After more than 35 years of marriage, we’re setting our sights on a new kind of adventure. With three grown children, two cherished granddaughters, and a pair of loyal dogs who have shared in countless memories along the way, we’re embracing the exciting transition into retirement. While we’re still enjoying this chapter of life on land, we’re actively preparing for what comes next—launching our full-time journey in late 2028.
We plan to trade the familiar comforts of home for life on the water aboard our 44-foot Endeavour TrawlerCat, where simplicity, freedom, and exploration will take center stage. This journey is about more than travel—it’s about redefining what home looks like, deepening our connection to each other, and fully savoring the next chapter of life as we cruise toward new horizons.
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Day 2: Locks, Lines, and Learning Fast
Read more: Day 2: Locks, Lines, and Learning FastWe traveled from Naples to Ortona on July 7, 2025, a 76-nautical-mile day that included Sandi’s first experience at the Franklin Lock. The morning began with a windlass failure, but Dee hand-pulled the anchor so we could depart. Throughout the day Sandi learned bowlines and navigation updates while largely observing and relying on Dee and Allie’s expertise. We anchored at the Ortona Lock & Dam dolphins, where challenging conditions reinforced how much we depended on our experienced crew to complete the journey safely.
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Day 1: We’re Finally Underway
Read more: Day 1: We’re Finally UnderwayOn July 6, 2025, we began our journey from Marco Island to Naples, a short 16-nautical-mile first leg of our trip. After three attempts, we successfully set anchor for the night, but problems quickly emerged. The boat’s batteries failed to support onboard systems, causing voltage to drop, and while the generator was needed to resolve it, it refused to start. In the Florida heat, we faced discomfort and early mechanical challenges, marking an unexpected but real start to our voyage.
Explore more of our journey, stories, and updates in the Blog Archive—where past posts and milestones are saved for you to browse at your own pace.