In the beginning ~The Admiral

For those that know us, they know the beginning of the story. For those that don't, here's a brief not so brief recap.

We decided in 2010 that we were going to throw caution to the wind and begin a new journey. We have always known we would end up living on a sailboat, we just assumed it would be after all the kids were out of the house. Then down to two (of five) kids at home, and having started homeschooling those two, we started getting antsy for adventure. After a particularly trying week at work for Steve (Firefighter/EMT for 12 years), I made the bold statement "What are we waiting for?" That statement started sinking in and later that week, a news story of a man killed while sitting in his recliner, by a garbage truck crashing through his living room, sealed the deal. What were we waiting for? When someone's job brings them in contact with tragedy everyday, life begins to feel shorter and shorter. And so it began.

We started selling off our stuff. At this point, we lived in a small town in the middle of Missouri and it was December. It was cold and we had visions of palm trees in our heads. We sold off our furniture, our chickens, donated our clothes (most of them) and started the boat search. We knew what we wanted. A small boat that would be easy to maintain and get our feet wet. It needed bunks for four and accommodations for six. We both had experience sailing, so we knew just enough to be dangerous.

The perfect boat appeared in Florida, in the same town where Steve's Grandmother lives and while my Mother was visiting to watch the kids and dogs, we made arrangements to see her. (The boat and the Grandmother) Long story short, we saw her, loved her and bought her. (The boat, not Grandma) So now what?

We flew back, sold and donated the rest of our stuff; two weeks' notice to work and prepared for our adventure. After moving several times and always requiring the largest of moving trucks, I can't tell you how nice it was to pack things into the smallest moving trailer!

We stopped at the Gulf in LA.

That was 10 months ago. A lot has happened in those ten months. So many memories. Our oldest son came to visit, we learned all about exactly how solar power works (not the fun way) and Steve learned how to install a new diesel motor! We put it to video to sum up our brief but fun adventure aboard The Dreamer.

With all we've learned from our 1974 Morgan 28' OI, one thing was clear. We wanted a Morgan but we were ready for bigger. As God always does, He provided and we are now the proud owners of a 1974 Morgan 41' OI in need of some love and attention. So the games begin again and now our real adventure starts. Here's to an adventurous New Year. Here's to safe travels and fair seas. Here's to friends and family in 2012. Here's to No Más!

Our toast to No Más on our maiden voyage

~The Admiral.