Summer Reading

So our friends on Fine Line really left this time. We enjoyed spending time on their boat and couldn't help but wonder if we'd ever do it again ourselves someday. We were sad to see them go, but that's what it's like when you're friends with cruisers. I think once you're a cruiser, you're always a cruiser, and it's amazing how easy and fast you get back into the lingo, the lifestyle, and the rhythm, even if only for a few hours. Once they left, I kept seeing pictures like this posted about funnels that were dropping down in the area Steve & Anne were headed, but they're sailing pros, so I'm sure they're fine. That said, I'm looking forward to confirmation that they're safely anchored or docked somewhere.

When we were sailing around, I was always surprised at how many people were cruising with kids. One boat was home to twin one-year-olds - now that was brave. I've also spoken to many landlocked dreamers who are waiting until the kids are gone before they head out. Why? Cruising is a great way to reconnect with each other. To teach your munchkins how to live life instead of through their electronics. To encourage a sense of responsibility. Today it's rather easy to homeschool, so I'm not sure there are really any barriers left to cruising with kids. During our adventure, we ran into Carla & Dan and their two kids, Tessa (6) and Tristan (9). At the time we met them (in the Dominican Republic), they were still a little timid about their trip and unsure of their future, but as they went on, we followed their blog and were just amazed at how brave they got. While we were settling onto our island paradise, they were sleeping on careening buses in Ecuador, watching a sunrise in Machu Picchu in Peru, and playing with pink dolphins in the Amazon as they trekked around South America. Still not satisfied, they took an RV trip across the US, continuing to push their limits and appreciating what the national parks had to offer. Carla recently published a book called A Life Without Borders, and if you have any curiosity about travel, I highly recommend it. She's got a website to go with it so you can view pictures of their travels as you read. The book is funny, insightful, and inspiring, so if you're looking for a good romp, you can't go wrong with this one.

I'm preparing for a two-week trip to St. Kitts, so we're about to see if you can go "home" again.