Where it Started
There were two things immediately established when we met in 2014:
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1. We weren't dog people
2. There is more to this life than how we are living it.
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In 2015, on a trip in the Somoto Canyon of Nicaragua, we were inspired by a young couple from Germany backpacking from the tip of South America to New York. At that moment, we realized, living to work was for the birds.
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Shortly after on Lake LBJ in Kingsland, TX, we sailed on a Holder 12 and the seed was planted. We went back home to Fort Worth, TX and took sailing lessons. Every sailor needs a boat, so we adopted and recuperated the Sanctuary, a 1979 O'day 25, courtesy of Benbrook Lake Marina. After running aground, breaking the keel, and crashing into docks, we were ready to charter a sailboat in the British Virgin Islands with Uncle Randy and Aunt Teri, who both happen to be nurses. Safety first!
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Fast forward 11 months later, we begin boat shopping and job hunting and in February 2016, in a 48-hour time period, we both received job offers and were the proud owners of a 1983 Ericson 38, Josephine. We sold everything, moved onto the boat in March and established a five and half year plan to become debt free, refit Josephine, and save enough so that we could quit our jobs in Fall 2021 to explore seas and shores.
Captain Blake
For as long as I can remember, I was on the lakes and rivers in North Texas, fishing, skiing, and camping. I've always had a love for the water, but being so far from the coastline, I never considered living on, or traveling by sailboat. In fact, I never even stepped foot on a sailboat until my 30's. I was immediately hooked, and it didn't take long to put a plan together of traveling the world under sail. Once I met and fell in love with Diana, I knew we would be travel partners for life. I hope you enjoy, but most of all, become inspired by our travels the way we were inspired by the German couple in Nicaragua.
Diana
I did not grow up hiking, sailing, or anything of the sorts. I'm not an adrenaline junkie or thrill seeker. I am a thinker, a writer, an investigator and explorer. For me this journey is not as much about sailing as it is to see what I'm made of in the face of the unknown; to practice releasing control and allowing what is; and to lead with love.
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I am grateful for every second I have on this Earth and the opporuntiy to explore it with Blake. I have no idea what is ahead of us but am open to possibilities and am committed to being present for every bit of it!
S/V Josephine
Josephine is a 1983 Ericson 381 sloop. She has a 5.5 ft shoal draft keel and spade rudder, making her nimble and quick. She went through a five year refit where we brought her back to life one boat project at a time. After hours at the boat yard and blood, sweat, and tears, she is ready for ocean voyaging.
