Twenty years ago, in April of 2003, Ali and I would have been in Chicago getting ourselves ready to go sailing for the first time. Or we would have been in Minnesota, breaking the news to our family that we were leaving success behind in our twenties to go off and play, rather than doubling down on our efforts towards achieving the 1% dream.
Today, we’re older, but no less prone to go off on a lark. Should we be setting off to sail around the world? Likely not. It’s not a reasonable thing to do. It’s going to stretch our time and resources, and there’s no foreseeable way that it could put us back on the American Dream highway. Yet, here we are.
I’m sitting here typing, with my hair long and my face unshaven, boardshorts, a t-shirt, and bare feet, surrounded by two great kids and the most adventurous wife any guy could ever ask for. We answer to nobody. We don’t commute to work for someone else. We don’t own a home or a pickup truck. Somehow, I consider this life a raging success story. We work for ourselves, from home, no matter where that is. We explore the world together, we take chances, and can’t imagine it any other way.
This year, and for years afterwards, hopefully, we’ll be scuba diving in some of the world’s most remote places. We’ll be hiking volcanoes, riding in tuk-tuks through chaotic Asian markets, swimming with Great Whites in Africa, and tipping a drink on beaches that look like they were created in Photoshop.
The great thing about sailing around the world is that there is no beginning, and no end. We circumnavigators sometimes fool ourselves into believing there is. We say we began in Fort Lauderdale, sailed around the world, and ended in Fort Lauderdale. But that wasn’t the end. I’m not even sure leaving from Fort Lauderdale was the beginning. Something started us on the path earlier. And while the path hasn’t been a straight line, it has been a fairly continuous one for us.
Our kids were born so many years ago now, right here in Puerto Vallarta. Somewhere in the middle of our life’s path, I suppose, and now they are sailing off from Puerto Vallarta towards the South Pacific. Being from PV they are birthed with the nickname pata salada. Salty feet. We’ve tried to raise them that way. Salty feet. Bare feet. Dirty feet. Feet free to go off and explore the world.
Yesterday we slipped the lines and pulled away from the dock with a next destination lying nearly 3,000 miles and 3-4 weeks away. We say we’re sailing around the world again, but really, we never stopped.
We rented a car for our last day and made another couple of runs to the grocery store, along with a quick trip to buy flippers after I realized at the last moment that I haven’t bought any for myself since leaving the Grand Banks.
Customs and Immigration were supposed to arrive at 10:30, we thought, yet their group wandered down the dock at 9:45 while we had the hose filling the water tanks, Ali was still doing last minute laundry and cooking, I was filling screw holes, and the kids were out buying ice cream with the last of our pesos. The dock was still a mess, we were dripping sweat, and there they were. They were kind and more forgiving than I thought they’d be. These days when you clear out of the country, they watch you toss your lines off the dock and wave goodbye. For us, they filled out the paperwork, did some cursory inspections to be sure we hadn’t loaded the boat with drugs or stowaways, and asked us to leave as soon as we finished up what we were doing. We did.
While the officers were onboard, Ali was making pasta salad and browning a few pounds worth of taco meat.
We said goodbye to our friends around the marina and tossed the lines off from the same slip Lowe was brought home to Bumfuzzle 2 all those years ago.
Lowe has been given the duty of videographer for this trip. Ali and I have never been interested in shooting and editing video, but we always enjoy watching it later. Hopefully we now have our family video historian.
Family selfies as we set off.
The morning was a mad rush. Motoring in the calm bay was a good time to send off a couple last minute messages home.
We left with no wind which is pretty typical in the mornings here. But soon it filled in and we were racing along with the Code Zero. Lowe was impressed with our speed. And so was I, frankly, considering how loaded the boat is with provisions.
Then, about three hours in, and still inside Banderas Bay, the sail ripped. So much for that light wind sail. We could have stopped easily enough I suppose. Gone in to La Cruz, called the sail repair lady, and waited a few days to get going again. It didn’t even cross my mind, or Ali’s. Lowe asked, “We’re going back, right?” and Ali assured him we had all the sails we needed while I hoisted the main and unfurled the jib. A little more work, and a little slower in light winds, but we were willing to trade a couple more days at sea versus at anchor. We fully expect setbacks like this along the way, we just didn’t expect it in the first hours.
We had a nice sail the first day out. We didn’t set any speed records, but the first 24 hours notched 111 miles and a good night of sleep.
Unfortunately, Lowe got seasick. Motion sickness is fairly normal for him, which sucks, considering how much time we spend on a boat or driving around in a motorhome. He’s tough as nails, though. Never a complaint. Powers through it the best he can, and always comes out the other side.
Woke up to chilly (by our standards) weather and flat seas. Not breaking any speed records, but we’re happy to knock off 100+ mile days with light winds and flat conditions. Especially at the beginning of a passage. Certainly helped Lowe come around.
Got one of those gifts you only get at sea, when a mama and her baby came to join us for a swim. Papa was there, too, I’m guessing, but the baby did nothing but mirror his mom.
All in all, a pretty good start to the trip.
37 Comments on “We’re Off”
As my late Dad would say… We’re off! Like a dirty shirt!
Fair winds to you!
Here I am again as I was on your first sail all those years ago. I look forward to your trip. I don’t write often but I’ve been with you for many a year.
Here’s to fair winds and a wonderful trip.
Bon Voyage!!
Elaine May from Vancouver Island BC, Canada
Well thank you for writing, Elaine. Do you remember how you found us all those years ago? I’m always curious, back when there weren’t all these cruising blogs/channels to follow, how people came to find us.
So beautiful, guys! One of my all time fave posts from you. Can’t wait to see what happens next. The kids have grown so much. 🥰
Wishing all good things along your journey.
Thanks, Maritza. I just went to your FB page as I wanted to see what your family was up to – see you aren’t posting any longer. I hope all your boys are doing fabulous (and probably growing like mine!).
Safari njema! We look forward to welcoming you in Kilifi, Kenya 🇰🇪 in a year or 2. Karibu!
Spectacular travels are what you havre ahead. Slainte and Aloha.
Safe travels …what an adventure you will have.
Fantastic! Looking forward to all your posts.
Mast und Schotbruch!
Lucky journey!
Thrilled to see you underway at last. Beautiful family photo, love those smiles. Kudos to Lowe for pushing through the seasickness, and we look forward to his videos. Wishing you fair winds, smooth seas, and many new adventures.
My continued best to your family and you. Great post! Ali will have that light wind sail patched and back up in no time! Go Ali!
“I find I’m so excited I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it is the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain”
Fair winds and thank you for allowing us to join you on your journeys.
Been following you since 2003. That means I’ve been envious for twenty years! Fair winds and keep those smiles!
Bon Voyage! I wish my kids could have had such a fabulous experience and education! Do the kids keep a log or journal of what they see and experience?
Incredible to see Lowe go from Baby to videographer. Fair winds, Bums!
God speed and SAFE PASSAGE!
“MotorMouth” is along with you once again…so many adventures, so little time! Travel well!
I have enjoyed your posts. I started following your blog when you had your number 5 vehicle. The motorhome. Our friends we were travelling with told us about you. You actually were parked in the tiny rv park in Mexico on our way home from Mazatlan. I have been following you ever since. And enjoy every post. Safe travels.
Been following your adventure(s) since the last time you did this. Looking forward to seeing Lowe’s videos. On YouTube maybe?
When I say family video historian, I really just mean family video, not sailing Youtube video. He’s free to do what he chooses, but there’s no plan to go online.
Congratulations and well done! Looking forward to what lies ahead.
I remember binge reading your blog of your first adventure across the Pacific so it’s exciting to see you setting sail again with the kids. What an experience this is going to be for them! I think you’ve got it right about the American dream….everyone is doing it backwards. I’m happy to see many of the younger generation are saying enough of the madness and embracing life without all the constraints of mega expensive homes and all the rest that goes with that lifestyle. Life should be filled with as much joy as possible and as little “stuff” as possible. Wishing you fair sails and looking forward to reading about your new adventures ☺️
Pat: “We rented a car for our last day and made another couple of runs to the grocery store, along with a quick trip to buy flippers after I realized at the last moment that I haven’t bought any for myself since leaving the Grand Banks.”
I wonder if “flippers” is a word more commonly used in the middle of the country? I’m from Colorado and graduated from Colorado State, but many of my college friends there were from California. They thought it was so funny that I called them flippers. I asked what they called them and learned that “fins” is the word used on the west coast. Oh well . . .
I think you’ll miss the Code Zero when you reach the ITCZ. I can’t remember if you had a spinnaker of some variety on the Wildcat for your first ciircumnavigation, but for prolonged downwind sailing they’re a blessing.
Fair winds and following seas, Bums.
Fairwinds, guys. As usual, I’ll be in that back the whole way. Can’t wait to follow along. Hans
hou!!
Still with you all the way!
Our phrase was “We’re off… like a herd of turtles “. Safe sailing!!!
Sending good vibes for your safety and good health. I’ve been enjoying reading about your adventures for years. Your e-mails are the first thing I read when they pop up on my screen.
I’m glad that you recognize that the life you have chosen is a raging success. I’d agree. You’ve got common sense, a sense of adventure, the ability to repair almost anything (I’m truly in awe of that one!), two spouses that support and appreciate one another, two bright kids who are as smart, curious and adventurous and loving as their parents. To hell with the “American Dream!” I wish I were going with you! When my phone dinged with news of a new blog post tonight, I couldn’t wait to get home to read it. When you are my age and look back at what you’ve accomplished, you are not going to regret a thing. I wish I’d had your chutzpah in my younger days. Don’t keep us waiting too long for an update and be careful swimming with the Great White sharks!
YouTube channel!?
Fair winds and following seas, Bums! Looking forward to your adventures!
Woop Woop! Yay! Goodonyas? Another chapter! Can’t wait for the visual and compelling narratives to arrive!
What a beautiful ship! So comfortable and functional looking!
Oh what an adventure! Wishing you good weather, fair winds and safe travels! Thanks so much for sharing also.
Wonderful !! – Safe Fun Adventures for your Family !! No comparison for life at sea.
Ali, you asked how people started following your journey. For me it was a letter in Sailing Anarchy mentioning a couple who didn’t even know that their winches were 2 speed. You were being mocked a little by the writer. I thought, this was a couple who might be worth following. They must have gigantic cojones. This could be an interesting voyage. You have not disappointed me. I have enjoyed following you for these many years, and enjoyed Pat’s photography, and how it has drastically improved over the years.
Fair winds and smooth seas to you.