"What should we do this fall?," I asked Sarah recently. Our youngest had just left for college. I'm at a break in my career. I was itching to do something big and not squander this unique window of time. But what? Travel, to put it mildly, is difficult right now. Most of the things we … Continue reading We’re Biking the Atlantic Coast
Adventure
Empty Nest Adventures – Part One
In August, our youngest child Jimmy left for UW-Madison. After a quarter of a century of being full time parents with kids at home, my wife Sarah and I are now empty nesters. We have no fall sporting events to attend. The house is eerily quiet, the dishwasher takes three days for us to fill … Continue reading Empty Nest Adventures – Part One
Biking Home
It takes me around 5 hours to drive the 295 miles between our home in Minneapolis and our cottage outside of Watersmeet, Michigan. I’ve driven the route countless times. It’s a chore. The Drive For years I’ve thought about making the trip in a different way. In a way that would turn that chore into … Continue reading Biking Home
Travel School. What I Learned Homeschooling my Son for Five Months
My wife, son and I just returned from a 5-month trip. We spent most of this time sailing a boat from Grenada to the Virgin Islands. Just the three of us—it was an amazing, inspiring, awesomely fun adventure. I had several goals for the trip, but now that it’s over, I think one of the … Continue reading Travel School. What I Learned Homeschooling my Son for Five Months
Re-Entry—It Isn’t Just Hard On Astronauts
We are back. Just a few short weeks ago Sarah, Jimmy and I stepped off the boat that had been our short term home and began a 22 hour journey from Tortola, B.V.I., that included a ridiculously dangerous taxi ride, a ferry ride involving the rescue of a capsized sailboat, two long flights, and a 1AM … Continue reading Re-Entry—It Isn’t Just Hard On Astronauts
New Friends & Sad Endings
“Welcome back,” the Cruz Bay Customs Official said to me as I stepped up to clear into the United States on the island of St John. After the longest absence of our lives, we were back on U.S. soil. I have to confess that it felt good in a familiar sort of way. Like walking … Continue reading New Friends & Sad Endings
Into the Dark
“I think I just saw an old colonial woman out there,” Sarah said to Jimmy and me as she rejoined us at the helm. Having not seen the movie Bridesmaids, I didn’t immediately get the joke, but quickly realized that I didn’t need to worry about a sea rescue. “Wow, is it dark out here . … Continue reading Into the Dark
Up Island
Traveling the Caribbean by sailboat is something that I've dreamed about for years. And I can now confirm that the actual experience is even better than I expected. After saying goodbye to our college girls, Sarah, Jimmy and I departed Antigua and started heading "up island," as they say around here. We hit Montserrat, Nevis, St. Barths and Anguilla. … Continue reading Up Island
College Girls
Our college girls, Maddie and Caitlin, came for a visit last week. We don't get to see them as much now that they are away at school and starting their own lives. And this makes the times we get to spend together even more special. It was so great to see their smiling faces, listen … Continue reading College Girls
Clockwise Around Antigua
Another week of our adventure is in the books. Last week found us on a clockwise loop of Antigua and Barbuda with our good friends the Pellinos. Added bonus: the charter company I'm working with gave us a complimentary upgrade to a brand spanking new Lagoon 450 cat that just crossed the Atlantic. The boat has … Continue reading Clockwise Around Antigua
