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.
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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.
