things - while shitty - didn't seem like a big deal. Things can be replaced, lives can be rebuilt and communities can heal... I am grateful that we are/were so lucky. We have an amazing support network around us, a fantastic community to return to and we have resources at our disposal. While we mourn the loss of the beautiful home we lost and all she took down with her, we will cherish the memories as we look forward to what lies ahead... This is a single chapter in the story of our life...the adventures will continue.<br />
<br />
<i>RIP s/v Legato</i><br />
<i>Tayana 48<br />Lost to Hurricane Irma</i><br />
<i>September 6, 2017</i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40NFzbTR_tB2mHHhjsQc4Hbc6ZqJXX5groTcUsOPJqCdzD2_7tPfa6t18mdkdhpjOytyu29RxMz1rvx-F-hzdZYMamQ-JjBGQOgOLETSN5dyb3ikZB7P1Xq9xnuvmzQBdsN-t9A/s1600/boat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40NFzbTR_tB2mHHhjsQc4Hbc6ZqJXX5groTcUsOPJqCdzD2_7tPfa6t18mdkdhpjOytyu29RxMz1rvx-F-hzdZYMamQ-JjBGQOgOLETSN5dyb3ikZB7P1Xq9xnuvmzQBdsN-t9A/s640/boat2.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott has been going aboard almost daily to try to salvage things. Not easy as the boat is at a 45 degree angle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnm1S9flc1maK-eX_eLcbuSwSr82eJK2no_kIiDwKO0v3MtZTylFHApnIegkj1zXKe3GWE74BWRU9ZduOSyt2xKu8kpcl75l51Ivnw64PEzJNNMFttLxGkqbG_j4btLN8HvbnOQ/s1600/boat4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnm1S9flc1maK-eX_eLcbuSwSr82eJK2no_kIiDwKO0v3MtZTylFHApnIegkj1zXKe3GWE74BWRU9ZduOSyt2xKu8kpcl75l51Ivnw64PEzJNNMFttLxGkqbG_j4btLN8HvbnOQ/s640/boat4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">So sad to see such a mess and imagine all the garbage this one single boat has produced.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWUAu1JmzQQAkHb2a60BHHSP0hldKXAwSUV1GDu4iCcPGSQpCbXmvMgDEAGbyaREkQvrdOnkRjX_95LBI1NCOKoBrJQWo_vhaxoD9KevddMlYptd7S15qGgAXmB1HwMgyaR-H_g/s1600/boat9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1004" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWUAu1JmzQQAkHb2a60BHHSP0hldKXAwSUV1GDu4iCcPGSQpCbXmvMgDEAGbyaREkQvrdOnkRjX_95LBI1NCOKoBrJQWo_vhaxoD9KevddMlYptd7S15qGgAXmB1HwMgyaR-H_g/s640/boat9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very sorry state for what was once such a regal and beautiful boat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl28-B-4ZrIhAOtNikqz7AoDEtm9ZjPsGN39yTcsdLwLFgorLvXPXx-5A8cjhCcdFq8QXoE3skQOU2LJ2nZZC9-yPj-Al_4HF4vSXjzh8UopqNIrZ5turm9Di6sl5lP0F6Oe_c1w/s1600/boat11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl28-B-4ZrIhAOtNikqz7AoDEtm9ZjPsGN39yTcsdLwLFgorLvXPXx-5A8cjhCcdFq8QXoE3skQOU2LJ2nZZC9-yPj-Al_4HF4vSXjzh8UopqNIrZ5turm9Di6sl5lP0F6Oe_c1w/s640/boat11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tangled mess of lines and rigging is hard to even comprehend. It gives you a tiny idea of Irma's power</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipp0RY_TXEtjlgKYS-bkvwbvRdCNIS7ZidQfJh8dLKDzQpmdlqOTyeYDw_hfg3SaBEoZeKnCAkFrKGzIL983uufFNXOrl4qho9H_cP0x8z8wNpL5sLpV_0mefXr85Nr21LEe_yQ/s1600/boat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="826" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipp0RY_TXEtjlgKYS-bkvwbvRdCNIS7ZidQfJh8dLKDzQpmdlqOTyeYDw_hfg3SaBEoZeKnCAkFrKGzIL983uufFNXOrl4qho9H_cP0x8z8wNpL5sLpV_0mefXr85Nr21LEe_yQ/s640/boat1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Legato in what has become the boat graveyard at Nanny Cay.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3yS-n4Rb6pcUSERlGymqkHtftR2T1Rrj19GNf5cM9Sysvtn9g99Ou7Mtuho_QYmoJ7EhmL-eVFaQauqmZWubtdNOJBsc1RXFAm6XXRRCUBz-TWURbSc7-lFOLOHibrs4e_uYLw/s1600/boat10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="972" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3yS-n4Rb6pcUSERlGymqkHtftR2T1Rrj19GNf5cM9Sysvtn9g99Ou7Mtuho_QYmoJ7EhmL-eVFaQauqmZWubtdNOJBsc1RXFAm6XXRRCUBz-TWURbSc7-lFOLOHibrs4e_uYLw/s640/boat10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott has, amazingly managed to salvage some of the kids things...legos, dinosaurs, some dress up clothes, a tea set...as horrible as plastic is for the ocean, we are grateful to be able to keep some of these things. He even rescued some stuffed animals that after a good soak in disinfectant and a few wash cycles are good as new! Our chain, anchor, and dishes have also been salvaged. Every little bit counts. Note: He propped up this bear and dolly so I could show the girls that the toys were safe together...</td></tr>
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Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-86431847443860284982017-10-17T15:46:00.001-05:002017-10-17T23:25:40.658-05:00The Annapolis Boat Show: A Salve to My Soul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuAYRpGJlxyf6Wu5Q9hf0hyphenhyphenfcNjgTF2ZDLS1yHQGZGpYgxsmhNwaq7RzTIgYJUhtmjmAsLUnqpB9DSueyWrysJea40kPpHwxoYUbPAd1qAzNxAi036v-GuA27Xguj16f86zJUGw/s1600/IMG_4278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuAYRpGJlxyf6Wu5Q9hf0hyphenhyphenfcNjgTF2ZDLS1yHQGZGpYgxsmhNwaq7RzTIgYJUhtmjmAsLUnqpB9DSueyWrysJea40kPpHwxoYUbPAd1qAzNxAi036v-GuA27Xguj16f86zJUGw/s640/IMG_4278.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am currently coming down from the high that was the Annapolis Boat Show</span>. To think I almost didn't go...it blows my mind because, for me, it was more than a boat show; it was a<i> cathartic salve to my soul</i>. It was long embraces from friends, tears shed with longtime blog followers, and deep belly laughs over too much tequila with my sailing brothers and sisters. It was meeting online pals in real life for the first time, being stopped when walking from A to B by blog followers just wanting to say hi and express support and it was raising money and awareness for our beloved British Virgin Islands...The Annapolis Boat Show was so very much to me but more than anything it was a reminder of one of the main reason's we love being sailors and living aboard: <i><u>the community.</u></i><br />
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Going to the boat show was not even on my radar. A few weeks ago, however, I got a message with the generous offer to stay at the home of some friends of friends, free of charge. They had extended the invitation to a few other folks in the form of a group message, mostly bloggers and vloggers (all of whom are dear friends, Tasha from <b><i><a href="http://turftosurf.com/" target="_blank">Turf to Surf</a></i></b> and Cat and Will from <b><i><a href="http://mondaynever.com/" target="_blank">Monday Never</a></i></b> to name a few) and finished the note with <i>"It will be great to get you all together."</i> I agreed. It was uncertain how Scott and I could make this happen (child care for three littles is not easy, thank you to Scott's mom for saving the day!), but, due to a nagging gut feeling of "needing" to go, we <i>did</i> make it happen and the weekend was marked on our calendar.<br />
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As often happens with plans in the sailing world, things changed and less than a week before we were to fly to Baltimore, our friends at Nanny Cay found our boat at the bottom of the marina. A tailspin of sadness and heartbreak washed over us as we saw the pictures of Legato being hauled from the sea, and despite knowing her fate, the pictures were salt on our very raw wounds. <i>"I need to go to Tortola"</i> Scott solemnly told me two days before the show. <i>"I have to go down and see it all and try to figure out how to get our life back on track."</i> And with that, it was decided that he would go to Tortola, and I would go to Annapolis by myself.<br />
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We had been housing Puerto Rican evacuee-turned-friend Diana Margarita since Hurricane Maria, she and I met online immediately after Irma and had been coordinating relief efforts together. In an incredible and very serendipitous turn of events, she not only became our roommate here in Chicago after being evacuated pre-Maria, but also became the Executive Director of the relief group <b><i><a href="https://www.sailorshelping.org/" target="_blank">Sailors Helping</a>.</i></b> As such, she had a very relevant place at the show. We traveled together, two hurricane displaced and emotionally drained island girls, and we emerged from the show buoyed by the love and support of our community.<br />
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There was much work to do at the show and it started almost immediately upon landing. I had over 400 t-shirts to sell and when I saw the multitude of boxes my heart sank, <i>"How on <u>earth</u> will I sell all these?" </i>I thought to myself. It seemed impossible. Luckily I had some friends and volunteers help me out, not the least of which is one of my most favorite longtime sailing/blogger friends Tasha, from <b><i><a href="http://turftosurf.com/" target="_blank">Turf to Surf</a></i></b> and <b><i><a href="http://chasethestory.com/" target="_blank">Chase the Story</a></i></b>. Together we were a dynamic duo, and with the help of my neighbor Claudia and her family, as well as the awesome duo behind <i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://sailinglunasea.com/" target="_blank">Sailing Lunasea</a> </i>and Diana of <b><i><a href="https://www.sailorshelping.org/" target="_blank">Sailors Helping</a></i></b>, we sold out of everything in under four days. I could not believe it. Humongous thanks to our good friends Mia and Andy from <b><i><a href="https://www.59-north.com/" target="_blank">59 North Sailing</a></i></b> for letting us squat in their booth when the BVI Tourism Board was unable to accommodate us (apparently it did not have a 'sell' license). Our booth was <i>"the"</i> booth and was always hopping', the love for the BVI is legit!<br />
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I was also invited to speak on a Cruising World Magazine panel geared toward boats heading south and what was to be expected. My Puerto Rican friend Diana was on the panel with me, as well as fellow boat mama, circumnavigator and longtime online friend, Behan Gifford of <b><i><a href="http://www.sailingtotem.com/" target="_blank">Sailing Totem</a></i></b>. Meeting her was amazing. We squealed, embraced, and both shed a few tears out of sheer joy of finally meeting in person, as well as some tears in solidarity. As a fellow boat mom and live-aboard, she completely empathized with our situation. The panel was a great success and the message was clear: the islands will prevail! <i>"Our beaches are still golden, our water still blue, and our drinks are still cold!"</i> The subject matter requires a separate blog post, which will come, but all in all, it was a great discussion and another chance to share the stage with and meet some amazing people.<br />
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After being on our feet and talking all day <i>(I have a whole new respect for anyone that does trade shows like this for a living!)</i> we'd retire as a group to the "Casa de Bach" where we ate, drank, and talked about everything under the sun while being surrounded by like-minded sea-gypsy souls. I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to be sitting on a porch enveloped by people who "get" you; people with whom you already share so much in common that friendship happens instantly. We all stayed up way too late, drank way too much, but the laughter - <i>oh the laughter! </i>- it was so, so good for my soul. I am smiling ear to ear thinking about it.<br />
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By the weekend's end, I'd lost my voice, was completely exhausted and felt like my legs had run a marathon, but what was depleted from me physically during my four frenetic days in Annapolis, was replaced<i> ten-fold </i>emotionally. I was as high as a kite leaving that place... Hopped up on joy. Walking on sunshine. On cloud nine.... Bonds were deepened, new friendships forged, and I was again reminded that if we have good people around us to make us laugh, hold us tight and empathize with our hurt, we have everything we need to move forward.<br />
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Community by definition is: <i>a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals</i>, and Annapolis showed me that we not only have this, but we have it <i>in spades</i>.<br />
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*</div>
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<i>Thank you again Jeff and Cam for forcing me out of my comfort zone and bubble of post-Irma-ness (for lack of a better word) - and opening your home so generously to me and all the others. We love you both so much! Your kindness and generosity will never be forgotten!</i><br />
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<i>If you like the shirts and hats you see in these photos, <b><u><a href="http://www.remembertheadventure.com/bvistrong" target="_blank">PLEASE BUY SOME</a></u></b>! </i></div>
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<i>All proceeds go to the VISAR BVI Relief Fund. Thank you so much.</i></div>
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<i>We are also still accepting donations for our BVI relief efforts <b><a href="https://www.youcaring.com/bviimmediaterelief-943806" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>. </i></div>
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<i>Help us reach our goal of $200K!</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6q7f1zeo8gKZSmEJz8ji3JZ8RS8L6EnOWSHe07QRxzUhtiA2NLLydaz8VpfsowlFtkDmRL8JUsiVHB9kA7rhnO-kj_rtg7uSXOikG2E0yjTE14DI1olJsVlD0eaGIk6zkhve7yg/s1600/IMG_4259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1486" data-original-width="1600" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6q7f1zeo8gKZSmEJz8ji3JZ8RS8L6EnOWSHe07QRxzUhtiA2NLLydaz8VpfsowlFtkDmRL8JUsiVHB9kA7rhnO-kj_rtg7uSXOikG2E0yjTE14DI1olJsVlD0eaGIk6zkhve7yg/s640/IMG_4259.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diana and I working the Virgin Unite Fundraiser party on our first night.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmaYqPscOWy9bzokXY7Wf6tmOPW2MMxtTcksAaAiWry-MiAV7Ro2QMY8HtLitDnqP0XFqiwiZQEKPrHaBJ0VThKuaDwHhUQY1v2CgsEOPl2nxXIv7Ax55j4H4iBKjkkxYyAhvBw/s1600/IMG_4262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmaYqPscOWy9bzokXY7Wf6tmOPW2MMxtTcksAaAiWry-MiAV7Ro2QMY8HtLitDnqP0XFqiwiZQEKPrHaBJ0VThKuaDwHhUQY1v2CgsEOPl2nxXIv7Ax55j4H4iBKjkkxYyAhvBw/s640/IMG_4262.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two. Seeing them was SO emotional. They are our neighbors at Nanny Cay. Here they are, working to rebuild our amazing Nanny Cay community from afar...they are back on the ground now and we cannot wait to see them soon!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FUPMR1cc7Jv4ouqv0Te17EaN6aJIrxrcRaYi9dmbFa-z_0ye9-czQHliTo34MzIZCSysnFd3PFm1dteHL5fBgqXhK30K6kCHKe4esrJPvQ33-Ml_3-L-Hxa2X2oxD-skdgc8-w/s1600/IMG_4263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FUPMR1cc7Jv4ouqv0Te17EaN6aJIrxrcRaYi9dmbFa-z_0ye9-czQHliTo34MzIZCSysnFd3PFm1dteHL5fBgqXhK30K6kCHKe4esrJPvQ33-Ml_3-L-Hxa2X2oxD-skdgc8-w/s640/IMG_4263.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sailing badass Andy Schell of the <b><i><a href="https://www.59-north.com/" target="_blank">59 North Podcast</a></i></b>. Not only a super nice guy, but a super accomplished sailor. His wife Mia is equally bad ass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dwqSBpYNcbxYc5WueH-w-xvd4Md52-LIpMtuknUrrMSUUHb8k7oAbJTtuAE3pggMvN3287aGRaKS39s4ckK4ur6XEJQi9JQRlaMWS2an88p156EZqku8Fg-BEAU1tEJd7dE3ZQ/s1600/IMG_4264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dwqSBpYNcbxYc5WueH-w-xvd4Md52-LIpMtuknUrrMSUUHb8k7oAbJTtuAE3pggMvN3287aGRaKS39s4ckK4ur6XEJQi9JQRlaMWS2an88p156EZqku8Fg-BEAU1tEJd7dE3ZQ/s640/IMG_4264.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C is for Community! Mia Karlsson of <b><i><a href="https://www.59-north.com/" target="_blank">59 North Sailing</a></i></b> (love her!), and Nanny Cay neighbors Claudia, Ted and Anne.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHvjEdb0TMwm8jctfmRohxW9ETiyHe7LK9EzKRgUpShV9xPv3Z62JFDkIZi1dG-E8BrmdtHVlarsz3pPLCb3Cl69vO2YYf98kRnNsc_ceZckIzdJK9C_qJ6cByHcA8Qs1EfKYHQ/s1600/IMG_4267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHvjEdb0TMwm8jctfmRohxW9ETiyHe7LK9EzKRgUpShV9xPv3Z62JFDkIZi1dG-E8BrmdtHVlarsz3pPLCb3Cl69vO2YYf98kRnNsc_ceZckIzdJK9C_qJ6cByHcA8Qs1EfKYHQ/s640/IMG_4267.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">My partner in crime in all things. Tasha from <b><i><a href="http://turftosurf.com/" target="_blank">Turf to Surf</a></i></b>. An amazing human and friend.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlF-XwbQ4SbfNxhP_eUbmjkUWC216UoYfL1xhgD5aPOein8F0JdUUIk-t6_GXhmcyflOTLvgIgiJ9tciBbCtOlkZ9F8YPFeC7kIDCJjYOCP_6F-pmm_T3L9Z2avCOtQUECDIo4w/s1600/IMG_4268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1523" data-original-width="1600" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlF-XwbQ4SbfNxhP_eUbmjkUWC216UoYfL1xhgD5aPOein8F0JdUUIk-t6_GXhmcyflOTLvgIgiJ9tciBbCtOlkZ9F8YPFeC7kIDCJjYOCP_6F-pmm_T3L9Z2avCOtQUECDIo4w/s640/IMG_4268.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD! Terysa and Nick of <b><i><a href="http://yachtrubyrose.com/" target="_blank">Sailing Yacht Ruby Rose</a></i></b>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tLzV35xmlcEK_q_4_ikrG5cr6Boc1p2D4LqbcggLzTSqwgmeL7DupZa7o5Z2MP6qo_VU_ytMcYfq5cuCjfV_UnT_Ppspz0Bm1Rm_ArzwkZvBQx58hn7KpKCvxsMSir91Lo43zQ/s1600/IMG_4270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tLzV35xmlcEK_q_4_ikrG5cr6Boc1p2D4LqbcggLzTSqwgmeL7DupZa7o5Z2MP6qo_VU_ytMcYfq5cuCjfV_UnT_Ppspz0Bm1Rm_ArzwkZvBQx58hn7KpKCvxsMSir91Lo43zQ/s640/IMG_4270.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Party people. We work hard, we play hard. Tasha of <b><i><a href="http://turftosurf.com/" target="_blank">Turf to Surf</a></i></b>, Will from <b><i><a href="http://mondaynever.com/" target="_blank">Monday Never</a></i></b>, and Me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sL7LrkXoeJNVCdkEql04edBA2B6b551q_pY2xWYwH0CczLjvAzINot1vVi8oBM5Nptq_Qn7MqJ7o5RMOHpnYHs6AgGiYpvfrRxJ0OKiqL9iqjwi6y85o7fxcV6dxk3cciII5DA/s1600/IMG_4138.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sL7LrkXoeJNVCdkEql04edBA2B6b551q_pY2xWYwH0CczLjvAzINot1vVi8oBM5Nptq_Qn7MqJ7o5RMOHpnYHs6AgGiYpvfrRxJ0OKiqL9iqjwi6y85o7fxcV6dxk3cciII5DA/s640/IMG_4138.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVE THESE TWO. Seriously meeting them was a highlight. Jennifer and Mark of <b><i><a href="http://sailinglunasea.com/" target="_blank">Sailing Lunasea</a></i></b>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Ow59EML8yuhRb5NKsZ_h4eOyUymMNeZim8NwyNmJ1IcFcouZE7yKbpI1L1Eny9KjPOEIJ0cITePL5S7uaeDUDFd6ENpRnq3v1KXIEOmXAmcW_eOFjr5CJXv9pOG7dqvva4eAPA/s1600/IMG_4276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Ow59EML8yuhRb5NKsZ_h4eOyUymMNeZim8NwyNmJ1IcFcouZE7yKbpI1L1Eny9KjPOEIJ0cITePL5S7uaeDUDFd6ENpRnq3v1KXIEOmXAmcW_eOFjr5CJXv9pOG7dqvva4eAPA/s640/IMG_4276.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">How long have I known Carolyn Sherlock from <b><i><a href="https://theboatgalley.com/" target="_blank">The Boat Galley</a></i></b>? A long time. She replaced my sunken copy of her amazng cookbook for free. Because she's amazing like that. Love her.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIjdxAwY080PLtfrX3KXRvrPwKZqzMyjt0yWpGlRFcDG4J7mGF0LrMncaA77nWk3xUGEBRyG_ST3FrjFbNOOgII7FR5YvBPInVOUjV874o2TbeCrC4ICds5df27aQrOSGkOoRaQ/s1600/IMG_4277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1297" data-original-width="1600" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIjdxAwY080PLtfrX3KXRvrPwKZqzMyjt0yWpGlRFcDG4J7mGF0LrMncaA77nWk3xUGEBRyG_ST3FrjFbNOOgII7FR5YvBPInVOUjV874o2TbeCrC4ICds5df27aQrOSGkOoRaQ/s640/IMG_4277.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">I love these two. Cat from <a href="http://mondaynever.com/" target="_blank"><b><i>Monday Never</i></b></a>, Terysa from <b><i><a href="http://yachtrubyrose.com/" target="_blank">Ruby Rose</a></i></b>, and me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzDy3ORSru6nMCiEeG1Wxq9VD07zPudE43RiWFOpHsMBAq0O141AB3idMS37ZpLUN4CAyuXNqRLfg4FaZl5RMOkT7PaXa2GjKQVnMVYjwMb37aWyYoTUwRktf9guH5Ne92s4okA/s1600/IMG_4279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1238" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzDy3ORSru6nMCiEeG1Wxq9VD07zPudE43RiWFOpHsMBAq0O141AB3idMS37ZpLUN4CAyuXNqRLfg4FaZl5RMOkT7PaXa2GjKQVnMVYjwMb37aWyYoTUwRktf9guH5Ne92s4okA/s640/IMG_4279.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Old friends Paul and Sheryl Shard of the television show <b><i><a href="https://www.distantshores.ca/" target="_blank">Distant Shores</a></i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjuyOkvpo3wFQfadnY1HAHMHO1aI0MThBJcP820DDrZe0TZMbo5KFUU8Jc0Ri_gxOhvlvXRTWjbzVWSagXtqoidzF_qOhAxTM0tU2uad7Psp4GjpBMeJ8PeoanS968SmuJ82TeA/s1600/IMG_4165.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjuyOkvpo3wFQfadnY1HAHMHO1aI0MThBJcP820DDrZe0TZMbo5KFUU8Jc0Ri_gxOhvlvXRTWjbzVWSagXtqoidzF_qOhAxTM0tU2uad7Psp4GjpBMeJ8PeoanS968SmuJ82TeA/s640/IMG_4165.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After hours shenanigans. The shenanigan game was strong with this posse. Megan from Missing Vissers was another highlight new friend.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeQoz2P45OukIFqSN3PWpgixhOo4DgxGAwhIJSWem7Zynbztn7amEm9-s8jHgqT4piShMm1YBECEC5Q3R0e5UtS2gJRE2kG2TcmT7c6mOTmxlftpFXGHF0LlF1Kf7gj4mdJd50g/s1600/IMG_4281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeQoz2P45OukIFqSN3PWpgixhOo4DgxGAwhIJSWem7Zynbztn7amEm9-s8jHgqT4piShMm1YBECEC5Q3R0e5UtS2gJRE2kG2TcmT7c6mOTmxlftpFXGHF0LlF1Kf7gj4mdJd50g/s640/IMG_4281.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">So. Much. Laughing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXI7eYSJxpirMpDhzXV9Y5_J5roDNi1NB9WxMCAPfWfkcRI2Bw52ID-vhIbcJxaW5BSjtq2UqowXRdEAGeDCFPgAGbwVFRnFQs_k7FWE-eT39RqDbUXSxzR9oSltx8f7v0tcs5SA/s1600/IMG_4192.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXI7eYSJxpirMpDhzXV9Y5_J5roDNi1NB9WxMCAPfWfkcRI2Bw52ID-vhIbcJxaW5BSjtq2UqowXRdEAGeDCFPgAGbwVFRnFQs_k7FWE-eT39RqDbUXSxzR9oSltx8f7v0tcs5SA/s640/IMG_4192.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad-ass boat girls who pretty much make my world a better place. I love them all.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4Vw5mXdQarHmI0LBVC7LfxcaOe5XcORTwY9STiJcIkU0HZMTsyk4gMmFBBuHJ1pEJglju-dMFgoWeQly1HoLCqEx-nXwlyT4AnuNBZDZN8TEWPeqfU8rIvxLfyY0nsiTD2-T0A/s1600/IMG_4223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4Vw5mXdQarHmI0LBVC7LfxcaOe5XcORTwY9STiJcIkU0HZMTsyk4gMmFBBuHJ1pEJglju-dMFgoWeQly1HoLCqEx-nXwlyT4AnuNBZDZN8TEWPeqfU8rIvxLfyY0nsiTD2-T0A/s640/IMG_4223.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My partner in crime, Tasha, at the end of the show. Photo courtesy of the Annapolis Boat Show.</td></tr>
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<br />Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-68766113415237373802017-10-02T11:24:00.001-05:002017-10-02T13:52:26.047-05:00Life After Irma<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Life goes on</span>. This is the most comforting, and yet hardest aspect to grasp post Irma. I walked through Target the other day, meandering the aisles and taking stock of the obscene amount of stuff filling every shelf (some of which I admittedly put in my cart). I could not stop thinking of my friends and fellow islanders on St. Maarten, BVI, USVI, Domenica and Puerto Rico who wait for hours and hours to get basic staples, who walk for miles to charge their devices and attempt to connect with loved ones...who's lives have taken on a completely different purpose and weight, and for whom basic survival is a daily game. What would they think of this Target trip, I wondered? These are people for whom a roof, a shower and a flushing toilet are luxuries. Target? What a joke. But life goes on...<br />
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There are two camps of people who have emerged from this storm; those who lived through the horror of it (and by almost all accounts, it was absolutely terrifying) and those of us who are residents and watched from afar as the horror unfolded. The experiences for each - both <i>pre</i> and <i>post</i> storm - are different, but the end result is the same: Every single one of our lives have been changed forever. Many of us lost our homes and most all of our worldly belongings. Many of us lost jobs and businesses. Not a single one of us came out unscathed. An entire geographic area's inhabitants (not to mention our islands) are permanently scarred from #irmaria and while each of our scars are unique, they are there. The side-effects of the trauma of an <i>entire life </i>completely turned upside down are vast. And we will all feel the after-shocks of Hurricane Irma for a very, <i>very</i> long time.<br />
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As most of you know, we are in the Chicagoland area where we plan to stay for the time being. And - despite the unfortunate circumstances - it's wonderful here. We are surrounded by amazing family (<i>Mom, you are the best! Thank you for everything!)</i> and have many friends - new and old - nearby. Isla is enrolled in kindergarten and I walk her to school hand in hand every day as leaves crunch under our feet while we chit-chat. She has fit in seamlessly and absolutely loves it and all her new friends, who come running up to her to envelop her in hugs as we arrive at the school doors. Haven and Mira attend a little pre-school two mornings a week where they play and paint and they too love it. Not a single morning has been met with tears or protests of not going. They are adaptable and social children and we are very proud and grateful for that. They are all in dance class twice a week and swim class on Mondays...and, honestly, are as happy as ever. They miss our boat, they ask after their island friends daily and are excited to go back and rebuild (<i>"We are gonna bring food and water to Nanny Cay momma!"</i> they say. The lack of food and water immediately after the storm is something they really clung to). As much as we want to go back and try to rebuild our life and business on Tortola, the time is not now. We need to assure it's safe and that schools are running, and we need to prepare our girls for what will be a very different - <i>albeit interesting</i> - life when we return (we are up for the adventure and challenge). In the meantime, life needs to continue while we make a plan moving forward. To anyone that sees us out and about on the streets here, we are just another suburban family living our life. But there is so much more below the surface. It's strange to think about and I am now hyper aware that everyone has a story. How many people do I mindlessly walk past in the grocery store are deep in pain; maybe they are going through a divorce, lost a loved one, suffer depression, or battle addiction...we just never know. This experience has really driven this fact home for me: that life goes on as normal for the people around us even though our lives will never be the same.<br />
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As someone who studied theater most of her life and leans toward positive-thinking I can very easily put on a happy face out and about, but the pain of uncertainty, the sting of losing our beloved home and the general feeling of being untethered is always there. I have strange dreams every night. One in which our boat was lifted from the depths of the harbor, in perfect condition and ready to sail again. Another I was making my way across post-apocolyptic Tortola on foot trying desperately to get back to Nanny Cay. The storm and it's effects on us are etched deep within our psyches, obviously. Keeping busy helps, and the kids are great at keeping us busy. Helping where we can is also a boon to the pain. Our fundraising efforts have blown us away and we have all of you to thank for that. At the time of this post we have raised over $160K for relief and rebuilding efforts in the British Virgin Islands. To think that our first "goal" was $10K might illustrate our shock at this large number. Our friends, family and online community is huge and generous and we thank every single one of you. We have spent about $80K so far on tarps, generators and chainsaws and are going to be working closely with other organizations who are on the ground in the BVI to make sure our money goes where it's most needed. This is easier said than done (File this under: <i>lessons learned in disaster relief</i>), which is why it is taking some time, but every penny will get into hands of people and organizations on the ground working to rebuild our beautiful island. If you have not donated and feel the urge to do so, you can here: >>><a href="https://www.youcaring.com/bviimmediaterelief-943806" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: underline;" target="_blank">BVI IMMEDIATE RELIEF FUND</a><<<.<br />
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<i>IN OTHER NEWS</i>: we have been invited to the <a href="http://www.annapolisboatshows.com/" target="_blank"><b><i>Annapolis Boat Show</i></b></a> next weekend by a couple of very generous souls (<i>Thank you SO MUCH Jeff and Cam Bach!</i>) We are SO excited about this and while it didn't seem like we could make it at first, I felt this deep "need" - almost a calling of sorts - to go, and my gut was telling me it was important... So we have made it happen. We will be joining many blog and vlog friends there; some of whom we already know and love, some of whom we have never yet met in person. I might be speaking on a Cruising World Panel about ways sailors can help and what to expect sailing south. Check in with our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sailwindtraveler/" target="_blank"><b><i>Facebook Page</i></b></a> for updates on where we will be and when. It will be a very busy weekend for sure but we'd love to meet as many of you as we can... Scott and I, along with others, will be at the BVI Tourism booth selling our #BVISTRONG shirts and all proceeds will be going to the >>><a href="https://www.youcaring.com/residentsofthebritishvirginislands-942353" target="_blank"><b>VISAR BVI RELIEF </b><b>FUND</b></a><<<. If you won't be at the show and want to sport some #BVISTRONG gear yourself, you can get tee shirts (men, women, toddler and kids styles available), baby onesies, hoodies and trucker hats >>><a href="http://www.remembertheadventure.com/bvistrong" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a><<<. Huge shout out to the awesome folks behind >>> <a href="https://tightlittletribe.com/" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: underline;" target="_blank">Tight Little Tribe</a><<<<b style="text-decoration-line: underline;"> </b>and >>><a href="http://www.remembertheadventure.com/shop" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: underline;" target="_blank">Remember the Adventure</a><<< for working with me on this and making it happen so fast. We have raised thousands for VISAR with this initiative while also sporting our pride! Please give them some love. I also want to give a strong shout out to the group >>><a href="https://www.sailorshelping.org/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Sailors Helping</a><<<. Aside from housing their newly appointed executive director (and PR evacuee turned pseudo family member and friend) Diana Margarita, we are ambassadors for their great effort as well and if you are a sailor who wants to help - <i>please </i>check them out. This is also great place to donate to if you have no specific affiliation with a particular island and just want to help. They have big plans for long term efforts, and we are excited to be working with them.<br />
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I cannot say it enough: the community and solidarity that has emerged from these storms is <i>AMAZING</i>. The other day I wrote that "as my heart breaks, it fills" because the kindness of both strangers and friends and the many people who are stepping up to the plate are <i>astounding</i>. The coming together of people from all different walks of life is humbling and shows me that there is hope in this crazy world. We are shining with silver linings these days, and seeing the positive that has come out of this disaster is a lesson in humanity that I am honored to experience. We cannot thank you all enough...Those of you who have reached out to us - your kindness will not be forgotten.<br />
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So life is going on. We are grateful, we are lucky and we are okay. The challenge of moving forward from this storm is a big one, but we are up for it. We are not waving the white flag and - while there are definitely days we feel very defeated and completely lost, and there are moments when I completely break down - we have every intention to emerge from this stronger than before.<br />
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<i>"And once the storm is over you won't remember how you made it through, </i></div>
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<i>how you managed to survive. </i></div>
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<i>You won't even be sure, in fact, whether the storm is really over. </i></div>
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<i>But one thing is certain. </i></div>
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<i>When you come out of the storm you won't be the same person who walked in. </i></div>
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<i>That's what this storm's all about."</i></div>
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-Haruki Murakami</div>
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And now some pics of us back on the water this weekend with our dear friends from >>><a href="http://mondaynever.com/" target="_blank"><b>Monday </b><b>Never</b></a><<<...our growing friendship with them is one of the many silver linings of #irmaria (they will also be at the boat show with us!) Getting out on the water with them was cathartic.</div>
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Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-23220499335887683242017-09-12T19:35:00.000-05:002017-09-13T08:05:28.381-05:00Hurricane Irma: Reflections on a Life Forever Altered by her Wrath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were supposed to fly back to Tortola yesterday. </span>Our bags sit in my closet half-way packed with belongings and goodies we were bringing back to our beloved boat. This past weekend was supposed to be full of tearful goodbyes with friends and family. We should be on our boat <i>right</i> now, maybe getting ready for Isla's first day of kindergarten. She was so excited about her new shoes and uniform. Or maybe we'd be at the beach bar at this moment, hanging out with our friends and telling stories from our respective summers, enveloping in hugs, clinking drinks and lamenting how we'd forgotten it could be so damn hot. The post-summer reunions are always so nice...<br />
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This next season held so much promise; best business year yet, travel plans, family visits, rendezvous with new friends...there was so much we were looking forward to.<br />
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Irma took all that away from us.<br />
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It is hard to put into words how I am feeling. I don't even really think <i>I</i> know how I am feeling because the magnitude of the situation is, quite frankly, hard to grasp. It's surreal and, like so many of our friends, I feel numb. We are not unique in our position right now, not by a long shot. I'm often at a loss for words when people ask me about it. There's a constant little ache in my heart that I carry with me all day long and each time my brain reminds me that this is <i>really</i> happening, I get that a tiny sensation of free-falling in my belly. Life as we knew it is over, and we need to begin again. And while there is a glimmer of excitement in a clean slate and having the ability to "chose your own adventure" (this is how I am framing it for the girls), there is also a tremendous amount of pain and grief because - as most of you know - we really, <i>really</i> loved our life. Our boat, our community, our island...We didn't <i>want</i> it to change. There is no where else we'd rather be. But we don't always get what we want, and sometimes something unexpected happens that shakes your world to the core.<br />
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On September 6th, Hurricane Irma ripped across our little island showing no mercy. We were hit square on and - at one point as we abroad watched in horror - all of Tortola was visible in her eye. We held our breath. But we knew...we had seen the footage coming out of St. Maarten just hours earlier The devastation...we knew it was going to be beyond what any of us could possibly fathom...And she was. Her wrath was catastrophic. Biblical. Unimaginable. The scope of her destruction was beyond anyone's wildest dreams. I keep throwing around the unofficial statistic 90%. <i>"90% of the houses are destroyed." "90% of the boats are destroyed." "90% of our island is destroyed."</i> Ninety percent. Again, it's not an official number - but I can tell you it's close. It doesn't take a genius to scan the images and videos come to that ball park number. There is hardly a single palm frond left. She raked our island clean of all foliage. It looks like a nuclear bomb was dropped and friends on the ground are describing the scene as "post-apocalyptic".<br />
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She took our boat, she lies now at the muddy bottom of our marina. She took our business, stripping our boats from their hurricane hole and hurling them into a twisted pile of hundreds of others. She took the homes and businesses of many others and nearly all of our friends. She took beaches and trees and animals and landmarks. And she took lives. We are grateful and lucky to have been spared. Lucky to be alive...we know this, and we are grateful. But that doesn't mean we still cannot feel the pain of losing so much. It doesn't mean we don't grieve for the life that we knew and our uncertain future. We will be okay, we know that. And, yes, we still have each other. But we grieve. A death has still occurred. And, to be quite honest, I think I haven't even truly begin to process it. This is not the loss of a loved one - far greater to be sure - but it is a loss, and one that so many cannot even begin to fathom. But we are lucky, we had insurance and, hopefully, we will one day be able to recover our great losses.<br />
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In the wake of Irma, however, some magic has occurred. As it happens so often in times of crisis the layers of the onion peel away and people begin to see what is <i>really</i> important. <i>Before</i> Irma hit (and we became aware of her velocity and what it might mean for us) my friend went aboard s/v Legato to gather things off our boat, "What do you want?" She asked. I couldn't think of a single thing that I *needed* to get off because of<i> real </i>value. <i>After</i> Irma hit the only thing I was concerned about was the safety of our friends. And now, instead of slipping into a depressed funk about what our future holds (I completely reserve the right to do this at a later date, fyi), I - along with most of my friends - am channelling my pain into efforts to help the BVI recover as quickly as it can.<br />
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People are pulling up their sleeves and coming together. On the ground, on the front lines and abroad, people are working tirelessly to help in any way they can. From fundraising to donating, from evacuating to offering services, from going to the front lines to getting word out to the media, everyone is doing their part and efforts large and small are being made by everyday people. More and more stories are coming out of people talking about how - despite the horror of their experience - it's been one of the most humbling and positive experiences they've ever been a part of. How grateful they are for their lives. How grateful they are for their friends. How, really, it's the simplest things that matter the most. How everyone came together to help one another. It's a lesson in humanity. Almost every message from those who have survived the greatest storm of the century is: Gratitude. For life, for neighbors, for each other. <i>"It was the most horrific experience of our lives...but we are stronger for it".</i><br />
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The yin and yang of life. Just as our beautiful British Virgin Islands showed nature at her most perfect, Irma reminded us that she can be very, very ugly as well. <i>She giveth and she taketh away</i>.<br />
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Scott and I have started a relief fund to help rebuild our beloved British Virgin Islands. He is in Puerto Rico right now working with the amazing group >>><a href="http://sailorshelping.org/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Sailors Helping</a><<< (set up by the amazing powerhouse of a duo behind <i><a href="http://www.sailmeom.com/" target="_blank">Sail Me Om</a></i>) - along with so many others - (Massive shout out to Puerto Rico and it's people for stepping up to the plate SO BIG for ALL the Virgin Islands and our friends from <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Threesheetssailing/" target="_blank">Three Sheets Sailing</a></i> for their amazing work!) in an effort to find ways to get our islands back up and running as quickly as possible. And there are so many more I have not mentioned...<span style="text-align: center;">The road is long, but we are not alone.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">If you'd like to help the beautiful Islands that we called home, if you ever vacationed in the BVI and fell in love with it like we did - donate. No amount is too small. Please feel free to share if you are unable to contribute!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>PLEASE HELP US HELP THE BVI COME BACK STRONGER THAN EVER:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">>>>><a href="https://www.youcaring.com/bviimmediaterelief-943806">Brittany and Scott's BVI Immediate Relief Fund</a><<<<</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">#BVISTRONG #WEWILLREBUILD</span></div>
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Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com80tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-14098337039491209772017-09-03T17:25:00.000-05:002017-09-03T17:26:34.675-05:00Hurry Up and Wait: The Agony of Watching a Hurricane Barrel Down on Your Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">"What's the most stressful part of living on an island/running an island business/living on a boat?" </span>We get this question a lot. And there are a host of answers to each but one answer crosses <i>all </i>divides is: <i>being right smack dab in the middle of hurricane alley between the months of June and November every year</i>. Our stress is compounded by the fact that both <a href="https://aristocatcharters.com/" target="_blank">>>>our business<<<</a> and our home are water based, and as such Scott and I currently own <i>four</i> boats in Tortola. There are more than a few people who would look at us and think to themselves (and possibly out loud) what a preposterous position to put ourselves in. And at this particular moment, we might agree.<br />
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There is currently a major hurricane barreling down on our little island. Her name is Irma and she is apparently a beast, slated to be a Cat 3 or 4 when she hits our area (for perspective, Katrina was a Cat 5). After a few days of nail-biting monitoring it seems, more than ever, that she will - <i>at best</i> - pass very close to our island, and - <i>at worst</i> - pass directly over us. My days have been a blur of checking weather sites for updates and new storm models with the hopes of positive news, and each day it becomes more and more clear that this storm poses a real threat to our island and island neighbors. People are flying out, stores are selling out of non-perishables and the departments of disaster management are urging people to PREPARE NOW. It's a big deal. And this waiting, this constant refreshing of the news feed to see if a new model shows promise of a turn away from us...it is agonizing. But like watching a train wreck, it is so hard turn away. "Stop watching!" they tell me but it's hard when we have so much at stake; our livelihood, our friends and our home are all there. And so I keep scanning my feed, hoping for positive news while channeling my inner meteorologist and every morning brings news that makes the sickening feeling in my belly deepen: this hurricane is not turning, her path is becoming more defined and our island is very likely in it.<br />
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Another agonizing element to this story is the fact that <u>we are not there</u>. Of course this is a blessing, as our most precious cargo is safe from Irma's wrath. However, if we <i>were</i> there, we could at least be doing something proactive to prepare and know we did our best to do what we could...instead we watch with a feeling of helplessness. We monitor the weather sites, we communicate and commiserate with other locals and we hope. Thankfully, we have some amazing friends, neighbors and employees working for us on the home front. Peter from <b><i><a href="http://www.wherethecoconutsgrow.com/" target="_blank">>>>Where the Coconuts Grow<<<</a></i></b> has been a lifesaver and is currently prepping our home, <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/02/we-bought-new-boat-but-why-method.html" target="_blank">>>>s/v Legato<<<</a>, and two of our <a href="https://aristocatcharters.com/" target="_blank">>>><b>Aristocat Charters</b><<<</a> catamarans as well as his own boat (read his wife and my good friend <i><a href="http://www.wherethecoconutsgrow.com/2017/09/hurricane-irma/" target="_blank">Jody's Hurricane Plan</a></i>). With the help of our amazing employees Jorn and Brian, I am confident they are doing right by us. But they also have to prepare themselves, their homes and boats as well, and I feel very guilty adding to an already stressful workload for all of them. I cannot adequately express my gratitude for their efforts on our behalf...<br />
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Another element of this excruciating waiting game is the simple fact that hurricanes make a rather slow progression forward - about 15 mph to be exact - and that means we watch them for days and days and days before we know with good probability exactly where they will go... The silver lining to this is of course the ability to see them coming (most of the time) and give people ample time to prepare, the hard part is watching a hurricane march ominously toward your island at the pace of a healthy jogging human which, for the record, feels painfully slow. And then there is the fact that we have so much to lose there. The potential loss makes me sick to consider but it's hard not to; our home, our business - all are literal sitting ducks in the water. Yes, we are insured. Yes, these things can be replaced. But the thought of utter devastation - and losing most everything we own - breaks my heart, and even though it feels selfish to be so worried when we are our of harms way and other's will have it way worse than us, tears well up in my eyes at the thought of what could happen and what it means for us.<br />
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So we wait.<br />
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It is Sunday and it is looking like Irma will pass by or over our rock sometime Tuesday or Wednesday night. The next 48 hours will be crucial and determine with more precision where she will go but hurricanes - like all of mother nature's incredible forces - are wild and unpredictable. We will not have real answers until after she has left us in her wake. Hopefully, with as little damage as possible.<br />
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In the words of our Isla, who just a few hours ago looked into my worried eyes and said, <i>"Don't worry mommy. If our stuff tips over it's okay, it's just stuff. The most important things are people."</i> And she is right. Our wise, wonderful child.<br />
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Our thoughts are with all our island friends, neighbors, fellow boaters and everyone in Irma's path.<br />
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"The most important things are people." Stay safe, everyone. And a heartfelt "thank you" to our amazing <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sailwindtraveler/" target="_blank">>>>Windtraveler Community<<<</a></b> for all the thoughts, vibes, and prayers. We appreciate your support more than you know.Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-24492369830207395682017-08-22T14:10:00.002-05:002017-08-22T20:45:02.333-05:00Update from the Blogosphere: How Island Life has Changed Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I started this post about four weeks ago. </span>It's funny how I always think that coming back to land for a visit will afford me more time to write. We are, after all, living with my mom and there are loads of sitters for me to use. However, it never quite works out like that and I really cannot put my finger on why. So, while the girls nap on this beautiful and sunny 80 degree day - I've popped over here to catch you up on a few things...<br />
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As you probably know by our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sailwindtraveler/" target="_blank">>>>Facebook<<<</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/windtraveler/?hl=en" target="_blank">>>>Instagram<<<</a> accounts, we are back stateside for a visit. It is wonderful and has been a nice change. It goes without saying that the proximity to friends and family is solid gold. It's also happens to be the best season to be <i>here</i> and the worst time to be <i>there</i> at the moment. Summer in the midwest is pretty clutch, and hurricane season in the Caribbean kind of sucks. The threat of nasty storms is imminent, it's hot as hell and things slow down considerably... Residents travel to places far and wide to stave off island fever and businesses close up for the summer or cut back hours. <a href="https://aristocatcharters.com/" target="_blank">>>> Our business <<<</a>, however, runs all year round which is why Scott stayed behind the first few weeks we were here to get our new staff up and running and focus on boat repair (both <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/02/we-bought-new-boat-but-why-method.html" target="_blank">>>> our home boat <<<</a> and our business boats needed a lot of work). After four weeks apart, he re-joined us for a well-deserved break.<br />
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The girls and I have been here almost two months now (Scott just nearly three weeks) and one fact has become glaringly clear: </span><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Island life has changed us.</span> </i><br />
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We are currently in the land of <i>all. the. things</i>. I could take the girls to any number of parks, pools, museums, events, indoor gymnasiums, theaters and splash pads. There are probably 100 places within a ten mile radius of us to fill our time. And while you'd think we'd come back and relish in all these activities that are not available to us back on Tortola, we - oddly enough - opt to spend most of our time in my mom's backyard, hanging with family and friends. We make mud pies, create obstacle courses, make fairy houses, and engage in the natural environment. Maybe I've set the "fun" bar <i>really</i> low, but some pots and pans with water in them can entertain our girls for <i>HOURS</i>. And - go ahead and call me lazy - if our kids are happy playing in the backyard, I'd certainly rather that than take them to an amusement park where I'm stressed, they're overstimulated, and sugar consumption is greatly amplified.<br />
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And this right here is the privilege of having a foot in both worlds: <span style="font-size: large;"><i>we get to fully enjoy the beauty of both land life and island life because the novelty of "different" doesn't quite wear off</i></span>. For example, while - to some - the backyard might seem dull or boring (hence the desire for land parents to take their kids to other places for fun and stimulation which we would for sure do as well if we were full-time landlubbers), to our girls - it's a place of wonder, freedom and endless possibilities. And let me tell you, it is <u><i>SO</i> </u>nice to be able to open the door and let our girls strip down and play in the water and mud without the threat of drowning. A beach might be a wonder to land-locked children, but to our girls this is a standard daily outing (one that, if I am to be honest, sometimes elicits whines of "Oh! Not the beach <i>agaaain</i>!"...I know -<i>wince</i>-, spoiled.) but the backyard? Complete with tire swing, room to run naked and a sprinkler? Now <i>that</i> is really something! It's wonderful to see our girls so wholly enjoying the simple pleasures I did as a child and the fact the backyard is easy, free and doesn't involve me having to pack a backpack of crap and loading and unloading three kids in a car? WIN.<br />
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Don't get me wrong...we <i>have </i>left the backyard from time to time...We've gone to pools and parks and friend's places, and we've done two trips to Northern Michigan where Scott's mom and stepdad live (side note: we are experts now at driving long distances with three kids! more on this to come...), and those trips were <i>incredible</i>. Aside from the fact that Michigan in the summer is absolute magic, seeing our girls genuinely form bonds with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins is something that is important to us and a big focus on these visits home. The driving time also allowed for one on one conversation to happen between Scott and I, something that is a bit of a rarity back on our island where he works so much and where we often pass like ships in the night. During these long drives (over 28 hours in total, egad!) back and forth, Scott and I started mapping out dreams and schemes for far-off future adventures (<i>squeee!</i>) and we made some plans for a great year ahead on our boat with lots island hopping to nearby places and slightly longer getaways to Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. The possibilities for the year ahead are exciting and now that the twins are a more manageable age (well, <i>kind of)</i> and we've got a solidly awesome team helping to run our business so that Scott doesn't need to be working until 1am every night, travel is on the horizon. This excites us to no end.<br />
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So I apologize for the lack of communication. It drives me nuts when I go dark on here for too long. But the creative juices are beginning to flow and I can feel the writer's block starting to lift...In the meantime, we're enjoying what I am calling a "slow" summer. One where we don't rush from one place to the next, where we don't feel the pressure to fill every day with something or someone new, and one where we (try!) keep stress as low as possible (because, lets face it, chaos reigns in a home with three small kiddos in it!) As such, we'll just keep living life in the slow lane. On "island" time, as it were.<br />
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Which, for now, happens to be in my mom's back yard.<br />
Our own little island, away from our rock.<br />
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<br />Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-30637284350610959752017-06-29T14:51:00.000-05:002017-06-29T16:43:06.797-05:00Island Life: The Good, Bad, and Quirky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">The "idea" of living on an island evokes a bit of envy and turquoise tinted mental pictures for a lot of people</span>. But just like most things, the 'idea' of something and the 'reality' of it can be very, very different. While I will be the first to tell you that I absolutely <i>love</i> my island home and island life in general, there's a lot more to it than beautiful beaches, tropical slushy rum drinks and cotton-candy colored sunsets (though we do have those things in spades!)...I've written before about <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2016/07/so-you-want-to-live-on-island-thirteen.html" target="_blank">>>> how to determine whether or not island life might be for you <<< </a>, but just for fun, here' are some ways that island life <i>on my rock</i> is very different from life back stateside...<br />
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1) <span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Lack of abundance</u></b></span>: There are no malls, no big box stores, and our grocery stores <i>pale</i> in comparison to those back home. Finding affordable quinoa or natural peanut butter is very difficult and there is less of just about <i>everything</i> on a small island. We island mom's talk excitedly in dreamy, coveting tones about Whole Foods or Trader Joes the way other mom's might gush over that 50 Shades trilogy (...that I have not read). The prospect of shelves upon shelves of organic, wholesome goodness is <i>that </i>exciting for us. Clothes? Again, limited choices unless you dress like a 26 year old from San Diego (which I do). Household goods? Not many options for good, quality stuff but lots of plastic crap from China marked to about triple what it should cost. Life on our rock is expensive because of this but it's the price we pay because what we <i>do </i>we have an abundance of? Beaches, boats and bars. Not a bad trade.<br />
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2) <span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Kids wear school uniforms</u></b></span>: Here, every single school child wears a uniform. Period. <i>IT. IS. AWESOME</i>. Can someone <u>please</u> explain to me why the United States has not adopted this practice?!?! Dear <i>GOD</i>! Getting my kids dressed in decent, practical clothing is easily one of the most unpleasant parts of my day (they either want to wear completely ridiculous things like socks and leggings to the beach or underware on their head with a princess dress to dinner - which I let them most of the time - or they (Mira) want to wear the same exact ratty, dirty, threadbare thing every. single. day). I can only imagine that this fortitude and pension for 'style' gets more <strike>awful</strike> determined as we near the teen years (face palm) but, honestly, my uber independent daughters dress themselves and it drives me nuts. School uniforms save me just a <i>little bit</i> of headache and a hell of a lot more time on school days. Plus, they look pretty adorable. AMEN for school uniforms. I dread ever living somewhere without them.<br />
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3) <span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Rules are more lax</u></b></span>: I have seen numerous signs around Tortola that say you are not allowed to smoke in public places. I have also seen more smokers on this island than I have seen since my <i>pre-smoking ban</i> bar days in Chicago. There is a "strict" helmet law, yet only one out of every four motor scooter drivers is wearing a helmet. And good LORD do not start me on parking. A parking lot here looks like a mini glimpse into the collapse of society. Full-blown anarchy. Every man for himself. When it says "no parking", people will freely park. Even better, if you are parked in a perfectly legal spot, it is not unusual for someone to park right in front of you, blocking you in completely for anywhere from ten minutes to over an hour. This incredibly selfish practice is not only commonplace, but pretty infuriating to all residents, and yet nothing is ever done about it. Why? I have yet to see a tow truck or a car ticketed for this. No consequences? Behavior remains the same. <i>Sigh.</i><br />
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4) <span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Livestock roams free</u></b></span>: You will not see one single squirrel here on Tortola, but a drive to town or up on the ridge road will present you with a whole host of farm animals. Chickens run free all over the place, goats regularly hold up traffic, and driving by a cow lounging on the side of the road with her calf is no big deal. Donkeys and horses used to be the main mode of transport around here until fairly recent history so you will see plenty of those as well, though their physical states might make you shudder...which brings me to my next point...<br />
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5) <b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Animal cruelty and brutality is everywhere</span></u></b>: Treatment of animals here is atrocious. Period. I'm not one to hate on my rock, because I love it here so very much, but animal cruelty and abuse is rampant and if you are a true-blue animal lover, you will probably have your heart broken daily here. I don't even want to tell some of the stories I have heard but suffice it to say: it's <i>really</i> bad.<br />
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6) <span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>You can drink while driving</b></u></span>: Yes, you read that correctly. While you <i>technically</i> cannot drive 'drunk' (see #3), driving with an open alcoholic bev in the car is totally acceptable. Do not talk on the phone or skimp on clicking your seat belt, but go ahead and fix yourself that rum and coke before you hit the road. Welcome to the land of the roadie my friends, it's a nice place to be.<br />
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7) <b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Drivers and Roads are Insane</u></span></b>: Let me preface this by saying that I have been pulled over for "driving with intent to kill" (no, I was not, it's actually a classification after going over the speed limit a certain amount), ticketed for "reckless driving" and I had my license suspended for a year. I spent many years weaving in and out of traffic in the city of Chicago where I gained some legit "aggressive driving" chops. My point in telling you all this? I AM NO GRANDMA BEHIND THE WHEEL. But here? I literally get road rage several times a day because the drivers here are the very worst I've ever experienced in all the world (and I've driven in Rome, Bangkok and East Africa, to name a few). They are careless and downright terrifying. They fly around blind corners at mock speeds, pass on narrow roads, and play chicken daily. I cannot tell you how many times I have had to avoid what would have been terrible accidents had it not been for me swerving out of the way or breaking suddenly. The roads are just as bad: barely wide enough for two cars to safely pass, featuring hair-pin turns that make your hair curl and hills that are so steep they make your feet and palms sweat. Island driving is not for the faint of heart.<br />
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8) <span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Hitch Hiking is normal</u></b></span>: Hitch hiking is not only normal, but the way many islanders rely on getting from point A to point B. For one, there is no public transportation here (gripe alert!), which is a real bummer. And secondly, cars are not affordable to everyone and many people don't know how to drive, so every drive on our rock will having you passing hitchhikers standing on the side of the road, casually pointing a finger in the direction they want to go. I have picked up children on their way to school, women on their way home from work, and men headed to their jobs. It's a fun way to get to know people and I've heard some incredible stories from hitchhikers. I also think it's showing my girls an important lesson in kindness, as more often than not they are in the car with me when I pick up people.<br />
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9) <span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Village Mentality of Islanders</b></u></span>: Living on our particular island is not unlike living in a small town. Most everyone knows one another in some, way, shape, or form and a trip to just about anywhere will have you running into someone you know. Being anonymous here is not really an option. Because of this, there is very much a "village" mentality when you live on a small island, we tend to stick together to help one another out. We are all in a similar boat (no pun intended) and whether it be mom's helping out other mom's or simply picking up a hitchhiker as described in #8, we are all part of this community and we all want to see it be the best it can be.<br />
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10) <b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Kids are more free-range</u></span></b>: I've talked about how I tend to >>> <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2015/08/how-do-we-parent-our-attempts-to-raise.html" target="_blank">lean more in the direction of "free-range"</a><<< as opposed to helicopter parent and I realize this is largely due to the fact that we live in a very safe community where this is easily done. Kids hitchhike to school, it's not unusual to see an older sibling caring for his or her baby sibling, and young kids running free on the beach with their parent keeping a safe distance is very, very normal. Our girls skinny dip regularly, kick off their shoes at every chance they get, and are full of bumps, scrapes and bruises from being outside every day. Our community is relatively small and we all know one another so there are many sets of eyes on our children. I feel really lucky to be able to give our kids the freedom they want and need and the ability to do this is a large reason we chose to live where we do. I've had a lot of conversations with other parents who child-rear in a similar way and agree that we live in a very special place where times are simpler, where kids can be kids, and where there is no need <b><u><a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2015/10/raising-kids-it-takes-village-not-call.html" target="_blank">>>> or social pressure <<<</a></u></b> to helicopter.<br />
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11) <b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Very little to do outside of beaches, boats, and bars</span></u></b>: A certain type of person might find themselves very bored living here full time (pretty much everyone <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2016/03/so-you-want-to-visit-british-virgin.html" target="_blank">>>> loves to vacation here <<<</a>). There are not many restaurants, no winery tours, no theater district, no dance clubs, few coffee shops, no indoor play lands, no malls, no theme parks, no museums and - in general - outside of nature and outdoorsy stuff related to all things water, there's really not much to do here. Taking a stroll 'downtown' is not something that yields much of anything and if you don't enjoy beaches, boats, bars and water sports you might find this place a bit of a yawnfest. Many of us, however, <i>chose</i> to live here in spite of this and actually enjoy the sleepiness of our rock: there's less distraction and fewer things pulling us every which way. You can relax and unplug here. The focus is more on making simple fun with your community; picnics on the beach with friends, dinners at people's homes, and DIY parties...Though, not going to lie, I'd really love there to be a dance club here where I could go with my girlfriends!<br />
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Those are just a few of the ways living on my rock differs from living back on the mainland. Some are weird and funny, some are frustrating and sad, but it's all part of the reality of #islandlife.<br />
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Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-60972655251443922202017-06-27T09:18:00.000-05:002017-06-27T09:18:00.309-05:00Decorating a Boat (or Tiny Home): Putting the Fun in Function<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUz5R7thGTUMlmMtcUDSyKWHaQpxxtRoGaKApm7uNktIOjxnNvbtB5xj7-jk8jWcd4-baUSgIKN-u0ZaJgtyCWvb9YYdgOKUwysO5m9w2yH8NRdXqdiYTKt7W30w3ZjGidazc6Dw/s1600/boatdecorcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUz5R7thGTUMlmMtcUDSyKWHaQpxxtRoGaKApm7uNktIOjxnNvbtB5xj7-jk8jWcd4-baUSgIKN-u0ZaJgtyCWvb9YYdgOKUwysO5m9w2yH8NRdXqdiYTKt7W30w3ZjGidazc6Dw/s640/boatdecorcover.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sure there are people out there who scoff at the idea of "decorating" a boat</span>. Certainly the saltiest sailors of our time - Slocum, Mortissier, Johnston (all whom I love and admire) - cared very little about aesthetics when they were journeying... A boat, after all, is made to perform and safety and integrity should always remain top priorities. While I wish I had a little more of the rugged adventurist who could care less about fluffy things such as "decor" in me, I will say that I do not. I'm spontaneous and adventurous and up for a challenge, but I still love and crave certain creature comforts; namely I like the place I live to look nice and tidy and to feel inviting and homey.<br />
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When living on a boat or tiny home, however, the key is to enjoy these things <u><i>while still being functional</i></u>. Believe it or not, there <i>are</i> ways you can beautify your boat without spending hordes of money and sacrificing performance... Throw pillows, wall art, and rugs are the three easy ingredients and with a little planning, your boat can look nice and cohesive with minimal effort. I've written before about >>> <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2013/08/making-boat-home-art-of-decorating-boat.html" target="_blank"><b><i>making a boat a home</i></b></a> <<< , but it's been a few years. Because >>> <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/02/we-bought-new-boat-but-why-method.html" target="_blank"><b><i>we have a new boat</i></b></a> <<< now and my style has evolved, I have a few more tips and products to share for those fellow live-aboards and cruisers who, like me, prefer their boat to feel (and look!) like a <i>'home'.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tips for decorating a boat:</b></span><br />
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<b><u>1) Work with what you've got</u></b>: This is stating the obvious, but there are certain things you cannot change on a boat. Where a mast is placed, how your saloon is laid out, and galley countertops are hard/impossible to change without doing major renovation. Work with what you have, at least to start. For example, our new boat has navy blue leather cushions throughout. We probably would not have chosen the 'nautical' navy blue ourselves, but re-covering all the cushions would have cost us a fortune. Instead, I worked them into our boat's color palette. Which brings me to my next tip...<br />
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<b><u>2) Pick a color palette</u></b>: This is the fun part! We love color! Check out <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/color/how-to-choose-a-color-scheme-pictures" target="_blank">these tips for picking a color scheme</a> and then go generate one easily with <a href="https://coolors.co/" target="_blank">this online tool</a>. We chose a bright color palette that was largely dictated by colors in art we brought from our old boat and the navy blue of our cushions. Keeping the color scheme - whether it be muted and soft (beige, baby blue, gray), or colorful and bold (bright blue, green, turquoise) helps to keep the decor cohesive.<br />
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<b><u>3) Incorporate pieces that coordinate but stand out</u></b>: Large patterns on bedding and cushions are tough on a boat because they can make an already small space feel smaller, we really like sticking with our cushions/bedding being a solid, plain color and incorporating bold patterns in with our decor like pillows and rugs. Throw pillows and non-skid floor matts are a really easy way to bring color and patterns into a boat.<br />
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<b><u>4) Utilize wall space</u></b>: Because there is very little counter space on a boat, we have utilized wall space to decorate our boat with pictures, art, and decorative wall storage pouches to keep clutter at bay.<br />
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<b><u>5) Look at the big picture</u></b>: A boat is small and there isn't much separation from space to space so our whole boat is more or less decorated within our color palette. We use pillows, rugs, and photos to decorate our space which are easily swapped out and changed if we feel like redecorating. A lot of our pieces can also be switched from space to space if we feel like changing things up a little.<br />
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<b><u>6) Don't forget functionality</u></b>: Don't ever forget that a boat's purpose is to go sailing. This means that you must consider whether or not something really makes sense to bring aboard. For example, a vase in the center of the table is probably a bad idea, as it will most likely become a projectile when underway. We try to keep our boat as "sail ready" as possible so most of our decor is either secured to the boat or easily tucked away. We can be off the dock in no time, and that's how we like it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Decorating a Boat: What's in our Arsenal</b></span><br />
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<b><u>1) Art</u></b>: Wall space is usually quite limited on a boat but where we do have it, we've added some art. For our wedding we were gifted a >>> <b><a href="http://mytownart.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=25_27&sort=1&page=1" target="_blank">Patrick Reid O'Brien</a> </b><<< print and we loved it so much we brought it to our first boat, and it has been on every boat since. We have also added two more of his pieces. The art tells a story, the first depicts Chicago, where we met. The second, St. Joseph, Michigan, where we married. The third, Tortola, where we chose to settle. We don't have the "welcome friends' piece on this inspiration board, but it's similar to the pieces we do have (and I kind of want it!)<br />
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<b><u>2) Scout Rump Roost Medium Bin</u></b>: I am <i>obsessed</i> with all things Scout! We have four of >>> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NBND7GO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01NBND7GO&linkCode=as2&tag=windtraveler-20&linkId=aca7ca731dd585c4516a982838dffe2f" target="_blank">these bins</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=windtraveler-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01NBND7GO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <<< in our boat (both styles depicted on this inspiration board) and they are where our toys, spare linen, and the girls' dress up clothes live. They look super nice, fold flat, and - the best part - are water proof and sturdy enough to stand/sit on. Because space is at such a premium on a boat most - if not all - items should serve two purposes and these fit the bill perfectly.<br />
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<b><u>3) Throw Pillows</u></b>: I'm not sure if there is anything that causes more husband/wife discord than the number of pillows in a home, but in my experience, men see no point in these things. And, okay, they might be a <i>tad</i> superfluous but I love me some throw pillows and while Scott has put a strict moratorium on me buying any more, I think they really spruce up our boat and the girls love making forts with them all. Dual purpose! We got most of ours on from Amazon where they >>> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XENF9LK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00XENF9LK&linkCode=as2&tag=windtraveler-20&linkId=10ea0bc33d0211d2e580ff203957f2cf" target="_blank">have an awesome and very affordable selection</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=windtraveler-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00XENF9LK" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <<<.<br />
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<b><u>4) Gallery wall</u></b>: This is my favorite feature of our new boat. I have always wanted a 'gallery wall' of family photos and we finally had the space for it on our Tayana. I mix and matched frames similar to >>> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CZGAQ5K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01CZGAQ5K&linkCode=as2&tag=windtraveler-20&linkId=560521827f6affae5dc6f862dd81d3fc" target="_blank">this set</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=windtraveler-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01CZGAQ5K" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><<< ,and printed out some pictures. Everyone who comes aboard loves peeking at the pictures and I think it looks so nice and inviting as a main focal point in our boat.<br />
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<b><u>5) Throw rugs</u></b>: We have seven throw rugs on our boat. They make a huge difference in the look of our interior and I'm always on the hunt for >>> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CR9ITYK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01CR9ITYK&linkCode=as2&tag=windtraveler-20&linkId=bee2ef69b95d2a691470f1485099e527" target="_blank">good ones</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=windtraveler-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01CR9ITYK" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><<<. Most of ours are indoor/outdoor rugs that are stain proof and easily cleaned, and we have non-skid mats underneath all so they don't slip. One thing that is tricky with rugs is that boat spaces are usually more narrow and don't fit regular sizes. What I do is measure the space where I want a rug to be, and then I go to Amazon and do a search for a rug of that dimension. It's worked well for me and you get more choices and styles. You could also have a rug cut down to size and bound by a professional.<br />
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<b><u>6) Scout Hang Ten Bin</u></b>: Another >>> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NBNDE6T/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01NBNDE6T&linkCode=as2&tag=windtraveler-20&linkId=053dd6e3337f777590494ed4861e496d" target="_blank">Scout product we love</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=windtraveler-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01NBNDE6T" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <<<. We have about six of these in our boat and not only do they look nice, but they are sturdy and hold a lot. These bins are in our larger lockers to hold clothes and you will see one in the picture below in our bedroom holding my obscene multitude of trucker hats (the struggle is real).<br />
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<b><u>7) Coordinating the galley</u></b>: Because our saloon runs right into our galley, I've kept the decoration there in the same color palette. The pot holders, dish towels and most of our dinnerware coordinates with the other elements in our boat. These >>> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BPDXVXI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01BPDXVXI&linkCode=as2&tag=windtraveler-20&linkId=606504d9526d7039c056c74ce1bfbe06" target="_blank">magnetic nesting cooking utensils</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=windtraveler-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01BPDXVXI" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <<< were an awesome find because not only do they look nice, but the next together magnetically and take up zero drawer space.<br />
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<b><u>7) Non skid mat:</u></b> as I mentioned above, throw rugs are your friend. These >>> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XPPS1G7/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B06XPPS1G7&linkCode=as2&tag=windtraveler-20&linkId=5f6b793bfa7ffbb3d43e88c029a0bcee" target="_blank">non-skid mats</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=windtraveler-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B06XPPS1G7" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <<< are very durable, stain proof and have been on our boats from day one. The nice pattern is a big plus and they are small enough that they'd fit in just about any boat interior.<br />
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<b><u>8) Turkish Towels</u></b>: We love turkish towels on our boat and use them for the bath, beach and pool. We also use these >>> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EAYTPEY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00EAYTPEY&linkCode=as2&tag=windtraveler-20&linkId=d02bf5cf6167305fc77008a5135b959b" target="_blank">Turkish hand towels</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=windtraveler-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00EAYTPEY" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <<< for our dishes and they look nice to boot.<br />
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<b><u>9) Wall organizers</u></b>: I cannot stand clutter (hard to avoid with three kids but still...) and prefer a minimalist, airy and open feeling. We have four of these >>> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014MJ6HQK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B014MJ6HQK&linkCode=as2&tag=windtraveler-20&linkId=698e8c60a55feb74820febf5eee04361" target="_blank">wall organizers</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=windtraveler-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B014MJ6HQK" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <<< in the girls' rooms and in both heads (bathrooms) affixed to the wall with industrial velcro and they look stylish and store things in an nice, organized way.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Tools we use:</u></b></span><br />
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1) <b><u>Industrial Strength Velcro</u></b>: We love this stuff on our boat and keep a >>> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006RSP1/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00006RSP1&linkCode=as2&tag=windtraveler-20&linkId=701d7d41b97828a7c3f3501d9bcaea8b" target="_blank">giant roll of it</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=windtraveler-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00006RSP1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><<<. It is what we use to affix all our art and photos to the walls without having to drill holes into our boat.<br />
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2) <b><u>Museum Putty</u></b>: While we try to keep our counters clutter-free from projectiles that might go flying underway, we do have a few trinkets out here and there. >>> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FJU290/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000FJU290&linkCode=as2&tag=windtraveler-20&linkId=e827e6730028e5f262d6826951b477d2" target="_blank">Museum Putty</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=windtraveler-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B000FJU290" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <<< makes sure they stay put.<br />
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3) <b><u>Command strip anything</u></b>: I love command strip hooks! We have three or four of >>> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0091CIFAU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0091CIFAU&linkCode=as2&tag=windtraveler-20&linkId=2180faebaa5ac17ac38fc0aff50964c5" target="_blank">these hooks</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=windtraveler-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B0091CIFAU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <<< behind every door and they hold towels, bags, hoodies and other stuff freeing up space in our cubbies and drawers and keeping clutter out of sight.<br />
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Those are our tips! What tips do you have for decorating a small space? Please share as we are always evolving over here and looking for new ideas. In the meantime, here is our space and what it looks like. I hope you enjoy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIobwcRUwjlpwOBzMaRbt-DPgpyFmYLJNtPz__IN9P_H8YKHrqJCm63LNw0VhRg49muIchDNO9Gh82LdTohjkbvdaI7bdJDzZDxQmaRaJcy88hwebDxpQUZnO2V6UIFWCK96UIA/s1600/boatdecor2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIobwcRUwjlpwOBzMaRbt-DPgpyFmYLJNtPz__IN9P_H8YKHrqJCm63LNw0VhRg49muIchDNO9Gh82LdTohjkbvdaI7bdJDzZDxQmaRaJcy88hwebDxpQUZnO2V6UIFWCK96UIA/s640/boatdecor2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our bedroom. I love it so much. You can see our art (hung by velcro) as well as the "LOVE" adhesive above the bed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalaGN1RQcr_UraRN8EZHzHTIhNiAjNsHum10PkJD7cqpMZTdLw-1ZN4Axas7FXheWrTbaEwM8QU9JmJhANQC2dhY5K3HLCDRGFvkSFNlkjUENlh0ie7rc8NmnvavlM0af5Kz7RA/s1600/boatdecor4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalaGN1RQcr_UraRN8EZHzHTIhNiAjNsHum10PkJD7cqpMZTdLw-1ZN4Axas7FXheWrTbaEwM8QU9JmJhANQC2dhY5K3HLCDRGFvkSFNlkjUENlh0ie7rc8NmnvavlM0af5Kz7RA/s640/boatdecor4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you see some more photos as well as bins I use to store my camera accessories as well as my trucker hats.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaUrfp_vV4oaeQyKKlR9eENptntrPcwXdmktofYKAZ-Kj2Davx7HP0X9TOcQHozRvBuZx4cFYJXR03CxshjiMAAEaw2xsObo9wNx_w9B4uVlcMdXWDEnsjuNzOwhSaR_C8x4_og/s1600/boatdecor5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaUrfp_vV4oaeQyKKlR9eENptntrPcwXdmktofYKAZ-Kj2Davx7HP0X9TOcQHozRvBuZx4cFYJXR03CxshjiMAAEaw2xsObo9wNx_w9B4uVlcMdXWDEnsjuNzOwhSaR_C8x4_og/s640/boatdecor5.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our walk-thru galley. Everything still flows nicely to the back and front of the boat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_9S9_01nHjqXzNZQRgmTLZ8sx1zwES3jnILcVsTBqj7Dd_fxHDChNwD4tMqtIu-OEVvbl1XO4zSLSLLpwgTP5Ra4DUXCFnDXItCuFNKLx1LUBCEbMFiiJPyeLq7XwyBXtL59cQ/s1600/boatdecor6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_9S9_01nHjqXzNZQRgmTLZ8sx1zwES3jnILcVsTBqj7Dd_fxHDChNwD4tMqtIu-OEVvbl1XO4zSLSLLpwgTP5Ra4DUXCFnDXItCuFNKLx1LUBCEbMFiiJPyeLq7XwyBXtL59cQ/s640/boatdecor6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another piece of art, velcroed to the wall. For the wire fruit basket we will have a hook drilled above it that a piece of bungee will attach to for rougher passages to ensure it doesn't fall over.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3fSFVMA4-ld0AI6CSUsJLspGIl75GkzwR3VxZO1UtFb90iK5yWQnm_kN9JqIjT8_7G-89Rg66jh22bptENsgLkV0z9xC3yFPgY1AwN_hbEU0IvgMYwC_y6Ll2TeGVNNB0U7keg/s1600/boatdecor7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3fSFVMA4-ld0AI6CSUsJLspGIl75GkzwR3VxZO1UtFb90iK5yWQnm_kN9JqIjT8_7G-89Rg66jh22bptENsgLkV0z9xC3yFPgY1AwN_hbEU0IvgMYwC_y6Ll2TeGVNNB0U7keg/s640/boatdecor7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of our saloon, the main living space in our boat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2dhBfsfmb9i4h9j-QFrUJ73y_mdJgJdUsZNCR_xvx4cNxpiArPfk7lYHm7hIAHIO04HICPyb9c4K4C8YvSvb4oaWqC1EoSCk_NtejwgF1vgGpMXZ7Rc4DFlXdC6UGVW4EdTSyg/s1600/decor2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2dhBfsfmb9i4h9j-QFrUJ73y_mdJgJdUsZNCR_xvx4cNxpiArPfk7lYHm7hIAHIO04HICPyb9c4K4C8YvSvb4oaWqC1EoSCk_NtejwgF1vgGpMXZ7Rc4DFlXdC6UGVW4EdTSyg/s640/decor2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at our saloon towards the kid's berths.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUj8RO3wusbeGPacrG-NZK18o36YroYZjNpFXoaAjuLVkUuSo2oeq2hmf57IvNGkeVvkTifkOpu-XWYdXJ1BkYBolKwW4AlJyYm7r2evFYJCO3dqlOedLX_d8gTAJZ4j0FCJ8Sw/s1600/decor3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUj8RO3wusbeGPacrG-NZK18o36YroYZjNpFXoaAjuLVkUuSo2oeq2hmf57IvNGkeVvkTifkOpu-XWYdXJ1BkYBolKwW4AlJyYm7r2evFYJCO3dqlOedLX_d8gTAJZ4j0FCJ8Sw/s640/decor3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ottomon is more toy storage and I aboslutely love those super soft herringbone print pillows. There is a fiddle that goes across the book shelf so books do not fall out, but we remove it when we are docked so it's easier for the girls to get books out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6OIz1nf1SokVU9ehqEXkHQlVFJQxrbYJIWKnaYDG0J5QZVCy1MtCS_zA8OoKGumlauzWV2KQ0orPxLnibxtK_2HJYOYy3DKC6MekAUFBk4f86ai-gnsrB7E0qMiIXN_evIA8Bw/s1600/decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6OIz1nf1SokVU9ehqEXkHQlVFJQxrbYJIWKnaYDG0J5QZVCy1MtCS_zA8OoKGumlauzWV2KQ0orPxLnibxtK_2HJYOYy3DKC6MekAUFBk4f86ai-gnsrB7E0qMiIXN_evIA8Bw/s640/decor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could not resist the pinapple, it (along with the tiny fake plants) are super light and secured with museum putty. And who can resist putting out their shell horn for decor?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0xhBQJYTYV1oIzj0hIh8Ls5oLBkExysRABIw5SxTcTtEXB4_TrnNWWnneP_2uclwARj8BzUhpI_s1kz00Q-kd7h3tphVqy1m8hjSOPry3EY7c-bIA_su2k1hMs73bDv3jiiIWw/s1600/boatdecor9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0xhBQJYTYV1oIzj0hIh8Ls5oLBkExysRABIw5SxTcTtEXB4_TrnNWWnneP_2uclwARj8BzUhpI_s1kz00Q-kd7h3tphVqy1m8hjSOPry3EY7c-bIA_su2k1hMs73bDv3jiiIWw/s640/boatdecor9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gallery wall that I love so, so much. Pictures are also easy changed out. Again, secured with industrial velcro so no holes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6lVROQDPz_Safne8tH_3Eoa-X66q9uWTuNZF5uHGA48uGr_lRnkGtw9ZoF9b6xQ4JTsWGKpoq_mPxNv1NQXR6ADN7CTEcU0NDQsEQo2xGPSCCXOvXvsmDy8hHAuBox_nbP006A/s1600/boatdecor8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6lVROQDPz_Safne8tH_3Eoa-X66q9uWTuNZF5uHGA48uGr_lRnkGtw9ZoF9b6xQ4JTsWGKpoq_mPxNv1NQXR6ADN7CTEcU0NDQsEQo2xGPSCCXOvXvsmDy8hHAuBox_nbP006A/s640/boatdecor8.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward to Isla's room. You see our newest piece of Patrick O'Brien art and some more rugs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7TqLA7bYj57o7ygHAhd1918mBNVTQIUzxmXOAzxmBpS6bttV4f1Xtr25gsEEsGzA6vRXqnEeeCGjkZJ4U5lGhtEKTU4FvobbHrQDWQdvGi3xreJlIYl6jWbeWg8jdIcjeJm9Fg/s640/boatdecor10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The twins's top bunk. They sleep up there together, by choice, despite having a bunk each. Their books are stored in bins.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7TqLA7bYj57o7ygHAhd1918mBNVTQIUzxmXOAzxmBpS6bttV4f1Xtr25gsEEsGzA6vRXqnEeeCGjkZJ4U5lGhtEKTU4FvobbHrQDWQdvGi3xreJlIYl6jWbeWg8jdIcjeJm9Fg/s1600/boatdecor10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7TqLA7bYj57o7ygHAhd1918mBNVTQIUzxmXOAzxmBpS6bttV4f1Xtr25gsEEsGzA6vRXqnEeeCGjkZJ4U5lGhtEKTU4FvobbHrQDWQdvGi3xreJlIYl6jWbeWg8jdIcjeJm9Fg/s1600/boatdecor10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFuC4cMNEnPNShqgav9lSG4DE4YxLfAn_MdkgrnHFClhf6bSXyrDZAGwz8VVQIp267XLofiBydVkd-kjsIGkgctCPpDXolRjkFPDN01Hu-KciWbOfZuTLNEc9wUAaDT1Hvkyz4g/s1600/boatdecor11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFuC4cMNEnPNShqgav9lSG4DE4YxLfAn_MdkgrnHFClhf6bSXyrDZAGwz8VVQIp267XLofiBydVkd-kjsIGkgctCPpDXolRjkFPDN01Hu-KciWbOfZuTLNEc9wUAaDT1Hvkyz4g/s640/boatdecor11.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of their room. You can see a Scout bin on the bottom bunk for their stuffed animals.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha23d4NXHMU48WA8Lc__3vEk9Qh2s7SY4wIpYoLg_Fi9nD3AEvPdBC0krI-HX2NxMEhWjPWEzpoqsUtupgr3zWapWV1VCmoX_-pfRrEuyYfripVFJT0rCusBvKeiI-8UvvsyHpaQ/s1600/boatdecor12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha23d4NXHMU48WA8Lc__3vEk9Qh2s7SY4wIpYoLg_Fi9nD3AEvPdBC0krI-HX2NxMEhWjPWEzpoqsUtupgr3zWapWV1VCmoX_-pfRrEuyYfripVFJT0rCusBvKeiI-8UvvsyHpaQ/s640/boatdecor12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isla's room which is FULL of books! The super strong bungee running the length of the shelves prevents them from flying out when we heel over.</td></tr>
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<br />Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-10715343660105033082017-06-26T08:57:00.000-05:002017-06-26T08:57:41.806-05:00Our "Normal" Life Aboard a Sailboat in Paradise: "Same, Same, but Different"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjE_lOIFkHTUV8iRh2PNqSFtDff9iFF34ua-_oVxQzsEK2QkgQ6XePh6cM_45cEXwOjcrdxWnArmHhVzLQAL2_5CEYzbSQHKJfulUVFQ13MG5bakZakiZyMt0thyphenhyphenlPD5yoqB6jwA/s1600/daddysail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjE_lOIFkHTUV8iRh2PNqSFtDff9iFF34ua-_oVxQzsEK2QkgQ6XePh6cM_45cEXwOjcrdxWnArmHhVzLQAL2_5CEYzbSQHKJfulUVFQ13MG5bakZakiZyMt0thyphenhyphenlPD5yoqB6jwA/s640/daddysail.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our family of five lives aboard our 48 foot sailboat in paradise</span>. I'm not going to lie, it's pretty awesome and as far as I'm concerned, I would have it no other way (no joke, I thank the Universe daily). That said, our living situation - while most definitely <i>not</i> for everyone - might just resemble your life in more ways than you think. I've written before about how <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2015/04/hows-it-going-with-three-small-kids-on.html" target="_blank">>>>this is our "normal"<<<</a> and how every step of our life has been an natural progression and evolution to this point...but what I have not written about is the fact that <i>despite living in a rather unconventional home on a small tropical island</i> how very normal our lives actually <i>are</i> in some ways.<br />
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***</div>
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Yes, we live on a (relatively) small sailboat. However, we are no longer "cruising" as in "journeying to places far and wide" like we once were, which greatly changes things. Sure, we go out island hopping, daysailing and <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/05/mobile-home-for-win-life-on-boat.html" target="_blank">>>> spend weekends at anchor <<<</a>. But we are no longer accumulating passport stamps or doing long passages. We have, for now, <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2016/03/why-we-chose-to-live-in-british-virgin.html" target="_blank">>>> 'settled' here in Tortola <<<</a> to focus on growing <a href="https://aristocatcharters.com/" target="_blank">>>> our business <<<</a> and our bank account for the <i>next</i> adventure. What does this mean? It means we are a part of a community. That we have some very regular routines in our lives. We know the lay of the land and go about our day to day like many other families. When you put down "roots" or - in our case - tie yourself to a dock, it doesn't matter how unconventional your home might be, life falls into step in a very - <i>dare I say</i> - "normal" sort of way.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>"SAME SAME"</i></span></div>
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We live in a "neighborhood" - <i>granted, it's floating</i> - but it is still very much a neighborhood. We are part of a wonderful community that we love and rely on. I call upon my neighbors for milk, eggs and the occasional urgent babysitting gig just like you probably do. My girls go to a little school three mornings a week and we wake up, have breakfast, and frantically try to make it out of the door before 9am - usually with me looking like a hot mess and barking orders out like a drill sergeant - just like many moms. I do morning drop-off, get school notices, and participate in school activities like many other stay at home moms. Just like most parents, I relish in the few hours my girls are in school and I use the precious time to run errands like grocery shopping, cleaning, and general house-keeping. Every now and then I'll treat myself to a pedicure and If I'm really lucky, I carve out time to write and edit photos.<br />
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My husband goes to work every day, too. It can be stressful, frustrating and a burden that limits us, just like on land. He doesn't commute to an office or wear a suit and tie, but he works very hard and <u>very</u> long hours. Sometimes he is home for dinner, sometimes not. Sometimes he leaves at the crack of dawn to fix a broken boat, and sometimes we get to have breakfast together. Most days he is up until midnight or later on his computer, working. So while the backdrop is pretty and the perks of being our own bosses are many, he'll be the first to tell you that he is very much in the "daily grind", which kind of flies in the face of the whole "living an endless vacation" image.<br />
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We adhere to a loose little routine and while the potential for island adventure (boating, beaches, hikes...etc) is always there, a lot of our days I am spending time with the girls doing things they love like playing grocery, coloring and swimming. While <b><i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/windtraveler/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a></i></b> might make our life seem like a never-ending tropic-ation, it is not. The scenery in our photos might look a bit different than yours, but I'm doing the same thing as many other stay at home moms, namely: taking my kids outside to play and burn off some energy while trying to keep my shit together. Some families go to children's museums or parks, we go to the beach. We see local children's theater (much more rudimentary than home, but still), birthday parties, and school sponsored events. Packing my three girls and whatever gear we need to 'x' activity into the car is just as big of a pain in the ass here as it is on land. <i>Sigh.</i><br />
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Despite the fact that I lean toward the <a href="http://letslassothemoon.com/2016/04/22/benefits-kids-gain-un-busy-life/" target="_blank">"un-busy" life</a> with kids (go ahead, call me lazy but there is also some reasoning here) we go to dance classes, play dates and tennis lessons. I have a car to get me to and fro and maybe like yours, mine is a total disaster area of dried up food, random toys, sticky wrappers and crumpled up papers. We have a television and while we hugely limit tv time and have banned iPads for our kids, we watch cartoons and movies. Our boat looks like a toy store vomited when our girls are in full-blown play mode and I have to harp at them to clean it up. We do crafts and go to the park. I make dinner while my girls play in our 'living room', we try to eat as a family as much as we can. We get the girls ready for bed, brush their teeth, read them books and tuck them in. Each day of our life, with some variation here and there, has some predicabilit<i>y. Normalcy.</i><br />
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My point? While the keywords of our life, namely: sailboat, tropics... rightfully elicits thoughts of an exotic existence, of which there are definitely elements - there are also many attributes of our life that are normal, mundane and - well - just. plain. <i>life</i>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"... BUT DIFFERENT"</i></span></div>
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There are, however, glaring differences between our life and a more traditional one. For starters, <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2016/08/from-cruiser-to-expat-on-fernweh-and.html" target="_blank">>>> we are expatriates <<<</a> which means that we are visitors here and, technically, could be booted out on a moment's notice which is slightly unnerving. As Americans, we are also in the minority on our rock; both in terms of skin color and culture. Every day our girls see and interact with a whole host of nationalities, accents, and languages. Our girls understand Rastafarianism and can tell you that it's a religion, that they wear dreadlocks and that most are strict vegetarians. When Isla first started school and told me about her best friend, Danya, I wasn't sure who she was. "Which one is Danya?" I asked her. "Danya is the one with the curly hair" she said very matter of factly. I still had no idea who that was. Turns out, Danya is black. Never once did Isla mention that as something that set her apart, and still hasn't six months later.<br />
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As expatriates, we are also prone to <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2016/02/expat-troubles-and-immigration-woes.html" target="_blank">>>> bureaucratic adventures <<<</a> that citizens do not have to deal with. We wait in lines in customs, we sit for hours on end at the immigration office, and every year we need to ask for permission to stay here and have a multitude of forms stamped, signed and filled out (<i>just so</i>) to make it happen. Combined, it is a tremendous amount of time spent waiting and it can get very frustrating, but it's a small price to pay for the privilege of calling this place home. Island time is for real and the pace of life is S-L-O-W, not much gets done in a hurry here. If you are impatient, <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2016/07/so-you-want-to-live-on-island-thirteen.html" target="_blank">>>> island life probably would not be for you <<<</a>.<br />
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As for our home, well <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/05/mobile-home-for-win-life-on-boat.html" target="_blank">>>> ours can move <<<</a>, which is unique and pretty cool. At a moment's notice - work and weather permitting - we can untie the lines from our dock and set sail to a whole host of places. Normal Island is just 45 minutes, Virgin Gorda four hours, we can be in St. John in just over an hour, St. Thomas in two hours, Culebra (Puerto Rico) in a full day, and St. Maarten (Dutch West Indies) is an overnight away. And that's just a few of our options! Island life is best enjoyed from the water and we are very lucky to have a front row seat.<br />
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Our boat is very comfortable and homey, but compared to most homes it is most definitely "tiny". While I find the benefits of living smaller massive (less stuff, easy to clean, close sisterly bond, more time in nature...etc), it is very different from a home. We have no garage, no back yard, and space is always a compromise. We will never host a big birthday bash or large dinner party in our 'house' because there's simply not the room for it. Our girls have fewer toys and less indoor space than their peers and as a result, we are off the boat and running around outside most of the time. I would say our girls spend an average of <i>at least </i>four unstructured hours outside in nature per day. Squirrels are replaced with chickens, our "yard' is the beach, and we spend a lot of time in the water. Our girls have held starfish, collected conch shells, and seen an octopus in the wild.<br />
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Life on our rock is also a lot less convenient than life back home. We don't have any big box stores and from time to time the produce ship doesn't come in leaving or grocery stores barren. Options for just about everything you can imagine from clothing to household good to foodstuff are not only limited, but <i>much</i> more expensive than back home (I can pay $10 for a carton of strawberries). Choices for everything are fewer and it all requires a little more effort to get. Amazon prime doesn't deliver here and receiving mail and/or packages is costly and timely. Forget the instant gratification from hitting the "buy" button, we have to buy and then either wait for a ship to come in or a visitor to act as a sherpa for goodies. Basically, everything on an island takes more time. A lot more time.<br />
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<i>Speeeeeaking of time</i>, we have more of it. Life is a bit less rushed. There is less to do. Fewer directions to be pulled. When I go home it takes weeks and weeks to get together with all of my girlfriends. Here? Planning a get together is pretty easy because, frankly, most of us are available. Life on our rock is like living in a very small town....surrounded by water ;)<br />
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***</div>
So while our life has some very obvious differences to a family that has taken a more traditional route, we also share some similarities. Our days aren't always exciting and full of fun and adventure. Some are normal days devoid of beautiful, beachy pictures and <b><i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/windtraveler/?hl=en" target="_blank">Insta-worthy moments</a></i></b>. Some, of course, are moments that dreams are made of. For the most part, however, we live somewhere comfortably in the middle.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52iTa1dugfndBvqrllmFXd0I4TXArUgO1OWLRSfeJKfUDu1niMMybZWuOpJTZ7kTwVXTDuB3Yf3C180NZ-w4flMc6LP6DxSiLr6gcP3L62dHRFpi9pAysgx8lSSk5CLuw98bllw/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52iTa1dugfndBvqrllmFXd0I4TXArUgO1OWLRSfeJKfUDu1niMMybZWuOpJTZ7kTwVXTDuB3Yf3C180NZ-w4flMc6LP6DxSiLr6gcP3L62dHRFpi9pAysgx8lSSk5CLuw98bllw/s640/cover.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">This is a view we are treated to pretty regularly, but in a lot of other ways, our life might look like yours.</td></tr>
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Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-60249751177260144822017-06-20T13:36:00.001-05:002017-06-20T22:04:32.072-05:00Beach, Please: On Playing Goldilocks, Island Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaMhfRSWqSWEX5I9EPxD3VFL6xEq027TrwKlg2A7Kepkjuu0BgguN1TB-Ll63UI2_b0Q9ZHQiADThOwFRrL_KtySQie_YWpFtURm5VJuNeMfuK1Vj6X74UKtNStIlq9141pFSYg/s1600/josiahs15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaMhfRSWqSWEX5I9EPxD3VFL6xEq027TrwKlg2A7Kepkjuu0BgguN1TB-Ll63UI2_b0Q9ZHQiADThOwFRrL_KtySQie_YWpFtURm5VJuNeMfuK1Vj6X74UKtNStIlq9141pFSYg/s640/josiahs15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It never ceases to amaze me how far away we can feel from it all on this island</span>. Despite being a pretty primo travel destination with hundreds of thousands of people flocking here every year, the island remains deceivingly underdeveloped. We are big enough to get a decent haircut or a meal, but not too big that our streets are lined with big box stores or restaurant chains. This delicate balance of maintaining island "authenticity" and halting over-development is something that is pretty unique to the British Virgin Islands and is largely >>> <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2016/03/why-we-chose-to-live-in-british-virgin.html" target="_blank">why we chose this island</a> <<< to settle on. Case in point: we can venture to to any number of absolutely pristine beaches - I'm talking jaw-droppingly beautiful shorelines that are the stuff magazine ads are made of - and more often than not we will find ourselves alone or with no more than a few others on a massive stretch of sand. No need to stake out a spot, pay for an umbrella and put down your blanket. The threat of anyone stealing your valuables while you swim is slim to none. And, <i>no</i>, you will not hear the Macarena blasting over a large speaker here... It's just you, me, and the sea, baby...<br />
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This weekend we ventured to the beautiful Josiah's Bay Beach which is known as a prime surfing spot here on island. I have written about it before, because when the <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/01/the-north-swell-rolls-in-and-i-am.html" target="_blank">>>>north swell rolls in<<<</a>, surf is up <i>big time</i> in this spot. Surfers from all over will clamor to this beach when conditions are right, and I've heard it can be epic...On this particular day, <i>however</i>, surf was not 'up', but enough to ride a body board, which is why under normal conditions this bay is perfect for beginners. We wandered down the empty beach, hearing the sound of sand underfoot and waves crashing ashore, and staked out our spot in front of the eclectic <b><i><a href="http://www.surfschoolbvi.com/#" target="_blank">Surf School BVI</a></i></b>...<br />
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Nothing more than a decked out shipping container, the surf school is just what Hollywood would lead you to believe a surf shack would look like. It's an eclectic mix of island stoke; a tattered couch sits on a platform out front, and old surfboard stuck in the ground lists offerings and prices, and just beyond that is a fire pit. Surf quotes and signs pepper the walls and toy sea turtles and fish hang from the ceiling...If it doesn't make you want to hang ten, I don't know what would. Surfboards fill the racks both inside and outside, and the place is just oozes with a chilled out surfer vibe. Steve, the guy who owns it, is as laid back as they come and also looks the part; handsome with long, sun-kissed hair and an overgrown beard, he has been nicknamed "Hot Jesus" by one of my friends. He was featured in the same >>><a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/02/that-time-we-were-models-our-shoot-with.html" target="_blank">Vineyard Vines catalog that we were</a> <<< and he could not be more accommodating and nice. We rented a couple body boards (he didn't want to charge us for them but we insisted) and Isla, Haven and Scott had a blast in the water while Mira and I watched from the shore.<br />
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All the while we were, more or less, <i>alone</i>. And let me tell you: there is no greater peace than a private beach.<br />
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We had come in the afternoon and while I am always prepared with drinks and snacks for outings with our girls, we were planning on grabbing a surf-side dinner at one of the two little beach bars here. Momzell's was the only one open (Naomi's is the other place, but was closed) and we ordered a veggie burger, fries and some chicken nuggets. The place is nothing fancy (you either eat on the beach or at a plastic table on plastic chairs), and the fare is simple but the two ladies running it were super sweet and quick with a smile. I love me a laid-back, open-air island restaurant with absolutely zero airs about it. Give me a place where no shirt and no shoes have absolutely<i> zero </i>bearing on service coupled with stiff drinks and a killer view, and you have my kind of dining establishment.<br />
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We finished our beach side meal and Scott and the girls headed to the far end of the beach where boulders and lava flow formations create an end to the beach. After thirty minutes of climbing and taking in the views, we said thank you and good bye to the sun, packed up our car and headed for home. When we left, there was not a soul left ashore and the only creatures left behind were the hungry pelicans casually soaring overhead.<br />
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Sometimes I love nothing more than a lively, party atmosphere with other people, music and a plethora of bars - and for those days I can head to >>> <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2016/01/an-afternoon-away-in-cane-garden-bay.html" target="_blank">Cane Garden Bay</a> <<< (during peak hours, because even that popular beach can be deserted!) or over to White Bay on Jost van Dyke...but to have the option to escape to a paradise of our very own? That's pretty amazing too.<br />
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In the words of one of our >> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sailwindtraveler/" target="_blank"><b><i>Facebook</i></b></a> << followers, I have found my "Goldilocks island" here on Tortola: it's not too big, it's not too small. It is<i> just </i>right.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO037ZERX9XtdcyaipBYBjTcSa9Y4qVJkQKqgFwRNLsJNCUT2t639ygHUnYg9xAx5JqcjHZ1PThu_rCKq29LTxJXwkKSwJtQxTOsYBvk7GEcrpuGuzZVDoo5JE7VB3BYxTarH-nQ/s1600/josiahs1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO037ZERX9XtdcyaipBYBjTcSa9Y4qVJkQKqgFwRNLsJNCUT2t639ygHUnYg9xAx5JqcjHZ1PThu_rCKq29LTxJXwkKSwJtQxTOsYBvk7GEcrpuGuzZVDoo5JE7VB3BYxTarH-nQ/s640/josiahs1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mira jumping on the surf watch couch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWS6z4lBMZ5oM6jDAPu3JyqFY4zegxNP24ePYkKANRhlrMWSlJJG9x9Fb0YNLku0egu8Ipa8RdVSnJ-gV5gxklcwJZfChqAv7rxcbkUKNczCedAWBM2n2t97kAlIdc41YDO-cLQ/s1600/josiahs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWS6z4lBMZ5oM6jDAPu3JyqFY4zegxNP24ePYkKANRhlrMWSlJJG9x9Fb0YNLku0egu8Ipa8RdVSnJ-gV5gxklcwJZfChqAv7rxcbkUKNczCedAWBM2n2t97kAlIdc41YDO-cLQ/s640/josiahs2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Surf School BVI, how cool is this little place? Vibes for dayz!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXriaUu9mUvC0DpoxG6BQCre0p8z66sHhJmVvnXCo9eOJXrW733UHONAHYnRzwvrMLEoAxyxbAfRLCAokVux9Q183bbuBCR1JYScilX_Muv-55REwCAPRuLvH3fXE_O-AfFkAUQ/s1600/josiahs3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1340" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXriaUu9mUvC0DpoxG6BQCre0p8z66sHhJmVvnXCo9eOJXrW733UHONAHYnRzwvrMLEoAxyxbAfRLCAokVux9Q183bbuBCR1JYScilX_Muv-55REwCAPRuLvH3fXE_O-AfFkAUQ/s640/josiahs3.jpg" width="536" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These little chicas are keen to learn how to surf. It's an elective at Isla's school next year!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU88R1ctytLRoOvOEG8Xj98TQbPdDq0808U0rXV8emcwIP491ZLoSmf4snLlKeQBIwHOUbbXid3POxiLcxKFwpXecUrgMzSlHGfV_kLy7NCj3Qx93pbooBtQWHPpCgdIA41pR7Mg/s1600/josiahs4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU88R1ctytLRoOvOEG8Xj98TQbPdDq0808U0rXV8emcwIP491ZLoSmf4snLlKeQBIwHOUbbXid3POxiLcxKFwpXecUrgMzSlHGfV_kLy7NCj3Qx93pbooBtQWHPpCgdIA41pR7Mg/s640/josiahs4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The offerings...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwdBk4Wn_xIDSyP8P0rNMq-UFO8QE5WQm_51p5Ew5CHkNwK0yq_SCQgJMeiz55cbsa7E2j2Daf-47x_YtWj0U94J-j2O_xP1YT6LMnxMatcZaa-XYpZJj28TTLBuKPL5uNNwpzQ/s1600/josiahs6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwdBk4Wn_xIDSyP8P0rNMq-UFO8QE5WQm_51p5Ew5CHkNwK0yq_SCQgJMeiz55cbsa7E2j2Daf-47x_YtWj0U94J-j2O_xP1YT6LMnxMatcZaa-XYpZJj28TTLBuKPL5uNNwpzQ/s640/josiahs6.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boards</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNh-mJTRLF3GrEXk3qv-SUEk6yotcI7CPmqth0AjgaZVqRUrUUnXqKUapObtOEDLeKjA2-wbkqzdrpZIzdxhDt7TvF5FCN8Ru-bGPHJwN7j39pJfq24b6q4Yw-Mj_98Qcnv-9pYg/s1600/josiahs7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNh-mJTRLF3GrEXk3qv-SUEk6yotcI7CPmqth0AjgaZVqRUrUUnXqKUapObtOEDLeKjA2-wbkqzdrpZIzdxhDt7TvF5FCN8Ru-bGPHJwN7j39pJfq24b6q4Yw-Mj_98Qcnv-9pYg/s640/josiahs7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mira exploring the container of stoke and wonder.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TnEA_t13riJ_S4H7lN9HFi88sT0mcokNDGueRVtiurL8gETeF5K9C28-Kd19JrJ_U-KJ5sNYW_ujPR2T5g0qOF-A6Dp8fkGtPy92U5cmFGljKhvkAcdGzgmCv1z4-4AmX8GYQQ/s1600/josiahs8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TnEA_t13riJ_S4H7lN9HFi88sT0mcokNDGueRVtiurL8gETeF5K9C28-Kd19JrJ_U-KJ5sNYW_ujPR2T5g0qOF-A6Dp8fkGtPy92U5cmFGljKhvkAcdGzgmCv1z4-4AmX8GYQQ/s640/josiahs8.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She loved looking at the boards.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-9s1ddz4-ajU2xrCFT97S7WHsrUwJ_vc1b7Nas0Rn5Px8HLMg7Rw5FtHuRcFSZwcHA2vlu8Q3KYtX5JNNVg0HRqTeBRjS4Qn9vQOlljQqsHQfJSKZ1gryfr1jhahi6vxveVFpA/s1600/josiahs9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-9s1ddz4-ajU2xrCFT97S7WHsrUwJ_vc1b7Nas0Rn5Px8HLMg7Rw5FtHuRcFSZwcHA2vlu8Q3KYtX5JNNVg0HRqTeBRjS4Qn9vQOlljQqsHQfJSKZ1gryfr1jhahi6vxveVFpA/s640/josiahs9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching little waves.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYXBZ6k-jZA2-RF4RPHZwfdMU1FcYDqmHX7h2wf9m85XfmCJChuS0RiVcOxsz9bpwKYI5dQvRqqTxVHTSWV5lRv6B9MAzJvcrlkO_AzrasM2TDvg90AxAW6pgyDtKIpoegwdm8w/s1600/josiahs10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYXBZ6k-jZA2-RF4RPHZwfdMU1FcYDqmHX7h2wf9m85XfmCJChuS0RiVcOxsz9bpwKYI5dQvRqqTxVHTSWV5lRv6B9MAzJvcrlkO_AzrasM2TDvg90AxAW6pgyDtKIpoegwdm8w/s640/josiahs10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe my favorite pic. Mira is watching her sisters having fun. See that beaming smile on her face? That is everything.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2qTj7f9_QAOHRQ_HK9E2w-j2zVx3RzDTb6Lcf4ugXY4JvqUJ_J3To2qrEFgLGpxZuRelmr1xyZ9W9qxVI4sCMLWjT2I8AWWFGOkaCKCtnbJsEzh7E1rwVsYiefk69dayRg2LUQ/s1600/josiahs11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2qTj7f9_QAOHRQ_HK9E2w-j2zVx3RzDTb6Lcf4ugXY4JvqUJ_J3To2qrEFgLGpxZuRelmr1xyZ9W9qxVI4sCMLWjT2I8AWWFGOkaCKCtnbJsEzh7E1rwVsYiefk69dayRg2LUQ/s640/josiahs11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were hooked.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01PyES0eTpy3rmnGIEEuihLGpPyRpys4THJ54EGXkFBe2GoDqDtZ6fdtRk2qb3IgC3WTJQlc40E7EN1Ay9QQ-HcYfZCnv0RTCCJ_al3fDa0lhC4JDp9slsMDQ1GHbq3c5Ucw23Q/s1600/josiahs12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01PyES0eTpy3rmnGIEEuihLGpPyRpys4THJ54EGXkFBe2GoDqDtZ6fdtRk2qb3IgC3WTJQlc40E7EN1Ay9QQ-HcYfZCnv0RTCCJ_al3fDa0lhC4JDp9slsMDQ1GHbq3c5Ucw23Q/s640/josiahs12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisters who ride together...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChjhUT25RxuKjciEQV69LFa35Y7-4pNqyJXQ3rjJExT0k6WDc3ZNEsbFudgmMe2p5OyPRizQwJ3TBG1marhFp8Umbvr8KzVZq6iL6LuPevDI1Rdjbk3XW0-u00Jm0LYvXcT9quQ/s1600/josiahs13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChjhUT25RxuKjciEQV69LFa35Y7-4pNqyJXQ3rjJExT0k6WDc3ZNEsbFudgmMe2p5OyPRizQwJ3TBG1marhFp8Umbvr8KzVZq6iL6LuPevDI1Rdjbk3XW0-u00Jm0LYvXcT9quQ/s640/josiahs13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loved this beach shack/surf shop. So much character and charm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNhDIgAZ_8URSFW2SqbKOEWpIEjD4QHRtC90GKV61vJZIinGRwXNP2e8GaWVxCeN0Lp0_JG96rU4GVMUp0x7xa87RFoUkP3b48xlEz4LXuh3ewgT5t1G793eZ6KA90T28rCO5Sg/s1600/josiahs14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNhDIgAZ_8URSFW2SqbKOEWpIEjD4QHRtC90GKV61vJZIinGRwXNP2e8GaWVxCeN0Lp0_JG96rU4GVMUp0x7xa87RFoUkP3b48xlEz4LXuh3ewgT5t1G793eZ6KA90T28rCO5Sg/s640/josiahs14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a while the waves got a bit bigger and the girls liked riding on daddy's back.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyiuQYojib54rSFKLDYfO54YpEkGuyEQQkHiq6FlIlkqqBskuyFo1jflh-NYecKonzQEGB8OmCot1A7Jj3rtV7tFKPEQhfkLbXNmGgc6dImsVti5dUwjkfnGkUSOIgvwZuTcpJQ/s1600/josiahs16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyiuQYojib54rSFKLDYfO54YpEkGuyEQQkHiq6FlIlkqqBskuyFo1jflh-NYecKonzQEGB8OmCot1A7Jj3rtV7tFKPEQhfkLbXNmGgc6dImsVti5dUwjkfnGkUSOIgvwZuTcpJQ/s640/josiahs16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Momzell's offerings and the bar.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2OETBemqOu0XjGqlcXcuvV1hFcvLKXDwKzLwfIvNsZT2ZKEgdcvYwXJpzOywibNNZv63KlPR9fNlWY9M-b-qs4wA-XTTmvh1vqONSUaFzacDjXc1V3In7ji_RjrHLBt1knLbbg/s1600/josiahs17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2OETBemqOu0XjGqlcXcuvV1hFcvLKXDwKzLwfIvNsZT2ZKEgdcvYwXJpzOywibNNZv63KlPR9fNlWY9M-b-qs4wA-XTTmvh1vqONSUaFzacDjXc1V3In7ji_RjrHLBt1knLbbg/s640/josiahs17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this bar.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVCs8LgLKYm2VkLYsJuYQaJcxDlvXsg1nHmTh1ppq7UFZgrNJYg635BWMJJVAfDgE0yWxAMrNlysex2f5mpYERnylOdLMFQ6kqRRjgLMcKqKS30dKKDn1KIzaP3jK8hU5FU7Ilw/s1600/josiahs18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVCs8LgLKYm2VkLYsJuYQaJcxDlvXsg1nHmTh1ppq7UFZgrNJYg635BWMJJVAfDgE0yWxAMrNlysex2f5mpYERnylOdLMFQ6kqRRjgLMcKqKS30dKKDn1KIzaP3jK8hU5FU7Ilw/s640/josiahs18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a peaceful dinner on the beach full of our usual dinner chit chat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNI5RI6_Yf6rck67rxketbMqPT56fN6tpyaZ6f1ZNoAq_XZYVTyEC_RI4IruPA7yrxigutexLE0MxqSH5Au3kUYRXnaC6KxQ1mAhI6AfGCClwcyK8dBVNgPnb1wNkau2aTIQ5xA/s1600/josiahs19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNI5RI6_Yf6rck67rxketbMqPT56fN6tpyaZ6f1ZNoAq_XZYVTyEC_RI4IruPA7yrxigutexLE0MxqSH5Au3kUYRXnaC6KxQ1mAhI6AfGCClwcyK8dBVNgPnb1wNkau2aTIQ5xA/s640/josiahs19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a beautiful bay and beach. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHU_Jv3zX2p68gJvus-iI7aiQE2nvBYMBVfEfTfL5a_AGBAb1s2n0NvDqiQEsZZx_u6Dud6qiRZnLP_s4LImWUQaHt_741G86AzveiQeOQuKrepzXPmgEb7OZKkQGLN00h6kRIWg/s1600/josiahs20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHU_Jv3zX2p68gJvus-iI7aiQE2nvBYMBVfEfTfL5a_AGBAb1s2n0NvDqiQEsZZx_u6Dud6qiRZnLP_s4LImWUQaHt_741G86AzveiQeOQuKrepzXPmgEb7OZKkQGLN00h6kRIWg/s640/josiahs20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls and daddy went climbing and exploring.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOEMS_OPE_XmLTEmQHPN45g8SL1hJ1ma8J9TmrtzjQIhlWGfahSEFllRxKUPf9oYkpnbubUQin1s6UGd7bMGAxKlmnIgVgE-NxiqQKG8wsoUZ6TSqLXlrrCjBc9qN_YmpoUshkw/s1600/josiahs21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOEMS_OPE_XmLTEmQHPN45g8SL1hJ1ma8J9TmrtzjQIhlWGfahSEFllRxKUPf9oYkpnbubUQin1s6UGd7bMGAxKlmnIgVgE-NxiqQKG8wsoUZ6TSqLXlrrCjBc9qN_YmpoUshkw/s640/josiahs21.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This child, she is so brilliant and amazing. Always gazing off, thinking.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLOa5nloNaKxWcYpp7XQBLOynYdBI0HAyPj0UdVWARLhyphenhyphenVr2FffXijnnreBHmeuIsMGOzfZws_gRYRxKbnNmMHqbusMQc0ASrBeNBbOUv5VHEf3yqKFrnm8rfjStmcgY4Pu1_dg/s1600/josiahs22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLOa5nloNaKxWcYpp7XQBLOynYdBI0HAyPj0UdVWARLhyphenhyphenVr2FffXijnnreBHmeuIsMGOzfZws_gRYRxKbnNmMHqbusMQc0ASrBeNBbOUv5VHEf3yqKFrnm8rfjStmcgY4Pu1_dg/s640/josiahs22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see their distinct personalities?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2i1smZs9FhWvF138v-tYa3u1FhLYBd47qEw9Fz7N1-fFP-wFXzFkkXmdEfOdzh8o6U3v6Ya5gjMaUdwgCd66ItMwsgHhdEz0dYkMFYAEOPHcnHZcRXnra4iIojxsm5KCs73I4xA/s1600/josiahs24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2i1smZs9FhWvF138v-tYa3u1FhLYBd47qEw9Fz7N1-fFP-wFXzFkkXmdEfOdzh8o6U3v6Ya5gjMaUdwgCd66ItMwsgHhdEz0dYkMFYAEOPHcnHZcRXnra4iIojxsm5KCs73I4xA/s640/josiahs24.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were sitting on a pretty high ledge here. It even made this meg-laid back mom a little nervous!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUuDNLFVXt2gsoJQ8Vn7Yfc_72ax7oh6Zwhtz0S_YtQriRaJGeK3_8146NihC9u20ndZ2tT3pi2b_WrweSTXOS4x_TP3vdJ7PV6KPMP1bkngLgC6naqfPVEbjGsuTrDkbIlyvxw/s1600/josiahs25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUuDNLFVXt2gsoJQ8Vn7Yfc_72ax7oh6Zwhtz0S_YtQriRaJGeK3_8146NihC9u20ndZ2tT3pi2b_WrweSTXOS4x_TP3vdJ7PV6KPMP1bkngLgC6naqfPVEbjGsuTrDkbIlyvxw/s640/josiahs25.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....luckily, because we let them climb and explore these three are ace climbers with great coordination.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPzQGG7GaAjT3-GtxnNxinhkNisO0boPJQTNuBzm1aREKCsJUVKHWv9Vb4flgHcPFyrkIaloqg68PuvMG2f7pC7Q9NNW9jWHOudReWFEuGjojcFEH76enk0kqKWGoMikPVjToEQ/s1600/josiahs26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPzQGG7GaAjT3-GtxnNxinhkNisO0boPJQTNuBzm1aREKCsJUVKHWv9Vb4flgHcPFyrkIaloqg68PuvMG2f7pC7Q9NNW9jWHOudReWFEuGjojcFEH76enk0kqKWGoMikPVjToEQ/s640/josiahs26.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good grief, this child. How in love with her and her zest am I? Endlessly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3M4oyHUj7QuUEirwFjM-OYzePADGqqZjEVj_LMykxkygAcPS2TAGotlK69Wb-oyUesCVHF7BOK4qAdlBd6NRdJdYFV9ylxuafEJr3dXKKSIPV0_cqFfGoV4k4k3BOQKzFcV8wA/s1600/josiahs27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3M4oyHUj7QuUEirwFjM-OYzePADGqqZjEVj_LMykxkygAcPS2TAGotlK69Wb-oyUesCVHF7BOK4qAdlBd6NRdJdYFV9ylxuafEJr3dXKKSIPV0_cqFfGoV4k4k3BOQKzFcV8wA/s640/josiahs27.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this child? To infinity and beyond!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRu80KV6eZZWh-ta6ZiT5HG-h0D1lbIU_FDTVC7oLWcjDB8zlrEUDMuanU7QspmAEjftTxx3k5ZPaQZE93H5Wy6tvTDj1H1tFzgYXxT5oGDtBpQ-ivovKxW3wleypkEZkPJ3Ilw/s1600/josiahs28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRu80KV6eZZWh-ta6ZiT5HG-h0D1lbIU_FDTVC7oLWcjDB8zlrEUDMuanU7QspmAEjftTxx3k5ZPaQZE93H5Wy6tvTDj1H1tFzgYXxT5oGDtBpQ-ivovKxW3wleypkEZkPJ3Ilw/s640/josiahs28.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Channelling her inner Moana. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_2-YE4SQjRggBRLhBvOOeGnkJpIYnRJnfTf82JoDxsBNjVtTNgS8GDoRtIyyIY2lq_qcffnJI1bJPA9K0tNpupisrcd7skEQZ9DU8wgKPBRAtmqCrzzJqBHVxChI7X1j9cO8Zw/s1600/josiahs29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_2-YE4SQjRggBRLhBvOOeGnkJpIYnRJnfTf82JoDxsBNjVtTNgS8GDoRtIyyIY2lq_qcffnJI1bJPA9K0tNpupisrcd7skEQZ9DU8wgKPBRAtmqCrzzJqBHVxChI7X1j9cO8Zw/s640/josiahs29.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isla bidding farewell to the sun in our signature, "Goodbye sun, thanks for a great day!" way.</td></tr>
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<br />Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-49413894195474618252017-06-15T09:29:00.000-05:002017-06-15T09:38:33.712-05:00Just Do It: Saying "Yes" and Breaking out of the Comfort Zone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcW71P3e8Q46pLZ44lbX_Y4lECP6IY1y9w_WEWy9HyhffeGkTn5Hq03ZYSRWpGynfkNJvmAno6Rc-Qr44VpZZhO8nJv6OfnyND4BUnZ6MLjh8TRbl10ZbFYvRqCGtltjV-mH7PQ/s1600/rocktreat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcW71P3e8Q46pLZ44lbX_Y4lECP6IY1y9w_WEWy9HyhffeGkTn5Hq03ZYSRWpGynfkNJvmAno6Rc-Qr44VpZZhO8nJv6OfnyND4BUnZ6MLjh8TRbl10ZbFYvRqCGtltjV-mH7PQ/s640/rocktreat1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What do you get when ten women writers </span>who live on different rocks, are total strangers, and have vastly different life stories become roommates in a villa in the middle of Old San Juan? An estrogen-charged "Real World" but with more mature characters who use big words, that's what!<br />
<br />
Okay, just kidding. What you get is magic. <i>Pure. Friggin'. Magic</i>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
And to think I almost didn't go.<br />
<br />
<i>Let me back up...</i><br />
<br />
When I got the message inviting me to the first annual <b><i><a href="http://womenwholiveonrocks.com/" target="_blank">Women Who Live on Rocks</a></i></b> Writing Retreat, my gut reaction was "No". For one, I had never actually <i>written</i> for the site, which I was pretty sure made me some sort of interloper. Then there's the simple fact that I write so infrequently these days I <i>hardly</i> feel I can call myself a "writer" (sad face)....but the worst was the general insecurity: <i>What if I'm the worst writer there?</i> <i>What if I bring nothing to the table? What if I suck?</i> <i>What if they don't like my blog?</i> <i>What if they don't like me?</i> Self-doubt began to creep in and I told myself that I had no real place in what I viewed as a club of writers who most certainly were more "writer-ly" than I.<br />
<br />
Despite these initial reactions soaking in an abundance of self-doubt, my response was not a "no", but a <i>"Cool! Let me check with my husband...</i>"<br />
<br />
My interest, you see, was piqued.<br />
<br />
Because here's the thing: I love to write. I want to write <i>more</i>. To satisfy the urge that compels me to write and share is 100% vital to my happiness ... I want to put "writer" on the little box in the customs form when I land somewhere new (okay, I already do that sometimes and it feels good).<br />
<br />
I wanted to learn more, I wanted to be inspired and - truth be told - I wanted a little vacation from my life. Yes, you read that correctly. <i>Vacation. From. My. Life.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>***</i></div>
<br />
It's been over five years since I have gotten away on my own without kids. <i>FIVE YEARS</i>. That's a lot of time to be in a daily grind with hardly any "self-love" breaks minus a night here or there and some mani/pedis. While I love spending time with our girls, the thought of five full days of not having to get up with them, cook for them, referee them, yell at them <i>(yes, I yell from time to time. Okay, daily.</i>) and, in general, be completely depleted by the day's end by them was really, <i>really</i> appealing. The fact that I could leave Scott in charge made it that much more of a no brainer.<br />
<br />
After much hemming and hawing and a lot of procrastination - I <i>finally</i> said yes. It was scary and nerve wracking and uncertain, but I said "I'm in!" When I put my portion of the deposit down on what would be our shared villa, I secretly held on to the notion that I could back out at any time. One foot in, one foot out. It's a signature non-committal move of mine that I resort to a lot. Pathetic, but true.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
As the time drew nearer it became very clear I would be abandoning my post at pretty much the worst time. <b><a href="https://aristocatcharters.com/daysailing/" target="_blank">Our business</a></b> was going through a major shift change with old employees leaving and new ones coming on, Scott was up to his eyeballs in bureaucracy and the daily running of our company, and stress was high. I began to get cold feet again. <i>How will my family manage without me?</i> <i>Will the girls be okay?</i> <i>Will our business get neglected while I'm away because Scott has to focus on the kids?</i> <i>Is it ridiculously selfish for me to up and leave at a time like this? What if there's a boat emergency and Scott has to go at a moment's notice? Will the kids survive without me? </i>More than a few times I almost backed out with legitimate reasons to do so.<br />
<br />
And yet I didn't.<br />
<br />
I packed my bags, took a deep breath and boarded the plane to Old San Juan for what would turn out to be one of the best weekends of my life (And that's saying a lot because I hold down the "fun" button <i>hard.</i>)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
I was the third of our group to land and immediately met with <a href="http://womenwholiveonrocks.com/" target="_blank"><b>Chrissann</b></a> (the genius organizer and purveyor of all things awesome, seriously, this girl is a powerhouse of amazing) and <b><a href="http://drinkingthewholebottle.com/" target="_blank">Jen</a> </b>(who would become my bunkmate as well as an insta-best friend - I LOVE YOU JEN!) We drank an abundance prosecco while we waited for our villa to be ready and before we knew it, we were giggling and laughing like old girlfriends. Like we'd known each other forever. Like we were three besties reunited for a girl's weekend. It was <i>that</i> effortless and easy.<br />
<br />
And <i>that's</i> when I knew I was in for an amazing time with amazing people.<br />
<br />
One by one the women arrived, and each time it was like meeting kindred spirit. There was no drama, no awkwardness...it was all love. I realize it sounds corny and my words are for sure not doing the whole thing justice, but it was amazing. Despite vast differences in almost every conceivable way, the tie that bound us was our love of writing. We <i>"got"</i> each other. Not only were we all writers, but we all lived on "rocks" and we all were there to learn and be supportive. There was no ugly competitiveness, jealousy, or judgement ... just open hearts and minds. Turns out, when you put a group of women together who are <i>smart</i>, <i>strong</i>, and <i>share a passion</i>... magic happens.<br />
<br />
And, okay, we all like to drink. A lot. That helped too. What can I say? We are island girls and most of us imbibe on the daily. Truth be told, nothing breaks down barriers like tequila.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
We laughed so hard our bellies hurt, we cried on each other's shoulders from time to time, we supported one another unconditionally, and we shared and over-shared as people are wont to do when they feel secure. I walked away from that weekend with a full heart and total peace in my soul. To feel 100% safe to be yourself, say what you want to say, and be who you are is a wonderful - <i>and sometimes illusive</i> - thing. To be able to do this with nine strangers? That's a friggin' miracle, folks.<br />
<br />
I wouldn't have believed it was possible if I didn't say yes. I wouldn't have known the joy that is finding your sister-tribe if I hadn't said yes. And I certainly wouldn't have walked away with nine new life-long friends if I didn't say yes.<br />
<br />
I learned that I am worthy.<br />
I learned that I have something to offer.<br />
I learned the power that a tribe of positive, energetic writers can possess.<br />
I learned that women really, <i>really</i> need other women.<br />
I learned that girl's trips are going to be a 'thing' I make more time for.<br />
I learned that funny, smart women are <i><u>totally</u></i> my jam.<br />
<i>(well, I always knew that...but this drove it home)</i><br />
I learned that cucumber infused tequila with soda water is pretty much the elixir of all things amazing.<br />
<br />
I learned all this and so much more.<br />
<br />
I said yes, and like a small wave in a pond, the ripple effects of that single "yes" will follow me and be felt on the shores of my soul forever.<br />
<br />
Sometimes saying yes is hard and awkward and tough. Sometimes it takes sacrifice. But from now on - despite the fact that it can be hard for me to break from my zone - I'm going to say "yes" a little bit more. Who knows where that next one might lead me.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
To read an awesome play by play of our amazing weekend, here's the recap of the <b><i><a href="http://womenwholiveonrocks.com/want-to-peek-into-our-1st-island-writers-retreat/" target="_blank">1st Island Writer Retreat</a></i></b>. And to further illustrate the amazing time, here's a few pics from our weekend. I only used my "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V73JZY6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00V73JZY6&linkCode=as2&tag=windtraveler-20&linkId=50635cb309079564171d029965efffca" target="_blank"><b>good camera</b></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=windtraveler-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00V73JZY6" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />" in the daytime so our nighttime shenanigans (of which there were many, we were out until after midnight every night) are not represented here. Probably for the better...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJU0oQd5O3yWuvUBis-z7Y3NNYgYwRanCV8QrtaFNsjHYOYbXQg18iUNknuwFuIRnu_wXubZCpB7KaIuMoBrE__hH1Pv9dHOXFMlaDvQuP-oI7Tb-tFipbNT5ATCREagnQ7Aw4A/s1600/rocktreat4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1600" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJU0oQd5O3yWuvUBis-z7Y3NNYgYwRanCV8QrtaFNsjHYOYbXQg18iUNknuwFuIRnu_wXubZCpB7KaIuMoBrE__hH1Pv9dHOXFMlaDvQuP-oI7Tb-tFipbNT5ATCREagnQ7Aw4A/s640/rocktreat4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is them first meeting in person. You cannot fake this.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLVG2bbYIJgJVL4TDF0F1fxLCK9jOeqpqaV_XBdkZJcNLO0O-XiSCKb453JnrYXH-EhPtdsX58lg5Q16WVFXZp1NDBxqJRcVveh3unUl3dEgfUpylrBOhSbgubFw446TDGYPb0w/s1600/rocktreat5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLVG2bbYIJgJVL4TDF0F1fxLCK9jOeqpqaV_XBdkZJcNLO0O-XiSCKb453JnrYXH-EhPtdsX58lg5Q16WVFXZp1NDBxqJRcVveh3unUl3dEgfUpylrBOhSbgubFw446TDGYPb0w/s640/rocktreat5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Jen. She is pretty much the best thing ever. I want her near me ALWAYS. She's moving to Mexico, so I'm going to Mexico soon. ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxzJjXAY5rmarN-dI4KP7mAYBXm1rmNLVWE6Xbk8MZ71IF0eXYpW4CAi0ALt7c3eQAoc26uS1z62Q73tcb_r2MR0EqvKwwxOkCNM7NDrSfDoywHrv_4Zb0kYuU8WHpV2CgDZ4iw/s1600/rocktreat10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxzJjXAY5rmarN-dI4KP7mAYBXm1rmNLVWE6Xbk8MZ71IF0eXYpW4CAi0ALt7c3eQAoc26uS1z62Q73tcb_r2MR0EqvKwwxOkCNM7NDrSfDoywHrv_4Zb0kYuU8WHpV2CgDZ4iw/s640/rocktreat10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for this? THESE TWO ARE NOT RELATED!! Amazing right. Can you feel the love or is it just me?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLI1WnYXoynPvAhXhsupoOjvEZFKI1jPc7soWM3xLk_hESeJBhcCQk-MzGZmfW1mlhMpzeMRe0SV-vax3zBy44f6LjylmXC8PFpsuAM7_ZcKGvy6NtXuuHw8nQYMEuIv-69TOLA/s1600/rocktreat11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLI1WnYXoynPvAhXhsupoOjvEZFKI1jPc7soWM3xLk_hESeJBhcCQk-MzGZmfW1mlhMpzeMRe0SV-vax3zBy44f6LjylmXC8PFpsuAM7_ZcKGvy6NtXuuHw8nQYMEuIv-69TOLA/s640/rocktreat11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chatting in our lovely 3 story villa Chrissann organized for us.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdJVLFNzteuMExB69510U3F-Tmzzr4-_k29gQkNk1e1zMSN-K3BtMEgUsvJAs1erfVXLkh83v1eQZzj1QCWTv3dJNbL1FJQTUBd6EseOqmKBdJq4o9dCEocz-PM1aUNO7xZvUXw/s1600/rocktreat12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdJVLFNzteuMExB69510U3F-Tmzzr4-_k29gQkNk1e1zMSN-K3BtMEgUsvJAs1erfVXLkh83v1eQZzj1QCWTv3dJNbL1FJQTUBd6EseOqmKBdJq4o9dCEocz-PM1aUNO7xZvUXw/s640/rocktreat12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our faces had perma-smiles the whole weekend. I kid you not. When you find your tribe, it's bliss!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCV2fNbTXQlCRYXzGMKaNxjyTF8Lx7Jg_vtvaeswNRBdLKk0FBJmGBTiWM-e1o_xgy7N7aJRzcqtmCusMD4461lCmQEsERyhhDKOnV3a9z2_FatEkwioJql2SfxH8d8YJ32S4U9A/s1600/rocktreat14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCV2fNbTXQlCRYXzGMKaNxjyTF8Lx7Jg_vtvaeswNRBdLKk0FBJmGBTiWM-e1o_xgy7N7aJRzcqtmCusMD4461lCmQEsERyhhDKOnV3a9z2_FatEkwioJql2SfxH8d8YJ32S4U9A/s640/rocktreat14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, we also laughed A LOT. It actually helped burn off all the food we ate because we ATE SO MUCH FOOD.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gl6WsKQohVw9EwhRsM1p2MuQQV9qy2aBMbcNo7p1arhQLYqPjHgJALYEGmVw4WXkoqwwHO62KfRDgIAuv7nlrmb9hm_qIjMrxZikgBKMVoS-IkFmd6Lqp5TuuugaqAJAsqT9ow/s1600/rocktreat15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gl6WsKQohVw9EwhRsM1p2MuQQV9qy2aBMbcNo7p1arhQLYqPjHgJALYEGmVw4WXkoqwwHO62KfRDgIAuv7nlrmb9hm_qIjMrxZikgBKMVoS-IkFmd6Lqp5TuuugaqAJAsqT9ow/s640/rocktreat15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See? We did work. Every day we had roundtable discussions that were so inspiring and productive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtB0Jgc5jmfu70o-FB0hbyBrgaefzkywwoy1gx2m2GQNvd5t6RM-cOpp3BM4c4ACANDXWMBIw_quEm1IQRxQcH-ago2p0f_jjuKdCFMglEZ6SOBWU7LvcPPKloCRMeOqhZxjOoHQ/s1600/rocktreat17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtB0Jgc5jmfu70o-FB0hbyBrgaefzkywwoy1gx2m2GQNvd5t6RM-cOpp3BM4c4ACANDXWMBIw_quEm1IQRxQcH-ago2p0f_jjuKdCFMglEZ6SOBWU7LvcPPKloCRMeOqhZxjOoHQ/s640/rocktreat17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were unleashed inside the Mall of San Juan where we drank lots of bubbles and bought lots of goodies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5JTEVBLyE70iZzdq6vyf8OVYFVF8nVMJHtmyXOBNNzT3r-jE8S9E3B2HVQtVMaC6igIZZhLDdoAtze8PqAo5sXHyZekd0_tgYNTKPb5oM-huDdt2Gioirqxsx2qy5MvsaTmTYg/s1600/rocktreat21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5JTEVBLyE70iZzdq6vyf8OVYFVF8nVMJHtmyXOBNNzT3r-jE8S9E3B2HVQtVMaC6igIZZhLDdoAtze8PqAo5sXHyZekd0_tgYNTKPb5oM-huDdt2Gioirqxsx2qy5MvsaTmTYg/s640/rocktreat21.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chrissann organized VIP treatment wherever we went, it was so incredible. And delicious.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SCB_HVEqMQ7D00cRv3vfPlwJYCAYfGtG3QIfB2nY5RVJuUP9ecwR_yaXYdKJcNjYrQPLgu-Tfghrob7JCEk_nPOJeFqPYHx-bNkBuP2XZQv32Ez9d5RqMCPsxX_Oa1yvKSacwA/s1600/rocktreat27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SCB_HVEqMQ7D00cRv3vfPlwJYCAYfGtG3QIfB2nY5RVJuUP9ecwR_yaXYdKJcNjYrQPLgu-Tfghrob7JCEk_nPOJeFqPYHx-bNkBuP2XZQv32Ez9d5RqMCPsxX_Oa1yvKSacwA/s640/rocktreat27.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Lush Cosmetics in the Mall of San Juan. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-aWGO1bHlJO6wryiPejVWqttftPqSPRgtnOiv1Zn2OHcboNcJz4ME512sbv6qnfdGOpPanoy5XpteQZCxTsK5GDIUTbTk2zFv6-b4Cs0G3jTnFZnAQ3L-b8aPiQ3k7ZU6K9B7g/s1600/rocktreat28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-aWGO1bHlJO6wryiPejVWqttftPqSPRgtnOiv1Zn2OHcboNcJz4ME512sbv6qnfdGOpPanoy5XpteQZCxTsK5GDIUTbTk2zFv6-b4Cs0G3jTnFZnAQ3L-b8aPiQ3k7ZU6K9B7g/s640/rocktreat28.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because mud masks are fun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CPVYSKDXF-bkgXRkLDeTAf0V6g8_pDc99vxRgeDfXuYGUpWbfr8t7-GaweHua_UtWOb9Oa4Sh8HokvN6qXtjRqHj77BXYKFIeP_x2wb5fpS-MPyR95FmLvSEsivJUpMfiATCpQ/s1600/rocktreat29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CPVYSKDXF-bkgXRkLDeTAf0V6g8_pDc99vxRgeDfXuYGUpWbfr8t7-GaweHua_UtWOb9Oa4Sh8HokvN6qXtjRqHj77BXYKFIeP_x2wb5fpS-MPyR95FmLvSEsivJUpMfiATCpQ/s640/rocktreat29.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue mask = Blue steel. Obvi.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnutsISA4JZszLVqWwZzla1vN3OkxFawyZOiRQc1MkzrK8JHuGb5pV_QJIxLpHRfhAFaSNiNmJvYEx-wXQKD2kf-b8af5jbZTfjUPATgzJql9vgqAQXXJ5i7_nrc7yAab3boDyw/s1600/rocktreat30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnutsISA4JZszLVqWwZzla1vN3OkxFawyZOiRQc1MkzrK8JHuGb5pV_QJIxLpHRfhAFaSNiNmJvYEx-wXQKD2kf-b8af5jbZTfjUPATgzJql9vgqAQXXJ5i7_nrc7yAab3boDyw/s640/rocktreat30.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our posse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9NdlWF2KVCRXVI3oTY7Dk3PQP3Z7SqVRS4QPCaS7RBdz6VT9SY2rUliDt-KpUwdWFbto65RfchRcdZ9f4D06WfEO6-Fgudi31kY0wF87_JIikrJv9epbkMH45vRvNFGdi_jqDg/s1600/rocktreat31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9NdlWF2KVCRXVI3oTY7Dk3PQP3Z7SqVRS4QPCaS7RBdz6VT9SY2rUliDt-KpUwdWFbto65RfchRcdZ9f4D06WfEO6-Fgudi31kY0wF87_JIikrJv9epbkMH45vRvNFGdi_jqDg/s640/rocktreat31.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful women</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27P_RfZlG_JwYkO1DX2f9e7iQ1W7B6J3NGxUgUPpp13w7AgZGwYBwyFz47NvenBic-hbti7RueA0oVVyDVc8xm_07wAs19iuDbiE-aDg4cyPu7lXshdZc8IZ1GSvab8kypP1w8w/s1600/rocktreat34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27P_RfZlG_JwYkO1DX2f9e7iQ1W7B6J3NGxUgUPpp13w7AgZGwYBwyFz47NvenBic-hbti7RueA0oVVyDVc8xm_07wAs19iuDbiE-aDg4cyPu7lXshdZc8IZ1GSvab8kypP1w8w/s640/rocktreat34.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our trip with VIP Adventure Tours in San Juan was unforgettable! We pet manatees!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7U4IBfT4cywomzTs3uv0cuUR6f0RePP4Y0OjZyOBFe0dXshgvZFpWeVs7fCH1pq28_edNVFsQJfnOCB3b8M1cDqOKqbdK9gs_VqOb3Tvf_Xvu9AmmCHpeUTpnyyr0Fr0TE9j7jA/s1600/rocktreat37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1147" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7U4IBfT4cywomzTs3uv0cuUR6f0RePP4Y0OjZyOBFe0dXshgvZFpWeVs7fCH1pq28_edNVFsQJfnOCB3b8M1cDqOKqbdK9gs_VqOb3Tvf_Xvu9AmmCHpeUTpnyyr0Fr0TE9j7jA/s640/rocktreat37.jpg" width="458" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVED walking the streets of Old San Juan. I felt like I was in Spain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6cm44wgGII7em6crgjhrjv_qcl_hUl0xn3UjYWO8Wmg-Q51Bu7oBcgzTKeish8zc7qfZnP7Gk9yCjDmO84H5EOM4JdoMYYIPtL7xPV9FGZyuKttNm_CxAbVglU67EeFN8qgwUQ/s1600/rocktreat40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6cm44wgGII7em6crgjhrjv_qcl_hUl0xn3UjYWO8Wmg-Q51Bu7oBcgzTKeish8zc7qfZnP7Gk9yCjDmO84H5EOM4JdoMYYIPtL7xPV9FGZyuKttNm_CxAbVglU67EeFN8qgwUQ/s640/rocktreat40.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much food. Pirilo Pizzaria Rustica in Old San Juan did NOT disappoint. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRSWiQgl7gZnJ45mKxwLmM5LPEy1jexy7i1xX9tUBd7MUl-ZgnObQeo7274n5ySAQEsVT-HmGm4PXLpAfmmkC_11kUxXRILTRNQ_a9hKMqu1Z6zM1fEv1EnCxLL_McUK4x0QwvQ/s1600/rocktreat44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRSWiQgl7gZnJ45mKxwLmM5LPEy1jexy7i1xX9tUBd7MUl-ZgnObQeo7274n5ySAQEsVT-HmGm4PXLpAfmmkC_11kUxXRILTRNQ_a9hKMqu1Z6zM1fEv1EnCxLL_McUK4x0QwvQ/s640/rocktreat44.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More round table sessions. Loved these times with these girls. So much support and encouragement.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7tq047BV2weGORANk6aNtTw7llGej6vHneqiqvWunA2dLpbMEWZUb5KEmlGLZoaA7_6S-vcUr6OHUzs6HvA2SfW2rPXhqhJkuhPROUuQDNVRr4OU6FwW67ypy5mryYIUc8Ms4g/s1600/rocktreat42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7tq047BV2weGORANk6aNtTw7llGej6vHneqiqvWunA2dLpbMEWZUb5KEmlGLZoaA7_6S-vcUr6OHUzs6HvA2SfW2rPXhqhJkuhPROUuQDNVRr4OU6FwW67ypy5mryYIUc8Ms4g/s640/rocktreat42.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and this is where you could usually find us. Bellied up, to some bar, having the time of our lives. Love you girls!</td></tr>
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To read more of about the retreat and to follow my amazing writer sisters, check these links:<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Chrissann Nickle, Virgin Gorda: <a href="http://womenwholiveonrocks.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Women Who Live on Rocks</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737;">Jennifer Legra, Dominican Republic: </span><a href="http://drinkingthewholebottle.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1982d1; margin: 0px; max-height: 80px; max-width: 1000px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Drinking the Whole Bottle</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #373737;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737;">Riselle Celestina, St. Maarten: </span><a href="https://thetravelingislandgirl.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1982d1; margin: 0px; max-height: 80px; max-width: 1000px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Traveling Island Girl</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #373737;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737;">Mariah Moyle, The Bahamas: </span><a href="https://www.outislandlifebahamas.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1982d1; margin: 0px; max-height: 80px; max-width: 1000px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Out Island Life</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #373737;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737;">Claudia Hanna, Cyprus: </span><a href="http://www.livelikeagoddess.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1982d1; margin: 0px; max-height: 80px; max-width: 1000px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Live Like a Goddess</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #373737;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737;">Liz Wegerer, Bonaire: </span><a href="https://theadventuresofislandgirl.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1982d1; margin: 0px; max-height: 80px; max-width: 1000px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Adventures of Island Girl</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737;">; </span><a href="https://islandgirlwriting.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1982d1; margin: 0px; max-height: 80px; max-width: 1000px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Island Girl Writing</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #373737;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737;">Lizzy Yana, St. Thomas, VI: </span><a href="http://www.islandlizzy.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1982d1; margin: 0px; max-height: 80px; max-width: 1000px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Island Lizzy</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #373737;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737;">Jennifer Morrow, Puerto Rico: </span><a href="https://jentheredonethat.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1982d1; margin: 0px; max-height: 80px; max-width: 1000px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jen There Done That</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #373737;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737;">Sherri DeWolf, Key West: </span><a href="http://deeplycreative111.wixsite.com/mysite" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1982d1; margin: 0px; max-height: 80px; max-width: 1000px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Deeply Creative</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737;">; </span><a href="http://islandjanemagazine.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1982d1; margin: 0px; max-height: 80px; max-width: 1000px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Island Jane</a></span>Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-28042988903919566572017-05-31T06:38:00.000-05:002017-06-03T16:30:42.402-05:00Mobile Home For the Win: Life on a Boat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12EJs8u5XTtowg2XOjS4cAzJjZRxjGEFa4qdpjUux3BEjmlOtsTQBkKMt2y5K4VEFjf9hyphenhyphenJ91QYK977H1CMyWoXpr9sMv_RtXFHyikmsHYPCfX3cHpUHTwmAs0x5T_uO1BysNHQ/s1600/peterisland1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12EJs8u5XTtowg2XOjS4cAzJjZRxjGEFa4qdpjUux3BEjmlOtsTQBkKMt2y5K4VEFjf9hyphenhyphenJ91QYK977H1CMyWoXpr9sMv_RtXFHyikmsHYPCfX3cHpUHTwmAs0x5T_uO1BysNHQ/s640/peterisland1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When you have young kids in tow, travel can be tricky</span>. Throw in a set of three year old twins who have no shortage of "spunk" and are a healthy dose of "feral", and it gets even tricker. Simply <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2016/08/flying-solo-with-three-kids-under-four.html" target="_blank">>>>flying back to my mom's<<<</a> stateside with my three creates an angst in me of epic proportions, and despite living a <i>slightly</i> more "simplified" life than most landlubbers, we still end up with heap tons of crap. And this here is probably the number one reason I <i>love</i> living on a boat: We can travel in our home. All that crap comes with us.</div>
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Granted, it still can be challenging to travel with tots on a boat (I mean, it's a boat), but it's still our home and, <i>well</i>, it certainly doesn't get much easier than that as far as travel prep goes. No packing lists necessary. No worrying about forgetting lovies, sound machines or the special "baby socks" that for some unknown reason must be worn <i>every. single. day.</i> No need to try and pare down the absolute essentials of our lives in duffle bags and backpacks, or pack the perfect spectrum of snacks that can be both nourishing and still used as effective bribing tools. We just untie the lines and go. Everything we could ever want or need is right here in our very own floating home. <i>#mobilehomeFTW</i></div>
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There are negatives, of course. Boats are kind of bitchy at times. They are money pits. They can be confining and cluttered. They break a lot, <i>yadda yadda yadda</i>... Then there are the personal constraints: we are not able to travel very far at the moment, nor do we travel very fast, or very <i>much</i> for that matter...this is dictated by choice, of course...our current situation as <a href="https://aristocatcharters.com/" target="_blank">>>>business owners<<<</a> and parents of three small children keeps us tethered close but no matter what, the potential is there and that alone provides a wellspring for possibility. So while the trips to Europe, Africa and South East Asia that I am scheming in my head will have to wait, it's perfectly okay because we don't need to go very far from our slip to feel worlds away. Being situated here in the <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2016/03/why-we-chose-to-live-in-british-virgin.html" target="_blank">>>>British Virgin Islands<<<</a> means we are literally surrounded by amazing places to explore in every single direction. Some are a day or two away, some no more than an hour. </div>
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This past weekend our neighbors (fellow live-aboards) asked if we wanted to sail over to Peter Island with them. My plan for the afternoon <i>had</i> been to do a massive purge of kids' clothes and toys (I am forever tweaking, minimizing, and organizing over here)...so when Scott broached the subject of a daysail with me; a night at anchor sounded much, <i>much</i> better. Within a few moments we were off the dock and underway. Yep, it was that quick and simple. Just untie the lines, raise the sails, and set our home free.</div>
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We had a great day that turned into night with our friends; swimming, exploring, tubing and finally relaxing in our cockpit for some good conversation and drinks. The breeze was consistent and cool, and the yellow glow of our overhead lights cast a sepia tone over everyone as we laughed and chit chatted while the stars came out overhead. Hours effortlessly and lazily slipped away until all the kids started yawning and falling asleep, signaling to us grownups to get them home and to bed.</div>
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It was a getaway of less than twenty-four hours, but it was fantastic.</div>
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We plan to do this more. A lot more, in fact. </div>
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<i>Speeeeeaking</i> of travel, I have some fun little plans myself...</div>
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This weekend (as in, I leave tomorrow!) I am headed to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico with nine other island-based writer women for a long weekend of fun, writing, learning, and - okay, let's be honest - a hefty dose of cocktailing. The agenda is amazing and will be doing everything from paddleboarding to clubbing, and of course we'll be learning from, supporting, and sharing with each other as well. I am truly honored to have been invited on this first writing retreat (hopefully the first of many!) and if the group WhatsApp chat is any indication of what is in store I am going to be in the company of some wonderful, talented and seriously hilarious women. If you want to follow along on this retreat, I will be posting lots of pictures on both <b><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sailwindtraveler/" target="_blank">>>>Facebook<<<</a></i></b> and <b><i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/windtraveler/?hl=en" target="_blank">>>>Instagram<<<</a></i></b> with the hashtag <b><i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/rocktreatpr/?hl=en" target="_blank">>>>#RocktreatPR<<<</a></i></b>. In the words of Chrissann, the founder, "there will be no shortage of shenanigans." <i>Word.</i></div>
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Okay, enough of that for now...back to Peter Island...here's a few pics of our night away:</div>
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#MobilehomeFTW, indeed.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3L8uNfQ7U_l1bGmla0PiCOH4woek_BAhj-o4FBBABFxEulsBfphi2ur-7POUbdYTstqH9rpdauX0yp_1iMvw87LLbrCqcpj6T890itJp9Z4qVUXLVDmTAOXSt7JNuvHl27v1C4A/s1600/peterisland2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3L8uNfQ7U_l1bGmla0PiCOH4woek_BAhj-o4FBBABFxEulsBfphi2ur-7POUbdYTstqH9rpdauX0yp_1iMvw87LLbrCqcpj6T890itJp9Z4qVUXLVDmTAOXSt7JNuvHl27v1C4A/s640/peterisland2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our girls are so content to sit in the breeze underway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiID86d2YY2bvG9BXwhzC8VfCS85OeC1c0spmfqYb1EJpJcfxAYbPTIssXvjOnIGP9IwgLkVFkSuADXqolauu6sByJOeLahOXbboqqqx2oYEVyL5WC4yh4y7Q2EOQ0TxHkM3riihg/s1600/peterisland3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiID86d2YY2bvG9BXwhzC8VfCS85OeC1c0spmfqYb1EJpJcfxAYbPTIssXvjOnIGP9IwgLkVFkSuADXqolauu6sByJOeLahOXbboqqqx2oYEVyL5WC4yh4y7Q2EOQ0TxHkM3riihg/s640/peterisland3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They chit chat and play.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqzRw2p1o8w86iEc5qoW-sA9gMv7U_-7IXEu2oZYGXx9lAO-qFoFhVadABgTcWOqSfVnpmNQcSBgtdupl152aq4c12VC2nNgP0-1_qET1D5NdHjDODxf53iBKIN4tvLjMi1j9Hg/s1600/peterisland4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqzRw2p1o8w86iEc5qoW-sA9gMv7U_-7IXEu2oZYGXx9lAO-qFoFhVadABgTcWOqSfVnpmNQcSBgtdupl152aq4c12VC2nNgP0-1_qET1D5NdHjDODxf53iBKIN4tvLjMi1j9Hg/s640/peterisland4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our friends and neighbors aboard s/v Santa Arka</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAr57uSbxzv2bgy2w8c_LCQF1VVAxir0iJ93LxuEoOJgXfs-MNjgrCFYaHUXar8HketV-Uz_JE591470ixZGj2Ha0A9i3KzvIL2gKaIsZFPwqQEJaMjyPc_0A-qBhsVJqOd3VcQ/s1600/peterisland5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAr57uSbxzv2bgy2w8c_LCQF1VVAxir0iJ93LxuEoOJgXfs-MNjgrCFYaHUXar8HketV-Uz_JE591470ixZGj2Ha0A9i3KzvIL2gKaIsZFPwqQEJaMjyPc_0A-qBhsVJqOd3VcQ/s640/peterisland5.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a beautiful calm sail with all sails up. Isla took her usual spot on the bow, singing into the wind.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JAzAqgzpH_80y0o33Lpg6PHT3cjmBk0QjUBCG70NYkXc49WpM7WNwmDZSIleJ5CfBznAgFTI0OAwzd4rp_9bceMamvNYWUhZi8JDUU-NCAOboGrlbouGDEEj-mIbVI1dD6uaWQ/s1600/peterisland6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JAzAqgzpH_80y0o33Lpg6PHT3cjmBk0QjUBCG70NYkXc49WpM7WNwmDZSIleJ5CfBznAgFTI0OAwzd4rp_9bceMamvNYWUhZi8JDUU-NCAOboGrlbouGDEEj-mIbVI1dD6uaWQ/s640/peterisland6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haven was giddy to be arriving at Great Harbor. So giddy, in fact, she stripped naked.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbOIQTLL7k4RxQQcJ1RN-T0TPUsxvAdQfi9ZWnzPCnzgOX_sFnisKIe3G621uE-RFl56W18t_zfL4H0t-UPguj5R98NEO_ZDY33szJZmt23VXpoe6LG0g3Basv-PIC_n81hohVw/s1600/peterisland7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbOIQTLL7k4RxQQcJ1RN-T0TPUsxvAdQfi9ZWnzPCnzgOX_sFnisKIe3G621uE-RFl56W18t_zfL4H0t-UPguj5R98NEO_ZDY33szJZmt23VXpoe6LG0g3Basv-PIC_n81hohVw/s640/peterisland7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This kid...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3gD9imhurPZUyiHYnsQclAi72E9o3eZHHANvhEbGHTmvMGbj7-ARxafWmd9fp6HUp6WGsDl00Wz_2wvtKcvbsSRVNri98poVYqp6vvx_qsu-_KPfqmlCZSJsqartJb7uznGDzA/s1600/peterisland8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3gD9imhurPZUyiHYnsQclAi72E9o3eZHHANvhEbGHTmvMGbj7-ARxafWmd9fp6HUp6WGsDl00Wz_2wvtKcvbsSRVNri98poVYqp6vvx_qsu-_KPfqmlCZSJsqartJb7uznGDzA/s640/peterisland8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our other neighbor, s/v Demeter. With our three boats there were about 11 kids with us! So fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvUTkkFpQGSMGpsjkTBiacCSKdQICFC1Yc3JkRWdvJezSq2mjyAfWxiedRvlLHMLuWYvroN2telpx3fT_nKcx5tJmrTwayyB1P5pQDGr4kZt6C-hpZYhziFqZ6zAzrOyx-oi2qg/s1600/peterisland9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvUTkkFpQGSMGpsjkTBiacCSKdQICFC1Yc3JkRWdvJezSq2mjyAfWxiedRvlLHMLuWYvroN2telpx3fT_nKcx5tJmrTwayyB1P5pQDGr4kZt6C-hpZYhziFqZ6zAzrOyx-oi2qg/s640/peterisland9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I *finally* finished the gallery wall I started about two months ago. I absolutely love it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsw2RmnCveVR3BarLgA2r72196bVxh2aGZSEumLAyLrrxst5Ye240Jp2CweUkY4vbeLKCvBao0FnVob4LxIybsnHsfoTugkqUoWtATFBxTnPCQP6_kBnLUR2cB5rue0JOcT5W4A/s1600/peterisland10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsw2RmnCveVR3BarLgA2r72196bVxh2aGZSEumLAyLrrxst5Ye240Jp2CweUkY4vbeLKCvBao0FnVob4LxIybsnHsfoTugkqUoWtATFBxTnPCQP6_kBnLUR2cB5rue0JOcT5W4A/s640/peterisland10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isla and daddy playing a game of parcheesi in the v-berth. I was spying ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBURSG25I8r_RSKecLIgzceHXxKruc_i8PVzYRuvxSoXojKLggNAs8Tdb5SWzcJfU2T6lDyV0gPON_sh60xpQXxF4QglNGC-vRWM9LTtIaAOJ1IB5GSGbUY95-YSKkWBskzg3New/s1600/peterisland11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBURSG25I8r_RSKecLIgzceHXxKruc_i8PVzYRuvxSoXojKLggNAs8Tdb5SWzcJfU2T6lDyV0gPON_sh60xpQXxF4QglNGC-vRWM9LTtIaAOJ1IB5GSGbUY95-YSKkWBskzg3New/s640/peterisland11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we are #twinning, we are seriously #twinning. I could not love this pair any more. So different, but so in love.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsZFVk_33gA1YCfA1WROkzH3kEkphKAfos2NEZ-9o76wf6cgspH5o4ztEz5uYb562PdC31TXRa06KEv85sCfv3C6RP_4lnf0VI3H9B7TbpAq-TdT8tj0eu2bT_I6xjbFJGufyUQ/s1600/peterisland12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsZFVk_33gA1YCfA1WROkzH3kEkphKAfos2NEZ-9o76wf6cgspH5o4ztEz5uYb562PdC31TXRa06KEv85sCfv3C6RP_4lnf0VI3H9B7TbpAq-TdT8tj0eu2bT_I6xjbFJGufyUQ/s640/peterisland12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuuuuuubing with one of our favorite tweens.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCUS2hOQq47f_EmekN3ZoLkNKJLNZ8khXKcK3hcAvLtbysG3DyZyKEyCY-ka4Gc4xtYjXOrQqEy12XZGDsnw9XrXSsylIl20YjqAehjYpgHz1HYhv3lOBjVjr7et93jSfZRKL9w/s1600/peterisland13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCUS2hOQq47f_EmekN3ZoLkNKJLNZ8khXKcK3hcAvLtbysG3DyZyKEyCY-ka4Gc4xtYjXOrQqEy12XZGDsnw9XrXSsylIl20YjqAehjYpgHz1HYhv3lOBjVjr7et93jSfZRKL9w/s640/peterisland13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This does not get old. Ever.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0OR4kmzlqC1O9OfavDgw6lL_wdIttQPQY5zL0pdEG34ef2H7UxxaYZgMcpDnu84ebVanTd0J2b7deIM1gkbbGDbM-BhAruvUd8EtwW-X27BrUxrvNjQ1Y1rj3AJtidufJlZgAg/s1600/peterisland14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0OR4kmzlqC1O9OfavDgw6lL_wdIttQPQY5zL0pdEG34ef2H7UxxaYZgMcpDnu84ebVanTd0J2b7deIM1gkbbGDbM-BhAruvUd8EtwW-X27BrUxrvNjQ1Y1rj3AJtidufJlZgAg/s640/peterisland14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Goodbye sun, thanks for a great day!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPk0l2yN61MiKA78i9G4_41VH61OSmoAUSehWsZIu9jbHoIOO8nkrl7WLYmpxCIfLa5E6_0FGohZYtwY90_nk4M0N5gjFY5zIZv1pOaC1vaIfO1tf9Z7Qq-jD4VgudgYn82AaKg/s1600/peterisland15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPk0l2yN61MiKA78i9G4_41VH61OSmoAUSehWsZIu9jbHoIOO8nkrl7WLYmpxCIfLa5E6_0FGohZYtwY90_nk4M0N5gjFY5zIZv1pOaC1vaIfO1tf9Z7Qq-jD4VgudgYn82AaKg/s640/peterisland15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daily breakfast. Oatmeal with banana and cinnamon, and a liter of coffee. Yes, I drink a whole liter of coffee. #twins </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdYoEStCI25jDW5uI3-bFyTzdZJ2s8tSTkdMT5LC6f91GaH3w4NQNs15lHLc-JK7cnrIrXBmKiq2WC6GYHNiT3jGM9EoLH7AsiYd7eQNJkappG3C_lO06BIjUX81en3TG8V6Y9A/s1600/peterisland16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdYoEStCI25jDW5uI3-bFyTzdZJ2s8tSTkdMT5LC6f91GaH3w4NQNs15lHLc-JK7cnrIrXBmKiq2WC6GYHNiT3jGM9EoLH7AsiYd7eQNJkappG3C_lO06BIjUX81en3TG8V6Y9A/s640/peterisland16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott took Isla and Haven exploring on the paddle board and perched up on this rock for a good long while.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnP5F3v05-Nlc8xV7JoxqeRsd5ljOVUkqlbxLpCHAWYvy3l7D2V88ONEjV8fZ-OD3hhNzQBs784jfbX5A89E9XO0xlNG2oPt6ko-dMG4e8RH8y5HM99emPcAtqT2ghyphenhyphen9MJ9WpQA/s1600/peterisland17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnP5F3v05-Nlc8xV7JoxqeRsd5ljOVUkqlbxLpCHAWYvy3l7D2V88ONEjV8fZ-OD3hhNzQBs784jfbX5A89E9XO0xlNG2oPt6ko-dMG4e8RH8y5HM99emPcAtqT2ghyphenhyphen9MJ9WpQA/s640/peterisland17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mira opted to stay back and cuddle with me. I can never deny snuggles from this little pickle-pie.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9e71qgBHYCGlf5uD603QGOyAAGug-gI0sCKfW9BoI0wn7rOJKK4PHwLj39_mqSbr-wxDreY9k9jJWnZsuo5HnB62BBLysDZzhBGlf2NvDcr9eXEphmm4UN1I4NRi308gpeRZpwA/s1600/peterisland18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9e71qgBHYCGlf5uD603QGOyAAGug-gI0sCKfW9BoI0wn7rOJKK4PHwLj39_mqSbr-wxDreY9k9jJWnZsuo5HnB62BBLysDZzhBGlf2NvDcr9eXEphmm4UN1I4NRi308gpeRZpwA/s640/peterisland18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On their way back from exploring. We left shortly after because the girls and I had a birthday party to attend at 10:30am. </td></tr>
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<br />Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-26685322692783961752017-05-22T14:44:00.004-05:002017-06-20T13:37:44.760-05:00A Mother's Day Mini-Vacation in Maho Bay and a Nostalgic Awakening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZgm3pBBjdmR-7LXj0GMLf8Evo14XKyetCmq24ZiTSeDG3-4w_SCltWSfWLdu8cFeBlcwMztluVAozOrbHi0JUJIvQdfkRcS0QMM9qV82jIqP6PwbF0OI00UNBf6mbfF2KQcrsA/s1600/stjohn1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZgm3pBBjdmR-7LXj0GMLf8Evo14XKyetCmq24ZiTSeDG3-4w_SCltWSfWLdu8cFeBlcwMztluVAozOrbHi0JUJIvQdfkRcS0QMM9qV82jIqP6PwbF0OI00UNBf6mbfF2KQcrsA/s640/stjohn1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"What do you want for mother's day?"</span> Scott asked me while looking up from his computer. I was making breakfast, the girls were being their usual boisterous selves, and it took me about .02 seconds to reply, "Go to St. John for a night and have brunch in Cruz Bay!" St. John, while part of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), is a short sail from where we are, and with the blissful haze of our last <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/05/getting-off-dock-recharge-refresher-and.html" target="_blank">>>>quick getaway<<<</a> fresh on my mind I was thirsty for more...so thirsty, apparently, that one night away turned into four...</div>
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St. John, despite the minor nuisance of having to clear out of customs here in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), being that we are US citizens and approved for the SVRS (small vessel registration system) clearing in on the "US side" requires nothing more than a phone call. It makes trips over to St. John not only appealing, but rather easy as well. It's one of the perks of being an American and another perk of <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2016/03/why-we-chose-to-live-in-british-virgin.html" target="_blank">>>>living in the BVI<<<</a>...so many places to sail for a quick getaway!</div>
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St. John is easily one of my favorite islands and, after having been to most of them from the Bahamas to Trinidad at least once (and some two or three times), we've seen enough to know what we like. First of all, most of the island is national park, meaning that vast swathes of the place are completely untouched and undisturbed. The hiking is reported to be amazing, though we have not experienced much of that being that we've had three kids three and under for most of the time we've spent there. Then there are the beaches...these are the beaches that beach dreams are made of! White sand, turquoise water, abundant sea life, and a calm, inviting shoreline. You gaze out at a island dotted horizon with gently lapping waves at your feet and a side of <i>OH MY GOD PINCH ME</i>. It's pretty amazing.</div>
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Our plan was to head out on Saturday morning, spend the day on a mooring (you cannot anchor in most places in St. John being that it's national park) and dinghy into Cruz Bay, the island's main - and picturesquely beach-chic adorable - "town" for brunch the next day.</div>
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When we approached our favorite spot to tie up - the <i>purty-as-a-picture</i> Maho Bay - I was met with a wave of happy nostalgia tinged with a hint of melancholy... We have <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2015/02/salt-life.html" target="_blank">so many great memories</a> here in St. John and have had some very good times in this particular bay, from the <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2015/03/haven-and-mira-turn-one-island-style.html" target="_blank">>>>twins' first birthday party<<<</a> to <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2016/06/maho-bay-where-magic-happens-and.html" target="_blank">>>>Lobsterfest 2016<<<</a>, and many others in between, mostly with our best friends from <a href="http://www.itsanecessity.net/" target="_blank"><b><i>It's A Necessity</i></b></a>. At first it felt odd not meeting them here, or seeing their boat pulling up from their former base of St. Thomas, but we quickly settled in and enjoyed this new normal. If there is one constant in life, it is change and as people who have lived a semi-nomadic life (and certainly become friends with very nomadic people!) this constant ebb and flow is normal...not always easy, mind you, but normal. Goodbyes are inevitable in this part of the world.</div>
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As we swung on our mooring ball after arrival I got to work making lunch and the girls immediately wanted to jump in the water for a swim and a paddle. If there is one perk to living at anchor (and there are many!) it is definitely the ability to swim off the back of the boat. After a paddle, swim and a freshwater rinse we ate our lunches in the warm breeze of our shady cockpit and readied the kids for their naps. I retreated with my book and Scott kicked back for a well-deserved snooze. The two+ hour siesta that happens every day here is a welcome and blessed event. [AMEN for naps, people.]</div>
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Our afternoon was slotted for beach time and Scott took the girls on the paddle-board while I followed in the dinghy after packing a simple picnic dinner for us all. The girls were their independent and industrious little selves, oscillating between working away with their sand toys and splashing in the water while Scott and I sipped our respective beer and wine and watching them in that adoring <i>"oh my gosh our kids are so amazing"</i> kind of way that all parents do when kids are happy and cocktails are in hand. We closed down the beach and lingered as the last sole beachgoers while the sun sank into the sea in a dreamy, blood-orange haze. We did not make haste until the hungry no-see-ums could be bared no longer (when the sun sets, those suckers come out with a vengeance) and we scampered into the dinghy, slapping our legs and thighs while we did so. </div>
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We dinghied back home for a fresh-water rinse, jammies, stories and a bedtime lullaby of gentle rocking and the cool breeze through our boat.</div>
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The next morning was Mother's Day and I enjoyed it in bed while Scott and the girls made me crafts. Letting me sleep in is a gift in and of itself and eventually I woke to the pitter patter of excited little feet on the cabin sole above me punctuated by the shrill, happy laughter from a game of "tag". I quickly made my daily liter (wince) of coffee and off we went to brunch.</div>
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<b>Brunch.</b></div>
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Oh, let me ruminate on that word for a moment. <i>Brunch</i>. That blissful and delectable meal that is not quite breakfast and not quite lunch but somehow allows for alcohol to be shamelessly consumed before noon in the form of Bloody Mary or Mimosa... <i>Sigh. </i>I love me some brunch (Remember, I come from the City of Chicago which has singlehandedly made brunch it's b*tch.)</div>
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I don't get too many opportunities to do brunch these days, mostly because it is rare on our rock (only a couple places serve it to my knowledge and only on Sundays) and also because I almost always have three kids in tow who are up against naptime and not always the easiest of restaurant companions. But I digress...back to <i>brunch: </i>We hopped in the dinghy for the 20 minute ride into town and settled on the Waterfront Bistro where I devoured (delicately, of course) the most delicious <i>huevos rancheros</i> I have ever had. Of course I washed it down with four mimosas, which were equally delectable and gave me a happy beach-side buzzed up glow. The girls were well behaved, I got lots of compliments on my "<i>Tired as a Mother</i>" slogan tee-shirt and we dinghied back to our boat with full bellies, happy hearts and ready for naps.</div>
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We had <i>planned</i> to make our way back to Tortola that afternoon but I begged Scott to stay out just one more night..."It's so nice out here!" I pleaded. "You can tether to my AT&T SIM (for internet) to get work done (check emails, etc) while the girls are sleeping...pretty <i>pleeeeease</i>?" I begged. Scott, of course, conceded and we settled in for another afternoon of beach, picnic, sundowners and lounging. Despite what it may look like, we do not get much time as a family with Scott <a href="https://www.spinsheet.com/caribbean-sailing/working-paradise" target="_blank">>>>running our business<<<</a>, and this getaway was a welcome change of pace for all of us.</div>
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The next morning we opted to do the grueling hike to Colombo's Smoothie Shack. "Grueling?" you say? Well, while not a true "hike" through the wilderness (you follow the paved road all the way up to the top of the hill above Maho) it is <i>incredibly</i> strenuous as a significant portion of it is nearly vertical. Difficult on your own, for sure, hard as HELL when you are carrying a thirty-five pound three year old who just can NOT hack it anymore (Isla, for the record, did the whole thing without a single complaint!!) The reward, of course, is worth it otherwise we would never subject new friends to such pain, for at the top of this <strike>cursed hike</strike> demanding walk are the most delicious smoothies ever known to man. (Pause) Okay, perhaps that's an exaggeration, but after walking uphill for forty-five minutes I dare you to taste a <i>tour-de-flavor</i> of fruit that better excites the palate and cools the core as those served at Colombo's. They are GOOD and <i>so </i>refreshing. This time I tried a soursop, pineapple and passionfruit blend - slurping it down all red-faced and dripping with sweat - and if there is such a thing as fruity ecstasy, I reached it. We finished our smoothines and all began the hike downwards on jelly-like legs with a bit more energy and the overwhelming consensus that, "Yes, those smoothies were <i>definitely</i> worth it."</div>
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And so our days continued in this manner...we'd wake up, meet friends, hike, beach, swim, go home for naps, make a plan to leave, and then... <i>not</i>. We did this for two more nights. The highlights of this wonderful extended weekend away were (as usual) meeting up with two great families, first the family behind <b><i><a href="https://laridae.ca/laridae/" target="_blank">S/V LARIDAE</a></i></b> who also have three kids aboard and, after a significant sailing sabbatical, are in the process of selling their boat. The other were the <b><i><a href="http://www.sailingkanaloa.com/" target="_blank">PREPPY NOMADS</a></i></b> who's mamma bear is pretty much my sister from another mister. So much so, that a mutual friend had said before we even met, "Oh, you and Renn <i>need</i> to hang out - you would get on like a house on fire." After weeks and weeks of trying to coordinate after our first meeting (yep, we clicked) we were able to meet for one final hurrah before they too would step off their boat and move on to new adventures (check out their <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/svkanaloa" target="_blank">>>>YouTube Channel<<<</a></i>!). Getting to meet up and hang out with these two families was a major highlight for us.</div>
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Finally, the time came to return. The girls had missed a couple days of school, Isla had missed ballet and tennis and we were feeling pretty delinquent as parents. Not to mention Scott had a business to run. After four days of fun, we dropped our mooring ball and said goodbye to Maho, yet again.</div>
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I must say, being back has had me in a tiny bit of a funk. So many feelings that have laid dormant this past two years were awakened; the feeling of being free, untethered, and able to roam freely. We simply do not have that anymore. Just as arriving in Maho made me nostalgic for our friends, the trip itself made me wistful of our old cruising days. Granted, we are in the place we are meant to be right now and I would have it no other way (I am grateful every single day for this lifestyle and how and where we are able to live), but that feeling of missing a time gone by...that came up while we were out long enough to get a little taste of how it 'used to be'. The time will come again for us to venture further and elsewhere, and though we don't know when that will be or what that will look like, it is just beyond our reach...For now - I am happy right where we are knowing there are many adventures to be had in our own back yard - and happy to know that within me my wandering spirit is stirring...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagKnbfyD0Gp-IP61Z5rpIgsLbd3sd-WWQFrZEmIC6mkpJ2bnm9Bc0Qy2F2pxcOCnnpU8u1XjXSRj0KZT7gWht6KqTYLbHugUm13hZuULQ3ECtvJxrymZ1DAdij95PFkcDRO-4JA/s1600/stjohn2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagKnbfyD0Gp-IP61Z5rpIgsLbd3sd-WWQFrZEmIC6mkpJ2bnm9Bc0Qy2F2pxcOCnnpU8u1XjXSRj0KZT7gWht6KqTYLbHugUm13hZuULQ3ECtvJxrymZ1DAdij95PFkcDRO-4JA/s640/stjohn2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underway, these days, our little food set is the big playtime hit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtk1CAyEZ06NdvPO6WASlFkVfevDs43xr8sHNjI0ac48y8bKnfPH78Kd8PbIoHSAl7qkw0uq3W25Z4e6WrbZmlTd7ZzmJzPkfj45yVAOpBwLIc19wVaz4IcNW82txaEonk94Msw/s1600/stjohn3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtk1CAyEZ06NdvPO6WASlFkVfevDs43xr8sHNjI0ac48y8bKnfPH78Kd8PbIoHSAl7qkw0uq3W25Z4e6WrbZmlTd7ZzmJzPkfj45yVAOpBwLIc19wVaz4IcNW82txaEonk94Msw/s640/stjohn3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mira examines fruit while daddy clears us out of West End, BVI</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXPtgwHyIl7pXVGZvgHqkchMx3JohRVO0DKraRPMVc8X9BLh_dDhJWaXfJIQ0tMlpKwPjwpFLCvF_vZwNKnrxHmAHNhD1z8w-BfMuchx1sR56c26EQEC9rlreHLeHUeSbPdd5Kw/s1600/stjohn5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXPtgwHyIl7pXVGZvgHqkchMx3JohRVO0DKraRPMVc8X9BLh_dDhJWaXfJIQ0tMlpKwPjwpFLCvF_vZwNKnrxHmAHNhD1z8w-BfMuchx1sR56c26EQEC9rlreHLeHUeSbPdd5Kw/s640/stjohn5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boat hair, don't care.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrQboGbzOgTynCskdzEldwdKMp3VgCQ23zHVJMc8xLmVsAfj936OjisT5MBNRAKHj_ply6km4l-hrOITErl9KfcWO08uUCOdnisKdceRiqmBejnSKqbbspzULuYetXqJmykGiGQ/s1600/stjohn6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrQboGbzOgTynCskdzEldwdKMp3VgCQ23zHVJMc8xLmVsAfj936OjisT5MBNRAKHj_ply6km4l-hrOITErl9KfcWO08uUCOdnisKdceRiqmBejnSKqbbspzULuYetXqJmykGiGQ/s640/stjohn6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out towards St. Thomas from Maho Bay, St. John</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAI8kLabn-koHHSNNT7PrAsJbn6XjymvEOpPJxOJay2cnUgtOV7pH32vSG9YlD95W7DfLDDjyDSfhamj0wZAtu7LB1WxUd4g6Z-Y0IGrw7_Z-WvK1tBXff1EnoE3WdtTF_udp7g/s1600/stjohn7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAI8kLabn-koHHSNNT7PrAsJbn6XjymvEOpPJxOJay2cnUgtOV7pH32vSG9YlD95W7DfLDDjyDSfhamj0wZAtu7LB1WxUd4g6Z-Y0IGrw7_Z-WvK1tBXff1EnoE3WdtTF_udp7g/s640/stjohn7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These goofballs untied themselves from the boat and floated off. Daddy to the rescue!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqgvpNaZbGI_wtxfcoPI1doMF3SdnB30k6C1JUejQotUQxHLAA_qVnXOiHAc4JyBeBlB59o46wHGedNP7Fq3fLq2eTRyJomjznW_iEB0UDCYHwZt-T5bHNf-0uphpML83Rvazpg/s1600/stjohn8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqgvpNaZbGI_wtxfcoPI1doMF3SdnB30k6C1JUejQotUQxHLAA_qVnXOiHAc4JyBeBlB59o46wHGedNP7Fq3fLq2eTRyJomjznW_iEB0UDCYHwZt-T5bHNf-0uphpML83Rvazpg/s640/stjohn8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mira and daddy going for a swim, this one is just not as keen as her sisters to swim without floaties. In good time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWH-TPWmIxu2EiPczFnG1x4oU4QzFVIMNKIWa7uSd3BmcjMbwIbdicuaFVzYskd89h03z-BhRCp-LmCbsw5VdLBtw592zZpTPOimkBXoG-WqxR6gbn2bhJw7FBGra0i4siXTQB-Q/s1600/stjohn9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWH-TPWmIxu2EiPczFnG1x4oU4QzFVIMNKIWa7uSd3BmcjMbwIbdicuaFVzYskd89h03z-BhRCp-LmCbsw5VdLBtw592zZpTPOimkBXoG-WqxR6gbn2bhJw7FBGra0i4siXTQB-Q/s640/stjohn9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a reason they call this "The Golden Hour"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDImdN5i8sEj9Jh6xVXs9BC1E3hy7cjk6jDVje3x8Sn-XeiFqwOgoAN11u_5rgdtxEyquUf03i4VtZB9-nBEcUN_NMM8sZLJNGu2qRT86vxDPknPp-JowREwBJMMqyUFaobi1vgw/s1600/stjohn10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDImdN5i8sEj9Jh6xVXs9BC1E3hy7cjk6jDVje3x8Sn-XeiFqwOgoAN11u_5rgdtxEyquUf03i4VtZB9-nBEcUN_NMM8sZLJNGu2qRT86vxDPknPp-JowREwBJMMqyUFaobi1vgw/s640/stjohn10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilling on the paddleboard with our new friends.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41EzUNt3FupGXVvO_BONHkASRyU7-cR4s10KODV6qjlVyCO7f01yn284q3JOc4dCT5oFodfW_m_lz6Kq2t9ONgycuRsVTNTNgw_4RKYxsP63fDa3kaapdnmDZJ5I37k6IvLFwxg/s1600/stjohn11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41EzUNt3FupGXVvO_BONHkASRyU7-cR4s10KODV6qjlVyCO7f01yn284q3JOc4dCT5oFodfW_m_lz6Kq2t9ONgycuRsVTNTNgw_4RKYxsP63fDa3kaapdnmDZJ5I37k6IvLFwxg/s640/stjohn11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salt life.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmUuVTv8sQ8ItXcBjGaH-bvkb0PLhUsA2XoZQgf087DPZkA6AvxirzimIlZyQb1GMzKgSE-4Plfs71BdY_XimvfGy61-kjvj_Jv-6A83_h0mYdErsi3ujRX76OVFYg2SIBIRWsQ/s1600/stjohn12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmUuVTv8sQ8ItXcBjGaH-bvkb0PLhUsA2XoZQgf087DPZkA6AvxirzimIlZyQb1GMzKgSE-4Plfs71BdY_XimvfGy61-kjvj_Jv-6A83_h0mYdErsi3ujRX76OVFYg2SIBIRWsQ/s640/stjohn12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty much every evening looked some variation of this.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOjITITVkhMdjZZ4Wkg9FOtBfxAwRR5Wv2xz20jdi_Q3vTL5PAPqiddHytbnGi5W4MQvHxdddgqqicDRHukhehyphenhyphenH82GgRihVJyXznYvKlJhW3TFlT-xUgZm_ckB6IyYnnXk4xtw/s1600/stjohn13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOjITITVkhMdjZZ4Wkg9FOtBfxAwRR5Wv2xz20jdi_Q3vTL5PAPqiddHytbnGi5W4MQvHxdddgqqicDRHukhehyphenhyphenH82GgRihVJyXznYvKlJhW3TFlT-xUgZm_ckB6IyYnnXk4xtw/s640/stjohn13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Stunning way to end the day! "Goodbye sun, thanks for a great day!" </td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcD3kFvVwLBVsHAXZuEFGg528OYOuvcs_n97nvS_d1RVOcYS3CXLAeOk1hUNFnxAWIxbwgwv0ChHcFBwYqD4CpR8VFHCbQTHEQM_FVovS1eDHdewImOpu-LKbH7if90VdrUgZgtg/s1600/stjohn14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcD3kFvVwLBVsHAXZuEFGg528OYOuvcs_n97nvS_d1RVOcYS3CXLAeOk1hUNFnxAWIxbwgwv0ChHcFBwYqD4CpR8VFHCbQTHEQM_FVovS1eDHdewImOpu-LKbH7if90VdrUgZgtg/s640/stjohn14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">While we are outside almost all the time at anchor, Isla loves coloring and crafts and there's time for that too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0o5b3rpU-d_rPmrmkmZ2xWa3_UyPIxWjQNE8-sn22wP6JHOTotnVmL275Ixcg6lph0x0dhljTlJdS1tXNl4rOV-fgPuZl0CPsVYjbwyVu3e0sWNi0sYGhx4nsmFNZ8UwbY3_eAA/s1600/stjohn17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0o5b3rpU-d_rPmrmkmZ2xWa3_UyPIxWjQNE8-sn22wP6JHOTotnVmL275Ixcg6lph0x0dhljTlJdS1tXNl4rOV-fgPuZl0CPsVYjbwyVu3e0sWNi0sYGhx4nsmFNZ8UwbY3_eAA/s640/stjohn17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">They are very serious about their beach creations and concoctions.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilfziWaOEj91vdF7gHx3CsBk7DV8_5Gr-cmTUHE-VQ1ZJAlDJRos0mBBvu6ptu6w6jsYSV-Da1p80DCJazZr1LAdb7nbt3YAwb0wk9wLPpRSHmPaLBkrokjyYONgM1jC2vIlSiA/s1600/stjohn18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilfziWaOEj91vdF7gHx3CsBk7DV8_5Gr-cmTUHE-VQ1ZJAlDJRos0mBBvu6ptu6w6jsYSV-Da1p80DCJazZr1LAdb7nbt3YAwb0wk9wLPpRSHmPaLBkrokjyYONgM1jC2vIlSiA/s640/stjohn18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Upstaged. I swear. They stripped naked and started running into the water together laughing hysterically.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYbt6YN_69LpRqQdu4Nl8zVqQGz0UAP1CSLbgAu7_64KqYej3nOzxPEBW9mlQL5xCKgQ5N8oplEVNFpSWQWznUBuq3H_aLwpp52mREra08bl2kZ3gYx2tZqi7QL7SRUfY28uUMA/s1600/stjohn20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYbt6YN_69LpRqQdu4Nl8zVqQGz0UAP1CSLbgAu7_64KqYej3nOzxPEBW9mlQL5xCKgQ5N8oplEVNFpSWQWznUBuq3H_aLwpp52mREra08bl2kZ3gYx2tZqi7QL7SRUfY28uUMA/s640/stjohn20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Daddy, catching zzzz's when he can.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4eM9Ara93es5U0m9n8xBDgU3GOeSu7EUoq_8TPcs5oRdEf3ScjysqCZwKPRN6S0A4Z0FWfT9yDgzzCLvU-NQD5yH81M-BRA3dgwIcUJ72NLGRlR0Ed9RDYK3U_R8jY3fN28WPQ/s1600/stjohn21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4eM9Ara93es5U0m9n8xBDgU3GOeSu7EUoq_8TPcs5oRdEf3ScjysqCZwKPRN6S0A4Z0FWfT9yDgzzCLvU-NQD5yH81M-BRA3dgwIcUJ72NLGRlR0Ed9RDYK3U_R8jY3fN28WPQ/s640/stjohn21.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Columbo's smoothie shack. A must visit!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyd2RRH1mm5TiAKE1xRubIQc_NweZUCyTP_c8wcL4Ws59222tH-uCrsVO9mGeN2ZPoZrKxPf1FdT-BzkRlzMHTHS4PF39Tj5Dq4v9M00o-6iNTyjxZE972QFnE8wM1hUd5hrqenQ/s1600/stjohn23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyd2RRH1mm5TiAKE1xRubIQc_NweZUCyTP_c8wcL4Ws59222tH-uCrsVO9mGeN2ZPoZrKxPf1FdT-BzkRlzMHTHS4PF39Tj5Dq4v9M00o-6iNTyjxZE972QFnE8wM1hUd5hrqenQ/s640/stjohn23.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Yum, yum, yum.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OmTnBJePlt5tzlBKq7nVSeOe25bn1s9NAN2qEiwk4IOEN_eMbbwfvxhzknK7GQW-H05sNiZDlxLgvKo0a0pfOmGfif6PWInVsivC3qegVpCBuMBd6NsChs06zp5ZvDYDGfAQhw/s1600/stjohn24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OmTnBJePlt5tzlBKq7nVSeOe25bn1s9NAN2qEiwk4IOEN_eMbbwfvxhzknK7GQW-H05sNiZDlxLgvKo0a0pfOmGfif6PWInVsivC3qegVpCBuMBd6NsChs06zp5ZvDYDGfAQhw/s640/stjohn24.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Even Mira, the pickiest eater on the planet who doesn't usually like smoothies, drank all hers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4fyXoq4QZeYDvN3fQ0u7XudCEu3nH9ZwwZJltJE-EzIqGcmPMtZExjMlhBriQIMHG6FEIMM7lF9IoeSNs5KY0CptKTTsyjTZvgschrJwhDGeodBxlL72q_IRm-6C7dh2e8DRJA/s1600/stjohn25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4fyXoq4QZeYDvN3fQ0u7XudCEu3nH9ZwwZJltJE-EzIqGcmPMtZExjMlhBriQIMHG6FEIMM7lF9IoeSNs5KY0CptKTTsyjTZvgschrJwhDGeodBxlL72q_IRm-6C7dh2e8DRJA/s640/stjohn25.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">St. John is full of wildlife...but you should NOT feed them because iguanas that come this close are clearly too tame!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAURUBde8dp1UJS5hthbSh6lqB2whpNEEnmDtynJrYsBpz2n32oFGViucP-DeKCUyNe6HC35VoFCm129GrBujUbD0SszaOXSC0j-_9z4oCEssHAg-9C3ybk0YgAyihZqpDUaMeQ/s1600/stjohn26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAURUBde8dp1UJS5hthbSh6lqB2whpNEEnmDtynJrYsBpz2n32oFGViucP-DeKCUyNe6HC35VoFCm129GrBujUbD0SszaOXSC0j-_9z4oCEssHAg-9C3ybk0YgAyihZqpDUaMeQ/s640/stjohn26.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Naptime. Bliss for all.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYbBv3Vkt6ARO5WZ0A42i-6esBby3-Z_iCSzvtv3x9u8iHorzEFRQar-42OnWE_dWEg75KuAL8gnODh4GoqdFToEEEfBgw5kIfnFPbWn_j1YswiYBr0GoBcedke4J2NOy5pGllw/s1600/stjohn27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYbBv3Vkt6ARO5WZ0A42i-6esBby3-Z_iCSzvtv3x9u8iHorzEFRQar-42OnWE_dWEg75KuAL8gnODh4GoqdFToEEEfBgw5kIfnFPbWn_j1YswiYBr0GoBcedke4J2NOy5pGllw/s640/stjohn27.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never got a great shot of a sea turtle, but they are all over the place in St. John. Literally popping up every few minutes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCWsjoAxknlKzk0scAjmdXzGapVSKOBYs1AdDBjGCIZq0kZkySrdfj3y9ogLIdDq70h_d_cBEsRxACh51J-3iMrOrRv6kDm1O56ZTnXljXCPKHe4kcevif1-GynaWJVueCThjPA/s1600/stjohn28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCWsjoAxknlKzk0scAjmdXzGapVSKOBYs1AdDBjGCIZq0kZkySrdfj3y9ogLIdDq70h_d_cBEsRxACh51J-3iMrOrRv6kDm1O56ZTnXljXCPKHe4kcevif1-GynaWJVueCThjPA/s640/stjohn28.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">also, seagulls....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitslfrpaRkLBsgrZZKja8di_AMUmTEzEhN38S7jFbhXQO1Hz1zswc1kb6LOQkVjoK159VoztLVRh6mAy8s3_8RiK_Zw36eTUwYY7436Ct1-ZGEZhkAWzX2InnPS_IBfGG8ccyyUw/s1600/stjohn29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitslfrpaRkLBsgrZZKja8di_AMUmTEzEhN38S7jFbhXQO1Hz1zswc1kb6LOQkVjoK159VoztLVRh6mAy8s3_8RiK_Zw36eTUwYY7436Ct1-ZGEZhkAWzX2InnPS_IBfGG8ccyyUw/s640/stjohn29.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixing potions</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5PX8_QNM1qeC_UypGqZzRVRquF3o91bGMSjEiuNpaf72yTVS0nD8GOQhY-l6okW8qFqTa6tjXRfRej_zvuVdT78uDygYaNSkc1831ulU-wCChp2kB7562fe5S6R-0SIbKQd01Q/s1600/stjohn33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5PX8_QNM1qeC_UypGqZzRVRquF3o91bGMSjEiuNpaf72yTVS0nD8GOQhY-l6okW8qFqTa6tjXRfRej_zvuVdT78uDygYaNSkc1831ulU-wCChp2kB7562fe5S6R-0SIbKQd01Q/s640/stjohn33.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good morning mama</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpudvuoq4a1h1lDx5Y5nje5ML7ALGAWtVCouz5i0RzA46ciwXIJSQOZDA0gwiOQ3cW1S9ZPjt6IdhANj-x1zXcfpnvIIxISYEH9h4HzY0jyo7aFoSuvhKXGxEUhAILtEHw80aJlQ/s1600/stjohn34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpudvuoq4a1h1lDx5Y5nje5ML7ALGAWtVCouz5i0RzA46ciwXIJSQOZDA0gwiOQ3cW1S9ZPjt6IdhANj-x1zXcfpnvIIxISYEH9h4HzY0jyo7aFoSuvhKXGxEUhAILtEHw80aJlQ/s640/stjohn34.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Pensive little soul. Love her mind.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuB2RDFjtrTZWMGuHf3m2bxBRQrezr3sMZkYhyphenhyphenMuZssOeMZspnu7WNCgPthBu84xOr01inYnpLlA2UwGDgXTRxaIsF-HPrlNKDX-dKTpwSksN3malbx7hR5AuvFn2WXZTdb_yCw/s1600/stjohn35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuB2RDFjtrTZWMGuHf3m2bxBRQrezr3sMZkYhyphenhyphenMuZssOeMZspnu7WNCgPthBu84xOr01inYnpLlA2UwGDgXTRxaIsF-HPrlNKDX-dKTpwSksN3malbx7hR5AuvFn2WXZTdb_yCw/s640/stjohn35.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We ran into a friend who showed Isla the "I can remove my thumb trick" She was BLOWN AWAY and literally tried to pull of her thumb several times.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lb8wANC8QN7EHJSsFqB4IosznSVdynDCKcOF9Q1nG7pB_EkNkvRQ0bEf2TSDOwCPI0hn4F-3WFL-5MpAeOhUVdayL896dlx9A2cXhYUcTnMuy8_kCOM_uHti-9NlxP-5cvSbog/s1600/stjohn15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lb8wANC8QN7EHJSsFqB4IosznSVdynDCKcOF9Q1nG7pB_EkNkvRQ0bEf2TSDOwCPI0hn4F-3WFL-5MpAeOhUVdayL896dlx9A2cXhYUcTnMuy8_kCOM_uHti-9NlxP-5cvSbog/s640/stjohn15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playmates is the very best perk of having three kids so close in age. They keep each other entertained!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7O9b_hkcU5B-tFL8dtJos5TuyHseMnV6Cz5ppNQFYaPFTc73jVhWuoZKUkKkn-b5GDre3qI32Totygk7PtK1m4LYpGNlGGXojD8OGLs1tpN4n92v8wmS-qI537ojmIwp52-FCA/s1600/stjohn36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7O9b_hkcU5B-tFL8dtJos5TuyHseMnV6Cz5ppNQFYaPFTc73jVhWuoZKUkKkn-b5GDre3qI32Totygk7PtK1m4LYpGNlGGXojD8OGLs1tpN4n92v8wmS-qI537ojmIwp52-FCA/s640/stjohn36.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's up little pickle?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSG12POiMEXLdaC95fAd1BE6s3MZ8lRRnx1WaHGWST7U4jBiKRhMS107-Xd74I8hyphenhyphen5Yl7QsHoBGvYZx50FUMG4MRW7M2OEku2NjJiJLbQ4lVLNiL7uq9KJMCNrzvzXkdjD5vnJQ/s1600/stjohn32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSG12POiMEXLdaC95fAd1BE6s3MZ8lRRnx1WaHGWST7U4jBiKRhMS107-Xd74I8hyphenhyphen5Yl7QsHoBGvYZx50FUMG4MRW7M2OEku2NjJiJLbQ4lVLNiL7uq9KJMCNrzvzXkdjD5vnJQ/s640/stjohn32.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us and the Preppy Nomad parentals. LOVE. THEM. SO.</td></tr>
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Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-62465833953425828262017-05-11T15:08:00.002-05:002017-06-20T13:38:19.363-05:00Getting off the Dock: A Recharge, a Refresher and a Water Commute to School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTCK99-UNXEKP417JNHw4GbdimBz8SC4WqqaRtPJEgmmO-WfitajFEWLRtlTb621UveX1iRT2LOJBPdYkBkJRdqy6uxizA7qMoxWerGUgb6xm3GLlVaJ-Q8yFHCLQ8i6b00azkQ/s1600/normansail1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTCK99-UNXEKP417JNHw4GbdimBz8SC4WqqaRtPJEgmmO-WfitajFEWLRtlTb621UveX1iRT2LOJBPdYkBkJRdqy6uxizA7qMoxWerGUgb6xm3GLlVaJ-Q8yFHCLQ8i6b00azkQ/s640/normansail1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have had our boat since December and have sailed her only once</span>. Pretty pathetic, right? Thing is, >>><a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2016/01/new-year-new-beginnigs-our-big.html" target="_blank">running a business</a><<<<strike> in the islands</strike> is a >>><a href="https://www.spinsheet.com/caribbean-sailing/working-paradise" target="_blank">heck of a lot of work</a><<< (even though the job comes with lots of perks!) and the months have been slipping past. With Scott managing >>><a href="https://aristocatcharters.com/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">our company</a><<< and me managing our kids and home life, time flies by with zero effort and no lag. It's been go, go, go around here and we've had one heck of a busy high season with lots of fun stuff in the mix - but one thing we haven't been doing? Sailing.<br />
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That had to change...<br />
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"We need to take this boat out" Scott lamented one morning with tired eyes as he sat in front of his computer working on accounting. "I mean, we live on a <i>boat</i> for God's sake..." The ring of his cell phone cut the conversation short and he answered the call. He was right. When transitioning from "cruisers" to "live-aboards" we didn't envision sailing so little. We knew we would no longer be "gypsies" roaming around to our hearts content - at least for the time being - but, <i>still</i>, we *had* expected weekly or at the very <i>least</i>, bi-monthly sails. Our business and our personal life, however, had other plans. "Yes, let's do it!" I agreed after he hung up the phone. We needed to put a big, fat X through this item on our to-do list and we needed to make it a priority. Even the girls had been begging to go sailing lately.<br />
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The problem is, sailing is S L O W and time is often against us. We hardly ever have a couple days in a row that would allow us to enjoy life "on the hook" as it were... When we <i>do</i> get time together as a family it's usually an afternoon or morning here or there at which point we opt to take out our "fast boat" to maximize efficiency and respect the all-mighty nap or bedtime. This weekend, we said to hell with that. "Let me get some work done this morning," Scott continued, "...and we'll sail this afternoon and anchor out somewhere close tonight." I reminded him that the girls had school the next morning and he just shrugged and said we'd sail back first thing in time to get them there. I was sold.<br />
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I've >>><a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2016/01/the-importance-of-getting-off-dock-and.html" target="_blank">written about it before</a><<<, but getting off the dock is like a giant "sigh" to the soul. Don't get me wrong, while lots of sailors hate on marinas (they are hot, expensive, crowded, etc, etc.), I am not one of them. Our marina is <i>SO</i> much more than a marina; it's a community and our neighborhood. It is <i>home </i>and given our current situation as non-cruising ex-pat live-aboards, we would have our living scenario no other way. <i>HOWEVER</i>...there is something amazing about releasing the dock lines and setting sail. It is, after all, why we have chosen to live on a sailboat. No greater archetype of freedom exists I don't think than a sailing vessel pointing it's bow to the open sea... But freedom means nothing if it's not exercised and a dock, by nature, hinders the very spirit of a sailboat.<br />
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We weren't entirely sure where we were going to end up as we raised the main, but given there are a multitude of anchorages a very pleasant two-hour beam reach from our marina, we weren't too concerned. As we slipped quietly past the breakwall, the girls settled into their "comfy spots", snacking on popcorn and watching the waning sun shine on the water as the wind whipped about their bed tousled hair. We finally decided on <a href="http://www.cruisingthevirginislands.com/c/norman-island/benures-bay-soldier-bay" target="_blank">Benures Bay</a> on Norman Island and it quickly dawned on me as we were dousing our mainsail to enter the bay in that this would be our first time ever anchoring >>><a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/02/we-bought-new-boat-but-why-method.html" target="_blank">our new boat .</a> <<< <i>Hmmm....</i><br />
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We slowly motored around anchorage looking for a spot to drop the hook - noting we were a little rusty at the practice - and soon as we found a place we thought was suitable, I started to lower our >>><a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2013/01/solid-as-rocna.html" target="_blank">beast of a Rocna</a><<<. It was at this juncture when I had yet <i>another</i> realization: we had no idea how this chain was marked, if it was marked at all. For those of you non-sailor readers, knowing how much chain you let out upon anchoring (also known as "scope") is pretty vital to the success of staying put. Letting out too much scope could have you banging into your neighbor in the middle of the night, too little could find you >>><a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2011/03/when-anchors-drag.html" target="_blank">dragging into another neighbor,</a><<< or worse, into rocks or shore. Both scenarios are very, very bad.<br />
<br />
<i>But I digress...</i><br />
<br />
As I started lowering the chain I was pleased to notice that it was indeed marked but I had no idea of what increments (20 feet? 30 feet?) after letting out what I <i>thought</i> was 150 feet (but, in hindsight, was probably a lot more) we backed down and determined we were good for the night. Just as we were about to shut off our engine and crack open a chilled bottle of sauvignon blanc a neighbor who had been tentatively and casually watching us from his bow (the universal sailing signal for "<i>I am uncertain with what you are doing here but not going to be a jerk about it</i>") kindly yelled to us that the bay we were in was notorious for flukey winds and he was concerned that we might do a little tango in the night...being utter newbies to this particular anchorage we decided to trust him and up anchor to move over to the completely empty western corner of the bay. Considering our crew and their very early rising hour (and distinct lack of 'inside voices'), this move was probably better for everyone.<br />
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We re-anchored, Scott dove it, and after swimming for what appeared to be a very long time, determined I let out <i>way</i> too much chain. Knowing we were alone where we were and extra chain wouldn't be a problem - we settled in the cockpit with our friends Ray and Sandy who'd we randomly run into in the first bay and had come over for a happy hour cocktail.<br />
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As the sun slipped behind the ridge, our very boisterous and energetic girls took turns blowing Ray's conch shell to signal the setting sun while the adults tried (rather unsuccessfully I might add) to have uninterrupted adult conversation. The sky grew dark and our bellies started to rumble so our friends buzzed off in their dinghy and I got to work preparing a simple dinner of salad and pasta. We ate in the cockpit with nary a soul within ears reach and our beautiful boat gently bobbing in the breeze. The vibe all around was decidedly happy as we chit chatted and ate underneath a sky dotted with stars. Scott and the girls retired to the bow of the boat to check out the waxing moonrise while I went below to clean up after supper.<br />
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***</div>
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A boat at anchor feels, smells and sounds a lot different than one at the dock. For one, we didn't have our air conditioning - and the associated white noise it brings - running. Instead, hatches were all flung wide open and a cool sea breeze wafted through the interior in puffs clearing out all stale air. We also <i>move</i> at anchor (sometimes a lot which is >>><a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2013/07/holy-rollers.html" target="_blank">incredibly unpleasant</a><<<) which is a marked difference from life at the dock. It's ever so subtle and almost womb-like, and every time we anchor the girls go right to bed when the time comes. Then their are the noises a boat 'on the hook' brings; the sound of wind and birds overhead heard through open hatches, the muffled shifting of contents in their cubbies due to the gentle movement of the boat, and wind singing in the rigging ... but the main difference I noticed on this night was the haphazard sound of waves lapping against the side of the hull. This sound, very reminiscent of my youth from family cruising vacations and a very visceral, pleasant memory that gives me the warm fuzzies and literally transports me back in time - on this particular night actually kept me up all night long. Subtle changes like these usually take a day or two of adjusting for me and had we an extra night or two to find a groove I'd have been fine, but as it was - both Scott and I had a very (comfortable and peaceful) sleepless night, if that is possible.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
The girls awoke with the cries of the gulls overhead and we enjoyed another simple meal <i>al fresco</i> in the cockpit, relishing in the serendipity that brought us to a solitary part of the anchorage as we most definitely were the first ones awake and the aforementioned lack of the "inside voice" would probably have rustled a few neighbor's feathers. It was so beautiful to watch the sunrise and be outside, unencumbered by the worry that we would wake neighbors or disturb anyone, a concern that is ever-present at the marina...By 7 a.m. we had weighed anchor and raised our sails and were sailing back to our home marina. The girls had school that morning and we needed to get an early start.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
The getaway was short and sweet, but it was just what we needed: solitude, simplicity and nature. It reminded us why >>><a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2016/03/why-we-chose-to-live-in-british-virgin.html" target="_blank">we are here</a><<< in this beautiful place we call home: A place where you can feel a million miles away from civilization one moment, and commute to school by boat the next.<br />
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And now for some pics of our little staycation...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PsV7JuyFjwE2_mkcDPASuds1UiDtHDa66ySVWXePS_hjlhyHpymdRT-ynTjjiv90tWUB-k0yNdY1xwInXIjoOxZL1BiDmrqarMiw6AO-LPOc5WYJ7Jzl7IKBtBKZpvJNjwa7zw/s1600/normansail2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PsV7JuyFjwE2_mkcDPASuds1UiDtHDa66ySVWXePS_hjlhyHpymdRT-ynTjjiv90tWUB-k0yNdY1xwInXIjoOxZL1BiDmrqarMiw6AO-LPOc5WYJ7Jzl7IKBtBKZpvJNjwa7zw/s640/normansail2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got to bust out my 'good camera' (Canon Rebel) and the new lens Scott got me!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SaD9AWlo9T4VtZAKn2qZUQpMOBP8LTe_pG3p569ngBCueeyGKXjEyh2m3ekP_ZnLdtbLhIbvhY8_AHfcpZGyj-iw9KqaIxOPlBNS15f2n_mxkarZ6EMjQKypdYhLCfvXo8jmQw/s1600/normansail3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SaD9AWlo9T4VtZAKn2qZUQpMOBP8LTe_pG3p569ngBCueeyGKXjEyh2m3ekP_ZnLdtbLhIbvhY8_AHfcpZGyj-iw9KqaIxOPlBNS15f2n_mxkarZ6EMjQKypdYhLCfvXo8jmQw/s640/normansail3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little thinking, Mira. Her name means Ocean in sanskrit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQYh9WfuT5njq0I6Bl_61hr0STTzXNK_UYZ4aBDYICwv6j-8esgvCjLeN6veysGuOhRReuxCBpGNrO9of15sVuXFkoXvjCqScv5OGephvpg7oConSnATy_d-TQffvvlByuYXJqg/s1600/normansail4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQYh9WfuT5njq0I6Bl_61hr0STTzXNK_UYZ4aBDYICwv6j-8esgvCjLeN6veysGuOhRReuxCBpGNrO9of15sVuXFkoXvjCqScv5OGephvpg7oConSnATy_d-TQffvvlByuYXJqg/s640/normansail4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical snapshot of what it looks like when we are underway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbmS443ZSrZNTA57avTh8ENPaewBCuYiy4bU0wPXczqV6CrJNtxnEUPYY5xmIZhzlZ1xr4KxPG1ogvs9e2wD1x2h_mY2StHNO4GUCpGGMwcZvC_msVIrTv1nX6Arft0FDb9vo5g/s1600/normansail5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbmS443ZSrZNTA57avTh8ENPaewBCuYiy4bU0wPXczqV6CrJNtxnEUPYY5xmIZhzlZ1xr4KxPG1ogvs9e2wD1x2h_mY2StHNO4GUCpGGMwcZvC_msVIrTv1nX6Arft0FDb9vo5g/s640/normansail5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls love sailing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeQDX-CRSNT-VYenwqJ6irPqyyJRXS36Kejg3lrfxcv6308WhppXWgupTczR7VwMojU6Y-my7b16r_F_vm7DPsV8JZH5GpTIYI5YWKxj5IXMl9N6sFwwd4QbY9MHoikdgODXKBg/s1600/normansail7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeQDX-CRSNT-VYenwqJ6irPqyyJRXS36Kejg3lrfxcv6308WhppXWgupTczR7VwMojU6Y-my7b16r_F_vm7DPsV8JZH5GpTIYI5YWKxj5IXMl9N6sFwwd4QbY9MHoikdgODXKBg/s640/normansail7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the harbor and spotting our friends aboard s/v Megerin, a pleasant surprise!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78F2UN_F8nABP6iCURJO2vk1jLgCq8WnNZ5nWeweejNNC0RrPtUMq35bDqqE46HKFl23i0cZHMXYePYuOn3QzC9Eyo1qDQKi4bxgvMau3iVQrDbgUCvO-I0MIlZYb1UASVu7Ubw/s1600/normansail8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78F2UN_F8nABP6iCURJO2vk1jLgCq8WnNZ5nWeweejNNC0RrPtUMq35bDqqE46HKFl23i0cZHMXYePYuOn3QzC9Eyo1qDQKi4bxgvMau3iVQrDbgUCvO-I0MIlZYb1UASVu7Ubw/s640/normansail8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mira taking care of her baby after we set the anchor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCPB5OJVFS01Zc_6b0xS1wc6BWd9YamfGSfbRjifqTB8jQWqqnI_4dQ74WjX8RGCyt2_fZO_eAXUnnBU1pWkwc0TVmawAxQ58iM_dtmjaV82DlQj_7tAYmdx4LQYzx0fEMtljOg/s1600/normansail9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCPB5OJVFS01Zc_6b0xS1wc6BWd9YamfGSfbRjifqTB8jQWqqnI_4dQ74WjX8RGCyt2_fZO_eAXUnnBU1pWkwc0TVmawAxQ58iM_dtmjaV82DlQj_7tAYmdx4LQYzx0fEMtljOg/s640/normansail9.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once we anchor, the girls throw off their life jackets and begin playing like monkeys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZd2Zjpaqcf4owcwz0FtXSDrDAH0lEM7xVqR1EUmEEtzaAxbxVExuEl9wGFdHLdvYHbFBOozbJoBQFuRPkrKUeVwL-VAtFWhPI2WWz3XAJBCRcBp0V0G7Q_JCcxfEi7IOCtIIALg/s1600/normansail11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZd2Zjpaqcf4owcwz0FtXSDrDAH0lEM7xVqR1EUmEEtzaAxbxVExuEl9wGFdHLdvYHbFBOozbJoBQFuRPkrKUeVwL-VAtFWhPI2WWz3XAJBCRcBp0V0G7Q_JCcxfEi7IOCtIIALg/s640/normansail11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott dove our anchor to make sure it was set. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOlpUe_ic4GOVFei9j1aPC7Lzn0gAxjc3e6mrHm8Vv65SMt3pLBhTP2BHl6WBUDn4beKG83BEh7NKNFC22TaBrAJLvkhO-BAEIDC4e5GmVaesim6izD8Hr4XCXpBxLjxXD8V_AA/s1600/normansail12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOlpUe_ic4GOVFei9j1aPC7Lzn0gAxjc3e6mrHm8Vv65SMt3pLBhTP2BHl6WBUDn4beKG83BEh7NKNFC22TaBrAJLvkhO-BAEIDC4e5GmVaesim6izD8Hr4XCXpBxLjxXD8V_AA/s640/normansail12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possibly my most favorite picture ever.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQov0piZfNTrWvtO2RN13JStvIUk5355DsCEbFKewjujKupO5wW74aXFk5tTq4G0nkLsSyYnGw40vf27BSbN74XAyu1Ky6jNaW2MjtedAqJGCurFQpbR-Xk1e8I8Vocpa3TYwZ2w/s1600/normansail14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQov0piZfNTrWvtO2RN13JStvIUk5355DsCEbFKewjujKupO5wW74aXFk5tTq4G0nkLsSyYnGw40vf27BSbN74XAyu1Ky6jNaW2MjtedAqJGCurFQpbR-Xk1e8I8Vocpa3TYwZ2w/s640/normansail14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our cove was far from the one we first tried to anchor in, so we had a nice solitary morning.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTfz8ixK549OAivUeO6CRfr1AAZ9QBN80xWh79rhUQdQ2i-BOVtJIJvxXHvpmEwISdA7ahSp0EAj0U8PvGkTApRvl0Y-5SPFfjsjkHVp4xlR03ABR2VEJe-M8jLmyNELX6Rr92A/s1600/normansail15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTfz8ixK549OAivUeO6CRfr1AAZ9QBN80xWh79rhUQdQ2i-BOVtJIJvxXHvpmEwISdA7ahSp0EAj0U8PvGkTApRvl0Y-5SPFfjsjkHVp4xlR03ABR2VEJe-M8jLmyNELX6Rr92A/s640/normansail15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls getting dressed for the day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bd9sXzs0NUawQ3CKZptR1nyrSxBjjlyot2hzIaTOxlIX3uHvq_E827MlPga30n5_gKrgA3UgBgkVQKEjk7IFjUg3bLrMIMPiq6zPUrnhfZEi3uX3nIihb2YxAWQBgPfo530nmA/s1600/normansail17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bd9sXzs0NUawQ3CKZptR1nyrSxBjjlyot2hzIaTOxlIX3uHvq_E827MlPga30n5_gKrgA3UgBgkVQKEjk7IFjUg3bLrMIMPiq6zPUrnhfZEi3uX3nIihb2YxAWQBgPfo530nmA/s640/normansail17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine glass left on deck. A sign of a nice evening, right?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1Eq1k3JG9EcvkWqKxMR-la27HzOHkX5UsyDdGenyUQ-Pu3TlBbBjdhhhS8mVuphmnpRMCEl4RNGbn73YpHkhfV_i_g8ddNzXXZpnZBIX_LyF-zY3-gcwj23y9gVeAreuHKUmfQ/s1600/normansail18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1Eq1k3JG9EcvkWqKxMR-la27HzOHkX5UsyDdGenyUQ-Pu3TlBbBjdhhhS8mVuphmnpRMCEl4RNGbn73YpHkhfV_i_g8ddNzXXZpnZBIX_LyF-zY3-gcwj23y9gVeAreuHKUmfQ/s640/normansail18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sunrise through our salt-sprayed dodger.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJN2QCXx05AyTEXKXJJa9ONEySD1YG8lQoGew-WhsQVpPn4SpZHSCu8XW9-2zvIuvQHrMw_28Ly5dus7EjxmWiQULKMBiNPF6AKUgG3wY-weqytXFeauvIu57CN4sfNQg1ubv9qw/s1600/normansail16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJN2QCXx05AyTEXKXJJa9ONEySD1YG8lQoGew-WhsQVpPn4SpZHSCu8XW9-2zvIuvQHrMw_28Ly5dus7EjxmWiQULKMBiNPF6AKUgG3wY-weqytXFeauvIu57CN4sfNQg1ubv9qw/s640/normansail16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stuck with a simple breakfast on this morning.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8mn-1Oqt8BKG0FshiJTc-QhAPJ1mNrDbWgLIKRvUXc4Jcn-kqQYs2lW_IXHbUPiaCP1osROPHRozsM2eyHfWxQfdXEgWuoIuP2nYn7_i3dtm-bQ6t9B462amAsBO7JykdBRqIA/s1600/normansail19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8mn-1Oqt8BKG0FshiJTc-QhAPJ1mNrDbWgLIKRvUXc4Jcn-kqQYs2lW_IXHbUPiaCP1osROPHRozsM2eyHfWxQfdXEgWuoIuP2nYn7_i3dtm-bQ6t9B462amAsBO7JykdBRqIA/s640/normansail19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This child. Oh, Haven! Her name means "safe harbor" but her personality is more reminiscent of a (totally adorable and lovable!) hurricane!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT69-3Pxn5rmF-v1uadoaLxTksP4rm2OH6KBPJiOXsiLkBFAZdRcqnYgQQPhOg9yr01KgyaPNAWTa3ZbMPMv9BX1-zNugDfV5qTYoJ1DHt-AN3HqyvYa3lWMkjOSv21gOy3puUQQ/s1600/normansail20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT69-3Pxn5rmF-v1uadoaLxTksP4rm2OH6KBPJiOXsiLkBFAZdRcqnYgQQPhOg9yr01KgyaPNAWTa3ZbMPMv9BX1-zNugDfV5qTYoJ1DHt-AN3HqyvYa3lWMkjOSv21gOy3puUQQ/s640/normansail20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Isla, an old soul and a salt life baby from the start.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AKvGDZMM3VWHNi7tsJ7srQg10JHwhWGuXGAiEPZ4ixUWCrvfaEy8krn2-MfiK-Jmc8BSFP0hPgI233xK2ABxgst4T7OyRltrs7PSPh9bGPWxPaMwzfLHaGpf7fVZ8lT1sltVoA/s1600/normansail21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AKvGDZMM3VWHNi7tsJ7srQg10JHwhWGuXGAiEPZ4ixUWCrvfaEy8krn2-MfiK-Jmc8BSFP0hPgI233xK2ABxgst4T7OyRltrs7PSPh9bGPWxPaMwzfLHaGpf7fVZ8lT1sltVoA/s640/normansail21.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playtime before we set sail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little post-breakfast pow-wow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sailing home. An amazing night!</td></tr>
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Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-12491953024116729632017-04-20T09:42:00.003-05:002017-06-20T13:39:06.395-05:00Introducing The Coconuts: A Crazy (Awesome) Family Afloat and Sailing for a Cause<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1Fhdd4TKlAK92Yk4-Xyx4BwWde9oXUFwsfgenL8fMtGssOJDJtKakTdvY-sVq5TEljtOcbPYqASs0fEHAJFY676Ok_rtrjeVfGJQ-iTynrumAOfgLQp1MVtNO5-ExFRjP04WlQ/s1600/CocoSailing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1Fhdd4TKlAK92Yk4-Xyx4BwWde9oXUFwsfgenL8fMtGssOJDJtKakTdvY-sVq5TEljtOcbPYqASs0fEHAJFY676Ok_rtrjeVfGJQ-iTynrumAOfgLQp1MVtNO5-ExFRjP04WlQ/s640/CocoSailing.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>WHEW!</i> Hello from my terribly neglected blog!</span> (I'm very active on <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/windtraveler/" target="_blank">Instagram </a></b>and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sailwindtraveler/" target="_blank"><b>Facebook</b></a> though, much easier and less time consuming!) I have all the usual excuses of why I haven't written so I won't bore you with those, but I <i>do</i> have a very cool family (who is doing some very awesome stuff) to introduce you too...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The blog world, particularly the <i>sailing/cruising/liveaboard</i> blog world, is very small so when Natasha reached out to me asking if I would like to share her family's story, I jumped at the chance because I had actually been <b><a href="http://coconuts.is/" target="_blank">following them for a while</a></b> (and totally in awe of their incredible adventures and overall adorableness!) so spreading the word about <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/racingforfreedom" target="_blank"><b>their new campaign</b></a> was exciting for me. And, lets be honest, we aren't exactly 'adventuring' these days (but watch this space! Twins are THREE now!) and while I <i>love</i> our island expat live-aboard life and the daily 'adventures' that brings, sometimes we all want to read about the crazy kind of stuff <i>this</i> family is doing (and has done - like give birth to two babies...aboard their boat!)</span><br />
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Please read our interview below and get acquainted with <b><a href="http://coconuts.is/" target="_blank">The Coconuts</a></b> and if you like what you read, consider contributing to <b><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/racingforfreedom" target="_blank">their campaign</a></b> (video below) and follow along with their various social media outlets: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/coconuts.is" target="_blank"><b>Facebook</b></a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/coconuts.is/" target="_blank"><b>Instagram</b></a>, and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/coconutssail" target="_blank"><b>Twitter</b></a>.<br />
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<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Your family is so unique with almost every member being born somewhere else, give us a little background on each of you:</b></span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;">We are The Coconuts, a family of 6 who for a decade have lived a nomadic life aboard our eco-sailboat (engineless). Jay, the Captain, was born in California, and sailing became his life passion at a very young age...when most teenagers buy cars Jay was buying sailboats that he would fix up and later sell, his 3rd boat was finally an offshore vessel on which he left sailing south bound. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_513336267" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">4 years later</span></span> he found himself in Costa Rica where he met his wife (me), Natasha. I was born and raised in Costa Rica, and am</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"> a photographer and filmmaker who after getting my bachelors and masters degrees in the US came back to my native country to open a production company. My first daughter Sol was born in NYC...I decided to become a single mother by choice, and I moved back to Costa Rica when Sol was a year old and I was pregnant with Luna who was born there. I met Jay when the girls where very small (around 1 and 2 years old). Jay adopted Sol and Luna and has raised them as his own, together we had Caribe, born onboard in Martinique in the warm Caribbean sea and Ártico born in Iceland in a little house surrounded by snow near the Arctic circle.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf07Y02y8nSrtjlnk8_ddqs2_LopXXtMPtvqy7ck5ElN_T9pGVKNm7fjz67rqEHNH0U9TwJEcPoHbGW-EC6SmrX7xefUvGlEqX_1tno1WyvsZxuLtXrpO5jK0vAr3O-f16Ekzzlg/s1600/20150802-DSC09189.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf07Y02y8nSrtjlnk8_ddqs2_LopXXtMPtvqy7ck5ElN_T9pGVKNm7fjz67rqEHNH0U9TwJEcPoHbGW-EC6SmrX7xefUvGlEqX_1tno1WyvsZxuLtXrpO5jK0vAr3O-f16Ekzzlg/s640/20150802-DSC09189.jpeg" width="640" /></a></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Tell us a little bit about your history as cruisers (where have you been, etc) and what drove you to pursue your current project? </b></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;">Shortly</span> after meeting and falling in love, Sol, Luna and I jumped onboard Jay’s boat in the Pacific of Costa Rica and became permanent stow-aways. We sailed the boat back up to California to refit it and then back down to Costa Rica were we sold it when we had the opportunity to rescue a boat that had been abandoned in Florida, this was Messenger, an ex-racer from the 80’s which we fixed up while we lived in it and sailed down south from Florida. From there we went to Bahamas, Cuba, Costa Rica wh</span>ere they had a beach wedding, then Panama where we conceived, Colombia, Curaçao, Bonaire, Guadeloupe, Saint Lucia and Martinique where we had our boat birth for which Jay attended the birth, again by choice. Then when Caribe was a month and a half we continued on north to Dominique, Antigua, Barbuda, Bermuda, New York and Newport, RI where we stopped to refit Messenger completely. During this haul-out we flew to California to visit Jay’s family and ended up buying an old VW. We refitted that in Jay’s parents garage in a week and set off land sailing across the entire US back to RI where we sold the VW for a huge profit. After the refit of Messenger we set sail again with Natasha pregnant and went to Lunenberg - Nova Scotia, Saint Pierre et Michelon, Saint John’s - Newfoundland, Saint Anthony’s - Labrador and off to Iceland where again we stopped for a birth, though we lived aboard all winter in the harbor of Reykjavik it was too dark, cramped and cold to give birth on the boat, so some friends of ours invited us to stay in their great-grandmothers empty house in the West-fjords of Iceland where we had our baby, Artico, in a 200 year old house. Ártico was the 26th baby to be born in this house, again attended by Jay, again by choice. When Ártico was 4 months old we set sail circumnavigating Iceland through the north to the east and jumping off to the Faroe Islands, Shetland Islands, Norway, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and finally France where we are now.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPCemP1FsMLBUwEXpn2bURFJFjvPwEphUUnYi2LNY2U7zxBmoZ9sfzyelM3V0F2ZSuP9RkrbpvJAa3mhskRslKNQEMnR38MdaiK3mq0ys-AxYe-9BaDxnU1N7mTCbqGGrng0phQ/s1600/ECP_0042+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPCemP1FsMLBUwEXpn2bURFJFjvPwEphUUnYi2LNY2U7zxBmoZ9sfzyelM3V0F2ZSuP9RkrbpvJAa3mhskRslKNQEMnR38MdaiK3mq0ys-AxYe-9BaDxnU1N7mTCbqGGrng0phQ/s640/ECP_0042+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>What do you love most about the cruising/living on a boat lifestyle?</b></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;"> EVERYTHING! Not only do we all love the sea, sailing and traveling to new places but we are true minimalist, so a life at sea, on a boat with little belongings fits us very well. We love meeting new people, experiencing different cultures, traditions and foods. Actually we have never really identified or called ourselves cruisers which relates to pleasure and leisure, I think this is the reason why we needed to get out of the Caribbean and explore places where there weren’t any cruisers. </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;">We really immerse ourselves in the places where we go and make strong friendships with the locals. Therefore we love that our home is mobile and we can take it with us anywhere, so we are never really tourist either because we have our home with us.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9U6aM608JuZ39qkTyrGO3_Re1pfw0I_n_6kvuBHDpCtemNvBEhC03FfNqE8XxHv2H9Y3AemqsduesDwGEEmDBOdvwTrh3k1sK89YIhL-k4IhU_uXJuOcLuvFeBJ3_d-v2hTotzA/s1600/JayCaribe.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9U6aM608JuZ39qkTyrGO3_Re1pfw0I_n_6kvuBHDpCtemNvBEhC03FfNqE8XxHv2H9Y3AemqsduesDwGEEmDBOdvwTrh3k1sK89YIhL-k4IhU_uXJuOcLuvFeBJ3_d-v2hTotzA/s640/JayCaribe.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>What do you find is the greatest challenge living on a boat/living nomadic with children in tow? </b></span></span>There are as many challenges as enjoyments, life at sea with this many children and living on a tight budget as we always have is not for everyone and definitely not for the faint of heart. Finding work, finding money, living in tight quarters, having to carry our food and dirty laundry around, it’s all a challenge. We really are modern nomads, just like going out to hunt and gather we have to go out and hunt a grocery store and then carry on our backs our food into a dinghy and row it to our boat. Actually during our travels we forage a lot: fruits, mushrooms, snails, mussels, coconuts and of course fish a lot… we are gathers and hunters still in many ways.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXMWco3HYjpsCQcdp32pc9TKX51xS9dZssX5q3jbwjGBwdZzDQ94_xECqi2Kv_EsEhnjQFEInk-OErOh3kYFGxXavZqACOf80qdN89xFO71brXNRG-QiL19H7vcVM-eqiXFQhgw/s1600/Carrizalilla.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXMWco3HYjpsCQcdp32pc9TKX51xS9dZssX5q3jbwjGBwdZzDQ94_xECqi2Kv_EsEhnjQFEInk-OErOh3kYFGxXavZqACOf80qdN89xFO71brXNRG-QiL19H7vcVM-eqiXFQhgw/s640/Carrizalilla.jpeg" width="590" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">Tell us a little bit about your current plans and project?</span> </b></span>C<span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;">urrently we are tackling the world of professional sailboat racing, a world that is dominated by corporate sponsors, and as always, we want to do things differently, this is why we have launched a crowdfunding campaign with a purpose: <b><span style="font-size: large;">to race for freedom.</span></b> Jay has been dreaming about this since a young age and that is why we came to France, the mecca of offshore sailboat racing. We are building a race boat to compete in races throughout Europe, UK, the Caribbean and the USA. Some races are double-handed for which both of us will participate in, even the kids can do some as well, while the trans-Atlantic ones are single-handed. To see more about our plans, please see this video: </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: inherit;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.gofundme.com/racingforfreedom&source=gmail&ust=1492011999944000&usg=AFQjCNHnNXXuAhKe8Rorw1uGyzVLpru2Cw" href="https://www.gofundme.com/racingforfreedom" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.gofundme.com/<wbr></wbr>racingforfreedom</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.gofundme.com/racingforfreedom&source=gmail&ust=1492011999944000&usg=AFQjCNHnNXXuAhKe8Rorw1uGyzVLpru2Cw" href="https://www.gofundme.com/racingforfreedom" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwieBvB89ER6A1XX0h3q1fFfy-Yu0bf8ON2Ny956mb3bB1X5B4msxyLQA6K0U7bXmXX8M2scfCJaU-MaMuluZuHg-RkWEBtw8-GK17hnotoGKYREWNx8phEXch1c4eACna1B_MAA/s1600/NYC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwieBvB89ER6A1XX0h3q1fFfy-Yu0bf8ON2Ny956mb3bB1X5B4msxyLQA6K0U7bXmXX8M2scfCJaU-MaMuluZuHg-RkWEBtw8-GK17hnotoGKYREWNx8phEXch1c4eACna1B_MAA/s640/NYC.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">Was there ever a time when you wanted to throw in the towel and head back to a more conventional life?</span> </b></span>NEVER, we dislike convention, we don<span style="color: #454545; font-family: inherit;">’t see ourselves ever living in a house, life on a boat is so much more simple, frugal and ecological.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXvdThB1r8gy8AFP7eSnIHbEo-itDVVHliuWgrxlJpogTSs28FGysW6Nx9U0aNHJxJ-mZvbkB51C99mkhW4ednxABCqNaPQRCgUG8wCMfUi05Dm7bq4s0WJ7y5pn5yETwMNyteg/s1600/FlyingSquirrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXvdThB1r8gy8AFP7eSnIHbEo-itDVVHliuWgrxlJpogTSs28FGysW6Nx9U0aNHJxJ-mZvbkB51C99mkhW4ednxABCqNaPQRCgUG8wCMfUi05Dm7bq4s0WJ7y5pn5yETwMNyteg/s640/FlyingSquirrel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In an ideal world, what does the future look like for the Coconuts crew?</span></b></span> In an ideal world, we see The Coconuts living in a big boat where everyone has their own space, spending winters exploring the north and summers in the south racing smaller boats, always in our mobile floating home changing the view.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Thanks Natasha, for reaching out and for this great interview! I hope to meet you and your beautiful family one day!</span></div>
Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-35114467715416389302017-03-20T09:16:00.000-05:002017-03-20T09:16:13.152-05:00Asante is FOR SALE: Blue Water Brewer 44 READY TO GO in Tortola, BVI!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggt05RJ5t4v_RvDMygLlCT-_k5_yp52-sXtbylk5tZqkwhiyRR0wCAFbSizAUZSIFPnM3FNB3EiVQb5KZOuY3g22_JTt7H3gNCAls4OMx6Dn5qdTmvOhkBYIJ6PfiZy1vRfXvbqA/s1600/Asante1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggt05RJ5t4v_RvDMygLlCT-_k5_yp52-sXtbylk5tZqkwhiyRR0wCAFbSizAUZSIFPnM3FNB3EiVQb5KZOuY3g22_JTt7H3gNCAls4OMx6Dn5qdTmvOhkBYIJ6PfiZy1vRfXvbqA/s640/Asante1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As most of you know, we <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/02/we-bought-new-boat-but-why-method.html" target="_blank">bought a new boat</a>.</span> It is awesome and it has been a very welcome change for our family. <i>But</i>...we still have our old boat. It's been a stressful (and fun) few months with work and the general chaos of life with three small children, but we have finally gotten around to giving our old boat some TLC with a deep interior cleaning and hull polish, and thus have <i>finally</i> created our listing. Please see the downloadable/printable <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4QRoNq88Xe8OGlzX2pURzhJNEk/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><b>FULL SPEC SHEET PDF</b></a> of our amazing Brewer 44, and *PLEASE* share! We don't want to own two cruising boats much longer!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>She is ready to go in beautiful Tortola, BVI at the Nanny Cay Marina!</b></span></div>
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In a nutshell:</div>
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ASANTE is a well-appointed and proven blue-water capable Brewer 44 Center Cockpit currently Tortola in the British Virgin Islands - the perfect starting ground for live-aboard cruising! She has been listed among the <i><b><a href="http://www.jordanyachts.com/archives/3070" target="_blank">10 Best Center Cockpit Cruising Boats</a></b></i> by Jordan Yachts and boast many, many features ideal for live-aboard cruising such as: two cabins, two heads, a cutter rig, center cockpit, swim scoop, lots of deck space, and the ability to control all sails from the cockpit...She has a gorgeous interior with a nice, spacious layout, a u-shaped galley, an aft suite with a king size bed, an awesome aft deck shower and <i>TONS</i> of storage. In other words, the bones of a great family cruising boat. To learn more about why we chose her, read <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2012/07/our-new-boat-brewer-44.html">this post</a>.<br />
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She has a navy blue hull, Raymarine electronics, full center cockpit enclosure, bow thruster, in-mast main furler, air conditioning and low hours on the main engine. In 2012 she benefitted from a soft refit and was converted to a cutter rig boat, which makes sailing her a dream, particularly in high winds. Her cockpit is huge and offers a great place to socialize, nap and sail underway. ASANTE has many upgrades including new SSB with Pactor 3 modem (2012), Rogue wave wifi booster (2012), custom 3” & 4” stainless dinghy davits (2012), 280 feet of galvanized chain (2012), and a high output 30 GPH Cruise RO watermaker (2013). She was upgraded with full-time live-aboard cruising in mind and therefore has all the comforts of home, with the full functionality of a well appointed cruising vessel. To see a list of all the work we did to her when we bought her, please see our <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2012/11/mini-fit.html" target="_blank">post about the mini-fit which outlines all the work we put into her</a>.<br />
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We have been live-aboards for the past four years and are only selling because we needed a bigger boat to accommodate our family of five. She has been lovingly and very well maintained by and is ready to go sailing today. She comes VERY WELL EQUIPPED and we'd love to see her sail off to another horizon.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">We are listing her "priced to sell" at $129K.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Interested parties please email windtraveler09 (at) gmail.com</span></b></div>
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That's her in a nutshell, now for some pics:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlOx67wv8Ku9CsRgw2xM0OTKnTZoEPJyuxpT1FHzCWXZ8QcsPxnu3OUEnL0P9gC_-KkdAqoZjZXD9dfygzDdr22YFdzfx6SC7_XmTqxQ4uxGYcGQ279-LO0Ok3mKPBMpAoIQZBA/s1600/Asante2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlOx67wv8Ku9CsRgw2xM0OTKnTZoEPJyuxpT1FHzCWXZ8QcsPxnu3OUEnL0P9gC_-KkdAqoZjZXD9dfygzDdr22YFdzfx6SC7_XmTqxQ4uxGYcGQ279-LO0Ok3mKPBMpAoIQZBA/s640/Asante2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main saloon. TONS of storage abound.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hvh0BK9KVM0LH2lH4EaDjOpnRAlLjbN3rIPhmytZ72TVmzKjxzu0aLRlfch2_YLENZt97qapwqtQYVwz5ETQ5uqW36fr1nUBtvDEHzZ649K7JPUdwenoTUfdE_B66iyXPwDvsw/s1600/Asante3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hvh0BK9KVM0LH2lH4EaDjOpnRAlLjbN3rIPhmytZ72TVmzKjxzu0aLRlfch2_YLENZt97qapwqtQYVwz5ETQ5uqW36fr1nUBtvDEHzZ649K7JPUdwenoTUfdE_B66iyXPwDvsw/s640/Asante3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The galley, again, TONS of storage. Also boasts a front and top loading refrigerator, and an ample top loading freezer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhuuCPcwOju3fOgeGsteKraVH334TFRp51SwN1_EJgYK_QNNvuxLsPW51OdSA3t4ZJyVITPzLD853PqUSWRZwSLBwfFb0R7dtihhiY6WpB9R0lF9xxHFfp22GTfuzwrzFuxEAbw/s1600/Asante4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhuuCPcwOju3fOgeGsteKraVH334TFRp51SwN1_EJgYK_QNNvuxLsPW51OdSA3t4ZJyVITPzLD853PqUSWRZwSLBwfFb0R7dtihhiY6WpB9R0lF9xxHFfp22GTfuzwrzFuxEAbw/s640/Asante4.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nav station with new electronics and new control panel.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuERyLjmhxBiTL-reFFjnTcUXZbSOOq4Tj_S1VkWY0U84PcBEuS_BFHyoJjubLuh5uCQzVaNNL18YKbWW8LmLcsbunfHXQABJA2vK1UfUqInQSpNeEEJ33gycHKFVXGzZvMSOMA/s1600/Asante5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuERyLjmhxBiTL-reFFjnTcUXZbSOOq4Tj_S1VkWY0U84PcBEuS_BFHyoJjubLuh5uCQzVaNNL18YKbWW8LmLcsbunfHXQABJA2vK1UfUqInQSpNeEEJ33gycHKFVXGzZvMSOMA/s640/Asante5.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forward head with two access doors so v-berth is en-suite.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1i4Lip2Zu5-uMxpls57rbqL9j4-CLmilISFVck-3gwUqVMUbsgaIfUrwes6MaBW6ToBB87D0R1-qskT4Z1R4qWNRvM7qypSr2STH-Ve485BPdW_h2E1waa9UbLJhrOSspE4D8Q/s1600/Asante6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1i4Lip2Zu5-uMxpls57rbqL9j4-CLmilISFVck-3gwUqVMUbsgaIfUrwes6MaBW6ToBB87D0R1-qskT4Z1R4qWNRvM7qypSr2STH-Ve485BPdW_h2E1waa9UbLJhrOSspE4D8Q/s640/Asante6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The v-berth, again, TONS of storage. There is a large hanging locker to port not pictured.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm09Zizs7J2Cfd30bJVb2QD5hJxxxkhAaRozIo_FxJnLP0R7xOim9OlZzWib0ZreBXhUgYT3J_0psGf1YA7RvFgyxs9M8SgK8Q1z7Evg0Eo38zfmJxvCmCPdfgjovwBEhtVvRo6w/s1600/Asante7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm09Zizs7J2Cfd30bJVb2QD5hJxxxkhAaRozIo_FxJnLP0R7xOim9OlZzWib0ZreBXhUgYT3J_0psGf1YA7RvFgyxs9M8SgK8Q1z7Evg0Eo38zfmJxvCmCPdfgjovwBEhtVvRo6w/s640/Asante7.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking aft from the v-berth</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTVHlx7NqpNagxImxIwBMbWfR-QuxG6F2Y-fpLM3umMjq9ZoiGCHKcY45Oafe5pC7a1hefPC2toqDS8nNdkPK2336_9OAn5_hRCxX3BhiNV9cyUdQSkQxnM3uhaYPblObRO8_eg/s1600/Asante8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTVHlx7NqpNagxImxIwBMbWfR-QuxG6F2Y-fpLM3umMjq9ZoiGCHKcY45Oafe5pC7a1hefPC2toqDS8nNdkPK2336_9OAn5_hRCxX3BhiNV9cyUdQSkQxnM3uhaYPblObRO8_eg/s640/Asante8.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walk-thru to the aft cabin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRutconoCb9TQOZdEBexJw12abSIr1_Jrel3SrTDqWkrI8Mv8KnnAzH34Gn9x9ZCCP4l2oWwanBvtBjFw1vG9QmZo9T6ydSyPWKWOiR0LvlS_mbVrUl5IaSmEhzDBFWwV2xf9SPQ/s1600/Asante9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRutconoCb9TQOZdEBexJw12abSIr1_Jrel3SrTDqWkrI8Mv8KnnAzH34Gn9x9ZCCP4l2oWwanBvtBjFw1vG9QmZo9T6ydSyPWKWOiR0LvlS_mbVrUl5IaSmEhzDBFWwV2xf9SPQ/s640/Asante9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The control panel, easy access - it pulls down so working on wiring is easy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmbhPG6qdzqhQ5HLf7Jd3-XegcAVJfvAzm7O_KPZLzHh54V6KIAwT1rDvRFhz8Tu2dD4wL_1OzXt2fkWWTt-jiG5PHbpRv9ZGfyiNnpj_j0YTxn2sRiSxw1pD0pN-SLqcDG6Nzg/s1600/Asante10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmbhPG6qdzqhQ5HLf7Jd3-XegcAVJfvAzm7O_KPZLzHh54V6KIAwT1rDvRFhz8Tu2dD4wL_1OzXt2fkWWTt-jiG5PHbpRv9ZGfyiNnpj_j0YTxn2sRiSxw1pD0pN-SLqcDG6Nzg/s640/Asante10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engine room access that most boaters DREAM of. Nothing was out of reach. Such a bonus.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaTm-iMxAzIeHR-FxGeuiRlK9umWnBWpIo-O9SIEmeY2dXxNYZKlRPiCHaifm1tSZWioLx17Q7ZDRqfv2u3ZpNM8dbcpT44kI8DQn1zmGKHcYmyVBukN9kbP5rW_6Zhh3P9FMWQ/s1600/Asante11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaTm-iMxAzIeHR-FxGeuiRlK9umWnBWpIo-O9SIEmeY2dXxNYZKlRPiCHaifm1tSZWioLx17Q7ZDRqfv2u3ZpNM8dbcpT44kI8DQn1zmGKHcYmyVBukN9kbP5rW_6Zhh3P9FMWQ/s640/Asante11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aft cabin with king-size bed and plenty of storage. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAujDihUrpReRSoSL1WPyK-zcGByXh2sBF-zS_tDQ9xBHUN-k4gL7PMJDeh7D3IJkcIK8YUOW5L0adJKV77x0GYJvArBD3XkrPXvMkVdRPR1d6nz8PREbWQ3YMItd4WBcSPPAmA/s1600/Asante12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAujDihUrpReRSoSL1WPyK-zcGByXh2sBF-zS_tDQ9xBHUN-k4gL7PMJDeh7D3IJkcIK8YUOW5L0adJKV77x0GYJvArBD3XkrPXvMkVdRPR1d6nz8PREbWQ3YMItd4WBcSPPAmA/s640/Asante12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward from aft cabin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEXDez4cAOqX3KbT-s3iu3Pp0Ns_Ct0NYZ_MXnoByBZ0si1z2dyeXcrT7M8aTmmG2KiyBckRKUvfmI7Po-vYOBJlOQqym2ZxHJKQXpHWEzDOJTzHx8EftiW479lYRKjRuL2stbw/s1600/Asante13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEXDez4cAOqX3KbT-s3iu3Pp0Ns_Ct0NYZ_MXnoByBZ0si1z2dyeXcrT7M8aTmmG2KiyBckRKUvfmI7Po-vYOBJlOQqym2ZxHJKQXpHWEzDOJTzHx8EftiW479lYRKjRuL2stbw/s640/Asante13.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aft head with new corian countertops (2016)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZ9VKTVZTCVglnlgq5myNInA3mE1bx8Np9oApIMG1iXnb_HpuKZORd2ftou512tnPYLmXo3_FKAuCgz0nIkc0f1zwL-e7LDpMx5umno1Mz2zJFbxp2u9UGBX2HK6QHf7ki7JvaQ/s1600/Asante14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZ9VKTVZTCVglnlgq5myNInA3mE1bx8Np9oApIMG1iXnb_HpuKZORd2ftou512tnPYLmXo3_FKAuCgz0nIkc0f1zwL-e7LDpMx5umno1Mz2zJFbxp2u9UGBX2HK6QHf7ki7JvaQ/s640/Asante14.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward from walk-thru</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9z9rrbQzdf2cSP3hSp3cVDjJbYzxkV5ee4uuuto-7fvXMacR7BsIoWBtAp6DnLhTusMjuS7T_Bav1dfp2_An7KPfDMPV6VLPs2Q-VQCUis9TpNlVN6v9euVCdIWI7FJUIvYKmA/s1600/Asante15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9z9rrbQzdf2cSP3hSp3cVDjJbYzxkV5ee4uuuto-7fvXMacR7BsIoWBtAp6DnLhTusMjuS7T_Bav1dfp2_An7KPfDMPV6VLPs2Q-VQCUis9TpNlVN6v9euVCdIWI7FJUIvYKmA/s640/Asante15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bright and airy main living area. Love all the light!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypQ_6e5LBQtK8pkS1hGxsl-uCGUM7WfMkxYTniwiVjRYuK7-vN7-7cvra9sRu7j-5cSP94wJ4uL0pMvPrOoe5UlybWGPGlEwCKeiebcNC0Zfn740WZYqC_plEpPKCPioJlxDgmw/s1600/Asante16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypQ_6e5LBQtK8pkS1hGxsl-uCGUM7WfMkxYTniwiVjRYuK7-vN7-7cvra9sRu7j-5cSP94wJ4uL0pMvPrOoe5UlybWGPGlEwCKeiebcNC0Zfn740WZYqC_plEpPKCPioJlxDgmw/s640/Asante16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of opening ports and hatches makes this boat super comfortable at anchor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8BTiP96eyFOsrqLm-LEnk8tnX_q0XG-K7Wt5KNHURccQqwCFM97E5IiytETekLCkIYlsNVSTZW4nnOoRX_uhlAnXfbjz143Vj-9fR3LqCoj3JVax_qwfeykaMPv7YzRNkHgMpA/s1600/Asante17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8BTiP96eyFOsrqLm-LEnk8tnX_q0XG-K7Wt5KNHURccQqwCFM97E5IiytETekLCkIYlsNVSTZW4nnOoRX_uhlAnXfbjz143Vj-9fR3LqCoj3JVax_qwfeykaMPv7YzRNkHgMpA/s640/Asante17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roller furling boom makes Asante easy to singlehand.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhZLWLkRrig0EWXcWG85iVMOyth28vz0NkbS-ORqYCxKINPquFUVkyO0dhobYksflCl8FMBJ46PaY9QB9HUdENaGA3XibfZpixBpyG6YHyJqg6r2_I4Yn5CjjethWWmoXOtbzDw/s1600/Asante19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhZLWLkRrig0EWXcWG85iVMOyth28vz0NkbS-ORqYCxKINPquFUVkyO0dhobYksflCl8FMBJ46PaY9QB9HUdENaGA3XibfZpixBpyG6YHyJqg6r2_I4Yn5CjjethWWmoXOtbzDw/s640/Asante19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She turns heads!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmtHGrgLbrfY-eEhJ0VOsUIxhCNRfZCBPQykbSGIDhZQ2IwEvTVcaBdrIPM6B1UH9DyqPu9OGC1C7P45J0tcB4_c8wj3-zAHVp4Te7MqZSpjDN4dClCCSywhyfbHEOPagzFkApQ/s1600/Asante20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmtHGrgLbrfY-eEhJ0VOsUIxhCNRfZCBPQykbSGIDhZQ2IwEvTVcaBdrIPM6B1UH9DyqPu9OGC1C7P45J0tcB4_c8wj3-zAHVp4Te7MqZSpjDN4dClCCSywhyfbHEOPagzFkApQ/s640/Asante20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss this cockpit - so much space to play, hang out and entertain!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilm45CohZBl_sPEqU_3rgS_u5LEGrejevi1uWkoGBn0BAnUVNV0mXe5PHY-bpVkBxn1oGtDz1cjUE7imE424Ph0SVDmJuaUG-7JJfOYFGNgO-aN2EplhddAbOnHKjk7KWq0RqfOA/s1600/Asante21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilm45CohZBl_sPEqU_3rgS_u5LEGrejevi1uWkoGBn0BAnUVNV0mXe5PHY-bpVkBxn1oGtDz1cjUE7imE424Ph0SVDmJuaUG-7JJfOYFGNgO-aN2EplhddAbOnHKjk7KWq0RqfOA/s640/Asante21.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aft cockpit is roomy making for loading and off loading the dinghy a breeze.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYHtZ8D2pcKf7yxRTTc5tbNY18WOHlCvqb_tO9QLwVYyNwBpMtOOfplnOOeYIjp24eRjjDkHLMF-p2g81DzgwduBTGwIj8AF-KO28kFbGHIiBwCe2kcltuOg8woI-XyumEcNTzg/s1600/Asante22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYHtZ8D2pcKf7yxRTTc5tbNY18WOHlCvqb_tO9QLwVYyNwBpMtOOfplnOOeYIjp24eRjjDkHLMF-p2g81DzgwduBTGwIj8AF-KO28kFbGHIiBwCe2kcltuOg8woI-XyumEcNTzg/s640/Asante22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foredeck</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9genpFL05sPQnfTH68KiC4Sm9Pkhl5Qz8rXLT6hhiBZEEEr47Vb4jkYwK3ypEBzmkWpKgOdF4yjgfMn68c7E9Km1sJYFrYL4oYrOSbI8q1nRe_ecD9aBxDt8rz6ZnCkm4AR7w1A/s1600/Asante23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9genpFL05sPQnfTH68KiC4Sm9Pkhl5Qz8rXLT6hhiBZEEEr47Vb4jkYwK3ypEBzmkWpKgOdF4yjgfMn68c7E9Km1sJYFrYL4oYrOSbI8q1nRe_ecD9aBxDt8rz6ZnCkm4AR7w1A/s640/Asante23.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trusty windlass with foot switches (and a helm control) and 280 feet of chain. Great set up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PqnxPZhtn4MsN_IyEE9b4IO8teqcMFh1un0psf3ovU2hV5wtBI-V8F3afSZz-Yj32B9O9ESPIzB-T4P2-_7jg1kKI9462TR9-qaJ8fNyr2CE3c8EqWXJmqPdfhTzbYhjSoILAw/s1600/Asante24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PqnxPZhtn4MsN_IyEE9b4IO8teqcMFh1un0psf3ovU2hV5wtBI-V8F3afSZz-Yj32B9O9ESPIzB-T4P2-_7jg1kKI9462TR9-qaJ8fNyr2CE3c8EqWXJmqPdfhTzbYhjSoILAw/s640/Asante24.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We LOVE the cutter rig. We'd be hard-pressed to buy a boat without one. So many sail options and easy to change sails in shifting conditions.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-quo8Hj8huG2ZKmL0KTupgB16L9u6vOh6XGIypCtXnVh40O7u5DpXtXCsp1-U3yF24klXgQo2egZdoeEvVFEiRFTNjWirbEtCcGxeGgFgP_GNd-37Kgd_r1b0VpBxw20iq_Scw/s1600/Asante18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-quo8Hj8huG2ZKmL0KTupgB16L9u6vOh6XGIypCtXnVh40O7u5DpXtXCsp1-U3yF24klXgQo2egZdoeEvVFEiRFTNjWirbEtCcGxeGgFgP_GNd-37Kgd_r1b0VpBxw20iq_Scw/s640/Asante18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The davits!! They are custom and amazing. Super ridgid and strong, and make hauling the dinghy up and down a breeze.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Bdk_DDc6Oenh7XgqErRPOp97vvc2SAR8p8OfYNbaYP-HuJWkk75jlw3Zlt2aLInoEBVZnDNsFOtiiEtrsswfl-Mwx95Q1tPD8J5Qp1rX9cF5jTLZmvuPKE7TNiAGg6e6RUriXg/s1600/brewer44layout.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Bdk_DDc6Oenh7XgqErRPOp97vvc2SAR8p8OfYNbaYP-HuJWkk75jlw3Zlt2aLInoEBVZnDNsFOtiiEtrsswfl-Mwx95Q1tPD8J5Qp1rX9cF5jTLZmvuPKE7TNiAGg6e6RUriXg/s640/brewer44layout.jpeg" width="482" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The layout of Asante.</td></tr>
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If you are looking to toss off the dock lines and go cruising in the Caribbean - this could be your vessel!! She is a great boat and has made our family very happy and safe the past four years. Please feel free to share this post and any interested parties should email <b>windtraveler 09 (at) gmail.com</b>. Thank you!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Our last boat sold in less than 50 days after we listed her on our blog, please help us break that record and get another great family out on the water! SHARE!</span></b></div>
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Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-40381113334140962842017-02-27T12:26:00.000-06:002017-06-20T13:39:28.064-05:00A Special Day in Trellis Bay: An Artist Community and A Magic Morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9dAZFCFQb2zSvS3wohwTImWX6OOROBqq-WrCVxTGtmn0d7Tfv4xscjKtxZ6MZKnV0C2Bnm1yEzLThPtrc6OfklFgvQdp4oXolyI3Rkh0-cra5RXItuxFRTaC91Y-wyQNkkjW8Q/s1600/trelliscover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9dAZFCFQb2zSvS3wohwTImWX6OOROBqq-WrCVxTGtmn0d7Tfv4xscjKtxZ6MZKnV0C2Bnm1yEzLThPtrc6OfklFgvQdp4oXolyI3Rkh0-cra5RXItuxFRTaC91Y-wyQNkkjW8Q/s640/trelliscover.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We don't get to East End, home of the eccentric and eclectic Trellis Bay, often. </span>For one thing, it's quite a drive - which I realize is laughable on an island that measures twelve miles by three - but as the car drives, it's a solid 30-40 minutes one way. With three little kids, and a mid-day nap that I will only forego for <i>extremely special</i> occasions - it's hard to justify an hour or more commute for an hour or two of fun. But when our friend, Cem (pronounced <i>"Jem",</i> like the jewel) invited us to see a special artist friend of his, I thought, "Why not!"<br />
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Trellis Bay is...<i>unique</i>. It's location - on the easternmost tip of Tortola - is a bit off the beaten path giving it a relaxed, sleepy vibe that is more commonplace in the remote islands down south. The bay itself is a horseshoe cove surrounded by thick mangroves and tucked-in by steep hills making it feel somehow hidden. It is home to a host of live-aboard boats (and a few derelict ones), a handful of great restaurants, and a vibrant <a href="http://www.aragornsstudio.com/fire.htm" target="_blank">artist's community</a>. At first glance, it doesn't seem to have much to offer. There is not much beach to speak of, and the area isn't particularly 'beautiful' as tropical island coves go, but it is certainly 'picturesque' and what it lacks in sweeping visage it makes up for in character and charm. This place has more color than most and I've never been anywhere quite like it.<br />
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We kicked off our shoes and started walking down the beach to the sound of sand underfoot, rustling wind through palms, and the call of the mourning doves until we came upon several local fishermen on the shore hauling in their catch in tandem. The girls stood and watched, mesmerized as the men - completely unfazed by our presence - grabbed handfuls of small bait fish out of their nets and headed to their boats to catch the bigger guys. We headed down the beach a little further, to <b><a href="http://www.aragornsstudio.com/" target="_blank">Aragon's Studio</a></b>, where we were to meet Cem and his artist friend.<br />
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Under the shade of a lush sea grape tree, there was "<i>Green Eye</i>" Joseph putting the final touches on a carving. Surrounded by messy pots of paint, with his head cocked to one side, he tentatively painted the various grooves and crevices of his creation, his hand smooth and steady. At his feet played his son, Ocean, a beautiful boy of seven who's general adorableness and effortless charm made me want to have a son and name him Ocean. Haven and Mira (Isla was at school this morning) were immediately taken by him and after a few bashful moments from the girls (who clung to my legs), soon they were all three jumping on the giant, purple, ad-hoc fishing net hammock set up in front of Aragon's.<br />
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Suddenly, I heard the happy voice of our Turkish friend, Cem. "Welcome, Brittany!" (he pronounces every syllable, <i>Bree-tan-knee</i>) "You came early! You meet Joseph? I have picnic and wine, but is chilling...wait a moment..." and off he was in a flurry. He returned with a bag of pretzels which the girls and Ocean happily indulged in and then he started giving us the run-down of Joseph's work. How he, and most of the (dead) wood he carved, came from Dominica, how it's sustainably harvested from the rainforest. We oohed and ahhed at his creativity, at which point Ocean showed up at my hip with a handful of <i>his</i> creations. "I made these ones!" he told me. "I sell my art too!" he beamed. God, this kid was cute. I would be buying something from him for <i>sure.</i><br />
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Joseph, while incredibly friendly and kind, was a man of few words and for the most part stuck to his work, quietly laughing and smiling at random comments from Ocean or at some antics the twins got into. At one point he brought over some pictures of commissioned work he did for Richard Branson a few years ago. If you visit Necker or Mosquito Island, you might just see Green Eyes work. Our party migrated to a picnic table where Cem (an environmentalist and keen farmer who has an eco-resort in Turkey) produced a lovely picnic of a prosciutto-esque meat (the name escapes me), organic tomatoes and arugula grown in his very own garden. He also unwrapped a gorgeous hunk of grainy white cheddar and a few fresh baguettes. I was instantly transported to my solo backpacking days where this was the go-to meal of choice; often eaten on the steps of a church, piazza, or park under the mid-day sun in some new town... I had forgotten just how well these simple ingredients came together.<br />
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As we gathered, a few more people joined us: Aleksandra, a Polish print artist just out of art school doing a residence in the studio for a couple of months, an old salty sailer with milky eyes who has been a captain most of his life and written books, and Dave, a jack of all trades sort of fellow who lives near Trellis and does some work for Aragorn, maintaining the <a href="http://www.aragornsstudio.com/fire.htm" target="_blank">full moon party fire balls</a> and general upkeep. It was an interesting assembly and some good conversation was had while the kids played happily in the background and we munched on Cem's generous picnic, sipping wine and chit chatting.<br />
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As the food dwindled, Aleksandra brought out a giant piece of sailcloth and a few pots of paint. "Is it okay for the girls to make art?" she asked me. Of course it was! Off came the twins' shirts and on went the paint. The girls and Ocean had a blast painting and creating on their giant canvas (and themselves!) and as I observed the scene I had a visceral moment of gratitude that our kids are able to have experiences like these. Moments like these are <i>precisely</i> why we live here. Everything I wanted and imagined.<br />
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Too soon, our time had come to pack up and leave to get home for naps. We finalized our purchases from both Ocean and Joseph, and made promises to return.<br />
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Which we will do, sooner than later.<br />
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The magic and organic evolution of this particular morning (one where we thought we were just going to check out some carvings!) would be hard to re-create, for sure, but you never know what might be in store for you when you visit Trellis Bay. At the very least, you can be transported back to a sleepier, simpler time and quietly enjoy the beauty and bounty this exciting little place has to offer. Or <i>maybe just maybe</i>, you will be treated with open arms to a lovely picnic with a talented artist, his eclectic and interesting neighbors, and walk away with memories to last a lifetime.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYj3_3aBgfnEX-6I38Bn1wZr6Kq8hicSQDj4EdUHi2Ns8iMgFUdb4Sa3ChDO5p2TvYXaIIjgSpSBkklx_2wBe2yv596Zfs7gGbYCWYCZ_IaTqLfivazP42Q4-wiwXM2i4FamAm2Q/s1600/trellis1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYj3_3aBgfnEX-6I38Bn1wZr6Kq8hicSQDj4EdUHi2Ns8iMgFUdb4Sa3ChDO5p2TvYXaIIjgSpSBkklx_2wBe2yv596Zfs7gGbYCWYCZ_IaTqLfivazP42Q4-wiwXM2i4FamAm2Q/s640/trellis1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joseph's art</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PkUQqafpq94bzaz9oBfCOuqhbmKnFCCh5hAT-6xEmQQMAvspHJ38DzolTOZaVSF1czznIWKw5kQ-cyG_zQK8AlAwkrCfgZx0hx-mwAa0hCTovimMDRqcmoW0YbJpO08UZnjAeQ/s1600/trellis2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PkUQqafpq94bzaz9oBfCOuqhbmKnFCCh5hAT-6xEmQQMAvspHJ38DzolTOZaVSF1czznIWKw5kQ-cyG_zQK8AlAwkrCfgZx0hx-mwAa0hCTovimMDRqcmoW0YbJpO08UZnjAeQ/s640/trellis2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocean</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsLzeiCqjguDo1RWKivSDg4uypab4mbxD5Wn_m06uAtA71tP3no87HwtX8K_Vw9QBA5W5nm2TzF3mvIHgMfy6oKwTrM-XI6nd6hJeJ6C9FSRCWTBcLPyAiFNvUrVdNc7ZQjdQjQ/s1600/trellis3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsLzeiCqjguDo1RWKivSDg4uypab4mbxD5Wn_m06uAtA71tP3no87HwtX8K_Vw9QBA5W5nm2TzF3mvIHgMfy6oKwTrM-XI6nd6hJeJ6C9FSRCWTBcLPyAiFNvUrVdNc7ZQjdQjQ/s640/trellis3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The meeting of new friends, always a bit awkward at first.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYcEQRF2i6y50hG3oaJnfOVkVvT0E2uEdafvEy7Kx1Uwyl4ID3Kae1YeJtboXJp6hDUWzykegifU9GrAl33cSr2V7_3k0Ji-3VcqbfuI7gUT5-DgN9Ah4JHUt7zhNAXpEVZy-hA/s1600/trellis4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYcEQRF2i6y50hG3oaJnfOVkVvT0E2uEdafvEy7Kx1Uwyl4ID3Kae1YeJtboXJp6hDUWzykegifU9GrAl33cSr2V7_3k0Ji-3VcqbfuI7gUT5-DgN9Ah4JHUt7zhNAXpEVZy-hA/s640/trellis4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cem, saying hello to the girls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg91LNROzqmd8I8DQUf-avlhYP4hz4stYiz6ZBG-hImvgF2f1AmRZqh8oIOVlUm9A3LUrz2R8NMKOkeMubDUQbNcG-742AZ98lYOB9xjetHS_0x5DRNaU8VecLj_5v4E6xQZVvmw/s1600/trellis5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg91LNROzqmd8I8DQUf-avlhYP4hz4stYiz6ZBG-hImvgF2f1AmRZqh8oIOVlUm9A3LUrz2R8NMKOkeMubDUQbNcG-742AZ98lYOB9xjetHS_0x5DRNaU8VecLj_5v4E6xQZVvmw/s640/trellis5.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocean constructing stands out of remnants of a fire ball</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnFgq2OBKGPRg9S3KTQ2K_4-V94ovOWAKWoRAEIJlixqVB7M01nDaaRja2mo4MeAGzpfY9qVJolFcUO5vz2fnjzmDvUu36FAAVV1LKWTB0hWFOIh1fxEakYHlqdvdZV8hjM6HrA/s1600/trellis6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnFgq2OBKGPRg9S3KTQ2K_4-V94ovOWAKWoRAEIJlixqVB7M01nDaaRja2mo4MeAGzpfY9qVJolFcUO5vz2fnjzmDvUu36FAAVV1LKWTB0hWFOIh1fxEakYHlqdvdZV8hjM6HrA/s640/trellis6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The commissioned pieces Joseph did for Richard Branson.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSYTK6pBiYjmYeRKR0UAGU1_ncbmiD-VMKshXE90478Jn7nmwdWlbCF6Tvmo_GQe2HgZ0WsSc9phxNzOU6MX8eyPBK2IrJNQi5_Drvg4bqIvo6t6kCA4sz7tQMpqX1rTP3lhw6Q/s1600/trellis8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSYTK6pBiYjmYeRKR0UAGU1_ncbmiD-VMKshXE90478Jn7nmwdWlbCF6Tvmo_GQe2HgZ0WsSc9phxNzOU6MX8eyPBK2IrJNQi5_Drvg4bqIvo6t6kCA4sz7tQMpqX1rTP3lhw6Q/s640/trellis8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our picnic</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdH7mwZr2svyIf3qLcCMVFtN1UtUptgGuCaSIiQa2l-mAKWINt9G6Lo09u2XUta8bs7FymMocxMXkDDnosXibYTuBFruc_fRbjzJWZqzTM_hTu0J0MpIAu-iEqxlPLcGA9nTMV1Q/s1600/trellis10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdH7mwZr2svyIf3qLcCMVFtN1UtUptgGuCaSIiQa2l-mAKWINt9G6Lo09u2XUta8bs7FymMocxMXkDDnosXibYTuBFruc_fRbjzJWZqzTM_hTu0J0MpIAu-iEqxlPLcGA9nTMV1Q/s640/trellis10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joseph, methodically working away - Ocean's creations are on the front of the table.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOma8nQtnS6d8uHxAP3Z5cDK4r1oQK5Q7C7IKayKNZOXrq-s3_oD0vgCO18M7Q0MVzt6IqddbK-0mXEq_gyi9ymkrlnNfyDdTK42q_LkP6xxQkcwg4DpvHuydhbEk7BlADjpjTw/s1600/trellis11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOma8nQtnS6d8uHxAP3Z5cDK4r1oQK5Q7C7IKayKNZOXrq-s3_oD0vgCO18M7Q0MVzt6IqddbK-0mXEq_gyi9ymkrlnNfyDdTK42q_LkP6xxQkcwg4DpvHuydhbEk7BlADjpjTw/s640/trellis11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By the end of our visit, the girls ADORED him!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PnV4ZMgulRFK1yxZrY2G1cp6iMYwrQis2GfaOC7uLFMq1y7hAaxcC8dKbkhpy5oI8x5FunyFm8Ews1lHoc1hljSyiTWvzwUqoWFcn_CcuBs82g8AynAD4lusgxIbrELPwHq4VQ/s1600/trellis12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PnV4ZMgulRFK1yxZrY2G1cp6iMYwrQis2GfaOC7uLFMq1y7hAaxcC8dKbkhpy5oI8x5FunyFm8Ews1lHoc1hljSyiTWvzwUqoWFcn_CcuBs82g8AynAD4lusgxIbrELPwHq4VQ/s640/trellis12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of Joseph's work.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvMz82LfoaX-WMNQaNwKou-ddkl3iiHL0xWz3yQZInWRYXQEplQv7SdGDRU9OKzwSz2Ryo-MGIjBqhBJ1ZJTuQtxBMg4tXy-IA5nS1pSrxyQWKatbJwz1JCc0DcF-LbYeJWOYuw/s1600/trellis14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvMz82LfoaX-WMNQaNwKou-ddkl3iiHL0xWz3yQZInWRYXQEplQv7SdGDRU9OKzwSz2Ryo-MGIjBqhBJ1ZJTuQtxBMg4tXy-IA5nS1pSrxyQWKatbJwz1JCc0DcF-LbYeJWOYuw/s640/trellis14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocean serenaded us after we painted</td></tr>
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Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12630726.post-65718337269692404282017-02-23T13:14:00.000-06:002017-02-24T07:54:24.071-06:00That Time We Were Models: Our Shoot with Vineyard Vines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKDHaUM24NzeId3Z6gbyyRjaHvTx7fpC26OFqbmBgpvu5IvFX8rHmTC4hFqZR0SnKr1-4M9bPiEhPpdk7ALmQDWN9AhJ04d6C7Wg62lc62QsEAYZ3rUIQ62fXI0I_7hgAe04CTg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-02-23+at+9.58.42+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKDHaUM24NzeId3Z6gbyyRjaHvTx7fpC26OFqbmBgpvu5IvFX8rHmTC4hFqZR0SnKr1-4M9bPiEhPpdk7ALmQDWN9AhJ04d6C7Wg62lc62QsEAYZ3rUIQ62fXI0I_7hgAe04CTg/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-02-23+at+9.58.42+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">When I opened my (very neglected) inbox and found an email among the unopened hordes entitled "Vineyard Vines Photoshoot" my interest was piqued</span>. I clicked the message and discovered it was from one of their producers, Kerry, asking if we'd like to be featured in their next catalog as part of their <i><a href="http://www.vineyardvines.com/real-good-people/real-good-people.html#" target="_blank">"Real People, Real Good Life"</a></i> campaign.<br />
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Um, <i>YEAH!! </i><br />
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But there were a few things I needed to clarify; namely 1) Scott is ridiculously busy with <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2016/01/new-year-new-beginnigs-our-big.html" target="_blank">our business</a> and often not available for a full day so we needed to really hammer down a date and timing and 2) [scrunches up nose] Did she know we had three (*<i>kinda</i>* crazy) kids ages four and under who would most likely have to be present for the shoot and could very well make said shoot end up...<i>well</i>, nuts?<br />
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Her response? <i>WE WANT <u>ALL</u> OF YOU!!</i><br />
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Hooray! So I messaged Scott asking whether or not he'd like to partake and braced myself for some flack as Scott is usually not the most enthused about offers like these being that he's the more private of our duo, but I was happily surprised when he came back with "Sure! Sounds fun!"<br />
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Game on, Vineyard Vines. <i>Game on!</i><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.vineyardvines.com/" target="_blank">Vineyard Vines</a></b>, if you have not heard of it, is a Connecticut-based clothing brand that has a full-blown cult following. Their style is preppy and "east coast"; their look decidedly <i>"yachty"</i>. People are obsessed with them and for good reason; the clothes are comfortable, well-made, and stylish. The styles are vibrant, fun, and classy... Seriously, <a href="http://www.vineyardvines.com/" target="_blank">check them out</a> - <i>soooo</i> nice. It's not a surprise after having worked with this great company now; the people behind it (who we met at the shoot at least) are incredible.</div>
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I communicated a lot with the producers about what they wanted, and had to request that our shoot include a two hour break for the girls to nap (beauty sleep!) as well as blue M&Ms and coconut water in our trailer. I went full diva because, <i>well</i>, I was going to be a model (flips hair). Okay, <i>joking</i>. I did <i>not </i>pull a Beyonce, but I <i>did </i>request that nap time be respected under the preface that nobody wants pictures of my motley crew if we are under-slept! They happily obliged and before we knew it - the day had come.<br />
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We have never modeled in our lives so had no real idea what to expect (although Scott does a mean "blue steel"). The <b><a href="http://www.vineyardvines.com/" target="_blank">Vineyard Vines</a></b> crew flew down en-masse with a crew of about fifteen (maybe a few more?) and at least as many <i>humongous</i> duffles full of clothes, shoes and accessories. Our shoot was to take place in three phases: phase one would be us sailing to the beautiful Peter Island, phase two would take us on the beach at Peter Island Beach club and then finally, phase three, in the luxury villa at the top of Peter Island.<br />
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A producer and photographer came to our boat at 7:30am to give us the clothes we were to wear and the general run down of what they wanted. "Just be yourselves," they said, "We have seen your pics. We just want you to be yourselves." Super! Easy enough. The photographer stayed on the boat with us while the producer followed in a chase boat getting video. We sailed as we do, the girls happily playing about, chilled out and very curious with our new crew member, but lucky for all of us, the wind was great, the sail was peaceful and we got to Peter Island for naps. "I cannot believe how well-behaved your girls are" the photographer told us as we docked. "Kids in NYC, they'd <i>never</i> be able to sit like these girls did for two hours without a device or toys. You guys rock!" I took the compliment because, let's be honest, our kids can be <a href="http://www.windtraveler.net/2017/02/newsflash-our-kids-are-not-as-perfect.html" target="_blank">downright unruly and rude at times</a> (they are four and two, after all). Thankfully today, they were not those things and they slayed a few hearts. <i>Phew.</i><br />
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After naps we headed to the beach with several other models where we raced the sun to get some shots, because if there is one thing you need for great photos, it's light. We got some fun shots on the beach but, unfortunately, the girls weren't exactly wanting to cooperate with what the photogs had in mind. "Walk in a line from tallest to shortest down the beach" was one request that was absolutely <i>not</i> going to happen with our crew. I joked that the twins basically killed our dreams of being professional models because they simply could not take direction! Luckily the crew, by this time, had fallen in love with our girls so all was forgiven and they let us just do our thing. I think the shots they got turned out pretty good.<br />
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Finally, we ended at one of the Villas atop Peter Island where the shoot was to wrap up. <i>OH. MY. GOSH.</i> <b><a href="http://peterisland.com/" target="_blank">Peter Island Resort</a></b> is truly amazing. Just spectacular. If you are looking for an exclusive and incredible place to vacation, this place has you covered. Our villa was top notch. We were greeted by our friend Alec and his gorgeous girlfriend Elsa (who the girls ADORE because: '<i>Elsa'!</i>) when we arrived. "Welcome to our humble home" he joked as he wrapped his arm around Elsa, "Can I get you a drink?" We got a few more frantic pics as the sun was setting, sipped some wine, had some laughs and then - <i>it was a wrap!</i><br />
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The day was better than we could have imagined and we had a total blast. The people at <b><a href="http://www.vineyardvines.com/" target="_blank">Vineyard Vines</a></b> - from the photographers to the make up people to the higher's up - are <i>so. much. fun.</i> They were all nice, relaxed, and *<i>so*</i> easy to work with. They doted on and adored the girls (which our kids ate right up!) and we now have these incredible pictures and this wonderful memory filed under "awesome opportunities we were given". We really cannot thank them enough.<br />
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If you want to check out the profiles of the other awesome BVI locals and friends in the shoot, check them out here: <i><a href="http://www.vineyardvines.com/real-good-people/real-good-people.html#" target="_blank">Real People, Real Good Life</a></i>.<br />
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***</div>
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Thank you, <b><a href="http://www.vineyardvines.com/" target="_blank">Vineyard Vines</a></b>, for choosing us to work with! We had SO much fun and we love you guys!<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">And now, for the pics</span>...</i></b><br />
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First, some behind the scenes shots:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHFg6hFX_meAT094gkQTKm9Cd8ZcC8SU-WVSbgE8S0Nf-g6vayUxdTMfwSIk0FCyIpTr4a48vXBy1ykdkiM88Vc5Ri_x98Oc14EPWGMNPITnGoMxdclI6JE7IAZSz4ps299W4eg/s1600/bts1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHFg6hFX_meAT094gkQTKm9Cd8ZcC8SU-WVSbgE8S0Nf-g6vayUxdTMfwSIk0FCyIpTr4a48vXBy1ykdkiM88Vc5Ri_x98Oc14EPWGMNPITnGoMxdclI6JE7IAZSz4ps299W4eg/s640/bts1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did raise the sails, but this is leaving the harbor and we were really hoping to dodge the squall. Luckily we did!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMnpqL8zrR2OcskqwPd9D1RHGdQqwXOIz4xco_IvlvC6x_PTiy0dLFVAhUqOKxK9lyDAWMHac8aKZxVBITwSIw7V-_qdjFLQjTaWD0rJ4CVfwF27ezN4GuLoiKFfKugqqxMSRDQ/s1600/bts2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMnpqL8zrR2OcskqwPd9D1RHGdQqwXOIz4xco_IvlvC6x_PTiy0dLFVAhUqOKxK9lyDAWMHac8aKZxVBITwSIw7V-_qdjFLQjTaWD0rJ4CVfwF27ezN4GuLoiKFfKugqqxMSRDQ/s640/bts2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the producers showing the girls the gear. They loved him.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJCulYl_Vb1u6vSy6pNMdms8ZxiZ6Q9FyE8rB91sY2T70q-Avzebn2tE39K8MAKKYEfjhjYwbc_ESMD2RzhyphenhypheniypAAQn19q4BZNQ0-hrfs3dJfVxe-zj_hNI54U9S0XBkMdWl1TA/s1600/bts3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJCulYl_Vb1u6vSy6pNMdms8ZxiZ6Q9FyE8rB91sY2T70q-Avzebn2tE39K8MAKKYEfjhjYwbc_ESMD2RzhyphenhypheniypAAQn19q4BZNQ0-hrfs3dJfVxe-zj_hNI54U9S0XBkMdWl1TA/s640/bts3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were no trailers at this shoot, but big power catamarans. So many clothes, shoes and accessories. And snacks ;)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBqeGdeCn_vG3FvBXwliA4jZEq43pugxtvvnfq6BwqGgRI7f2LBAazLILrJHOlDM5vnrdu9rMq-KVxEFerfd7QvaX1mv_KmoCodPivIH8ytrLUZKpivfdCHoAxQuma0t3Xdpn0w/s1600/bts5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBqeGdeCn_vG3FvBXwliA4jZEq43pugxtvvnfq6BwqGgRI7f2LBAazLILrJHOlDM5vnrdu9rMq-KVxEFerfd7QvaX1mv_KmoCodPivIH8ytrLUZKpivfdCHoAxQuma0t3Xdpn0w/s640/bts5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "look book" they also had all of the pics of the models (ours included) from Instagram and whatnot, as well as our profiles and outfits.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDZ8IP67IJ8nAhWc7VXdQI1xIcIDO422ohn4tDyA50PFtaWbV3KXca_ad27IEWgBTeF1nLA9TF8rNPtA_Ah-AqUeKmP3uIFNlZI0Avg2c1-bT9yqhpDH34Qif0U3Mnnm_7Wh0fw/s1600/bts6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDZ8IP67IJ8nAhWc7VXdQI1xIcIDO422ohn4tDyA50PFtaWbV3KXca_ad27IEWgBTeF1nLA9TF8rNPtA_Ah-AqUeKmP3uIFNlZI0Avg2c1-bT9yqhpDH34Qif0U3Mnnm_7Wh0fw/s640/bts6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">These shadows were getting in the way of the shoot!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5mfXETROAV2BqntpCb7BgJw4xTI6Fd69hHX0qCrMU-T0CRN1X1rJJSQVlJSAK73BlaydEvVdAsSILp3YlskUy-g7VKpEIe4m6l2F4A-NRYd0Q4guchr-XBc0XvLO7iTXJUsykw/s1600/bts7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5mfXETROAV2BqntpCb7BgJw4xTI6Fd69hHX0qCrMU-T0CRN1X1rJJSQVlJSAK73BlaydEvVdAsSILp3YlskUy-g7VKpEIe4m6l2F4A-NRYd0Q4guchr-XBc0XvLO7iTXJUsykw/s640/bts7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying hard to get in some final shots while daylight was still good.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBr-4tKZrdd3COZADqTL9WFLfQYg47B8bMmnzIqrEvU4In7kl7L0XPYjWAQI8pugUjIopW86QweBEF8qpBp_vqzkC8j-hfcf6cHoZ96qnV0PMXGu4nVuBDDjlmL55VFAxwvh0rjw/s1600/bts8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBr-4tKZrdd3COZADqTL9WFLfQYg47B8bMmnzIqrEvU4In7kl7L0XPYjWAQI8pugUjIopW86QweBEF8qpBp_vqzkC8j-hfcf6cHoZ96qnV0PMXGu4nVuBDDjlmL55VFAxwvh0rjw/s640/bts8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They put on a cartoon for the girls and made them popcorn, it was about 5pm and the wheels were coming off the bus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VgdK9jp2WNdh_Zp7WYqbn5wK6uS7DeGYWwFxAg_ZnSeSwbBVqdfkV7c3HAsznX0KcG172XeppyEmHcQU6N4Fn0PylZYzL7M73brXq_eWwUD4ofbAq-71UItRQQSy3iS4d3EiXQ/s1600/bts9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VgdK9jp2WNdh_Zp7WYqbn5wK6uS7DeGYWwFxAg_ZnSeSwbBVqdfkV7c3HAsznX0KcG172XeppyEmHcQU6N4Fn0PylZYzL7M73brXq_eWwUD4ofbAq-71UItRQQSy3iS4d3EiXQ/s640/bts9.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are completely fake laughing here. It seemed appropriate.</td></tr>
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<br />
Now, for the catalog shots:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Xo32FALTMLXtuqTQ9h1a-FiS0hniCXsInFAD0c_jHy7opGJ5UutAq7l1Om1_yqthaCLoKtPSjn-oogPvxrHDjTlHgKlC4rFm9Jm34wBu71QCLMUYXkgFetdQYk-__hU22FkyNQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-02-23+at+9.57.54+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Xo32FALTMLXtuqTQ9h1a-FiS0hniCXsInFAD0c_jHy7opGJ5UutAq7l1Om1_yqthaCLoKtPSjn-oogPvxrHDjTlHgKlC4rFm9Jm34wBu71QCLMUYXkgFetdQYk-__hU22FkyNQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-02-23+at+9.57.54+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMH3i2cKo3_jOgV_5YUlafen-0DMZ9qgXr17hp7l2hUoyj1VE9xsoKZ8qJ0L3x6qNUYEvT9hlDqA77oV0TjzYbfDtMr0K1h5MHZn3wI88-COap_DNchvy5i6QDV82_ZYLfdlOeUQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-02-23+at+9.58.08+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMH3i2cKo3_jOgV_5YUlafen-0DMZ9qgXr17hp7l2hUoyj1VE9xsoKZ8qJ0L3x6qNUYEvT9hlDqA77oV0TjzYbfDtMr0K1h5MHZn3wI88-COap_DNchvy5i6QDV82_ZYLfdlOeUQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-02-23+at+9.58.08+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1m5qBKKJDXJM3S2mRPJ0b26fDjs7jOFl9K37UUPEyqMZRvtMzsiQOAfKhf3Rgo8KnvS4oJnjJCFZxUbStBQiy9fhncFYWXxHbXGelVoJ5-plNJzNLjJ13-ccBc_Ls0d6bXEB7aQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-02-23+at+9.58.26+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1m5qBKKJDXJM3S2mRPJ0b26fDjs7jOFl9K37UUPEyqMZRvtMzsiQOAfKhf3Rgo8KnvS4oJnjJCFZxUbStBQiy9fhncFYWXxHbXGelVoJ5-plNJzNLjJ13-ccBc_Ls0d6bXEB7aQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-02-23+at+9.58.26+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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We are also on the website:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSCArMDDVYRIaJOWvXO3y0L7ID693TYqvE49Vadsks8lby32qCr78A69BWtr6Rr664kIQF52HGr0x2PX2MEtESp9Uf_0wS-nFrHJG2CbdprgC9Ph3xgie8f5AtEae-Rla4RnSBQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-02-23+at+1.01.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSCArMDDVYRIaJOWvXO3y0L7ID693TYqvE49Vadsks8lby32qCr78A69BWtr6Rr664kIQF52HGr0x2PX2MEtESp9Uf_0wS-nFrHJG2CbdprgC9Ph3xgie8f5AtEae-Rla4RnSBQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-02-23+at+1.01.37+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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And Haven and I are on the little mailer that goes out:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TzC7ciXxhasCOYpD_TAQs8cBbT8FO87JOJTRZCA0h0S-bPsQz-gTAsE0MM2-avukVOKRqaI-RDzq5aJp45UQxvytYO3EjchlNRlk6-20Tb1voprcTDvseUrwIYPy1g4x5JKgzQ/s1600/mailer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TzC7ciXxhasCOYpD_TAQs8cBbT8FO87JOJTRZCA0h0S-bPsQz-gTAsE0MM2-avukVOKRqaI-RDzq5aJp45UQxvytYO3EjchlNRlk6-20Tb1voprcTDvseUrwIYPy1g4x5JKgzQ/s640/mailer.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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And here are some more shots that didn't make it into the catalog:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qIwJIg6qr0K_IXAFlSdXlFN3v4glxgImYoEWPE4vWIfiUOJWbj2G0QN3gGTbvOFaBH0VQJuqmcqeOjZM7IdtnB7dg21tdG-_zU5Mkz4AdyEbo0vXtuzvS4kYGSTEQ6u6Xhw0ig/s1600/vv1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qIwJIg6qr0K_IXAFlSdXlFN3v4glxgImYoEWPE4vWIfiUOJWbj2G0QN3gGTbvOFaBH0VQJuqmcqeOjZM7IdtnB7dg21tdG-_zU5Mkz4AdyEbo0vXtuzvS4kYGSTEQ6u6Xhw0ig/s640/vv1.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Windtravelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11933432135694020418noreply@blogger.com9