A bit about me, and a few thoughts about our trip

If you know Grant or me personally, or have read the Inspiration section of our website, you probably have a good idea of our passion for exploration, service, and the outdoors in general. Both of us have gone on countless camping trips, worked in the service of the environment, and spent time in all kinds of places across the world.

Grant’s taken part in programs and research from rain forests of Honduras to the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia. Just this past summer, he spent a month canoeing and backpacking across northern Canada. Several years ago, I lived with a small family in the mountains of Costa Rica for a week. Over the past two summers, I’ve been doing a lot of hiking, camping, and rafting in and around Yellowstone National Park as well as in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Last winter, I sailed in the Caribbean for six weeks and explored caves in the Dominican Republic, climbed waterfalls in Jamaica, and snorkeled with barracudas in St. John.

But why a sailing trip? Why not something a bit more conventional and land-based?

We have the experience to pull it off, without a doubt. I grew up sailing with my family on weeklong trips off the coast of Maine and Massachusetts during the summers. During the Fall and Winter of 2012-2013, I studied abroad with SEA Semester on a 134’ brigantine. While sailing 24/7 for six weeks in the Caribbean, I became skilled at coastal piloting, oceanographic research, celestial navigation, and the operations of a ship, including the responsibilities of command. Last summer, I began taking part in sail races, including the Governor’s Cup overnight race held on the Chesapeake Bay.

But that’s not a reason. The reason we are planning to eat, sleep, and live on a boat is because we will be able to go anywhere we want to. What better way to reach the places we want to volunteer than by the power of wind? When you step foot on a sailboat, the world’s oceans immediately change from vast stretches of intimidating no man’s land into wide, blue highways. At sea, countless new adventures sit right below the horizon, just waiting for us to go out and chase them.