How did we get here

It’s hard to know where to begin this story.   When we loosely planned it seven years ago in purchasing Tango, when it became more  important to do 2 years ago after my CABG*7 (major heart surgery), when Brenda asked me about going or when the boat was loaded onto the truck this week.   Lots of planning goes into making something like this happen but if determined, anything is possible.  Basic steps included:

1.    Learn to sail – this began when we were 18 and I learned to sail on my friend Robert’s father’s Bluenose 24

2.    Get a boat – bought a 10 foot dingy, then a 36 foot C&C Frigate, then a 40 foot Jeanneau Sun Odyssey(instantly dubbed the “go south” boat)

3.    Get some experience – sailed to the 1000 islands a dozen times,twice single handed; multiple lake Ontario crossings including several single handed; 3 years club PHRF class champions as crew aboard my friend Richard’s J’24;  skippered a successful completion of the Lake Ontario 300 aboard our C&C 36 Frigate Big Fun; two multi-lake 650NM + deliveries, one as skipper; Brenda and I  also completed formal sail training with CYA, US Sailing and ISAF certifications Steve and Doris Colgate's Offshore Sailing School 

4.    Dream a plan, Lived vicariously through sister Leslie & husband Tim as they sailed off 14 years ago and remained off the grid for 5 years; convince myself and my partner we might do something someday

5.   Plan the Dream – this involved an intense 2 -3 months of organization of the trip itself, plan for maintenance of personal financial and land based obligations as well as my mom’s affairs while we will be away

6.   Live the Dream – this is the beginning of that ...cr