It was bound to happen sooner or later. The bittersweet time in which we would need to turn our cute little sailboat around and start making the sail back to Florida.
And that time has come for the three of us.
Oliver is probably the most excited to return to his awesome backyard with countless lizards to hunt, along with endless unplanned potty breaks that definitely do NOT require the use of a dinghy.
Jer and I, however, are a bundle of mixed emotions.
All along, we knew we would be back in Florida by Hurricane Season 2015. That was the plan. This life afloat was never a forever for us.
Luckily, home is beautiful Naples, Florida. We can’t complain much, can we? I mean, lots of folks travel from far and wide to vacation in our very hometown. It really is paradise, and we would be fools not to think the same. We own a cute home near the beach. I have a beloved photography business. And, honestly, we enjoy land life just as much as this simple boat life we’ve been living for the past year.
We have lots of grand plans for our future and a family. What’s great about this sailing journey is that it’s really just one small notch in our grand adventure at life. And what a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t happened yet.
^^a big thanks to Jer’s dad for snapping these photos last month!^^
Of course, we are a little sad that our time floating around from island to island is winding down, yet totally excited to get back to our family and friends (and, let’s not lie, lots of life’s little luxuries like long hot showers, flush toilets, etcetera etcetera).
We’ve got a big haul ahead of us to get ourselves and this sailboat all the way back to Florida, and we still plan to spend some quality time in the Bahamas, where we will hopefully get to visit a few of our all-time favorite spots and maybe even some new ones too!
Wanna know the best news of all about having to turn around? After all this time, we finally get to sail DOWN WIND!! Halle-freaking-lujah! :)))
>>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing, as we cruise the Caribbean. …Learn more about us and our sailing + cruising adventures.
Hey Kim and Jereme! My fiancée and I have been following your blog for the past year or so as we prepped to take a similar trip (sailing from the Great Lakes to the Bahamas) and first I have to thank you for making such a beautiful, entertaining and super helpful blog! We often checked yours for tips as we made decisions along the way (“what did Laho do for solar panel mounts?!” etc) and had been hoping that our paths might cross at some point. We are still in the Bahamas and will be here for at least another 6-8 weeks then back to Florida and up from there. We’d love to meet up and have some drinks and finally feet you in person! We’ll keep an eye out for you, and hopefully see you later this spring. Safe sailing 🙂
Caitie and Mark
s/v TARA
http://Www.optrop.com
Looks like we may pass each other in the Florida Straits. We are heading up the east coast to the Chesapeake Bay area for hurricane season. We’ll probably get underway in April/May and take our time getting there. In October/November we’ll head south the the Caribbean.
Thanks for doing the blog. We have made a list of places to visit with some of the postings.
Turn around is hard but, think of all the nice comforts you will enjoy once land life resumes. No doubt you’ll appreciate the little things that others take for granted.
Mark and Cindy
s/v Cream Puff
http://www.creampuff.us
If you can, go to the Abacos. Hope Town, Powell Cay and Double Breathed were amazing! May be too far north for you, but so beautiful 🙂
i just found your blog a few weeks ago linked from another sailing blog and we have enjoyed following your journey and all of your incredible pictures. We are planning for a year long sail in about 5 years when our toddlers are a little older. My husband is Bahamian so if you need any help planning your stops in the Bahamas, shoot us an email and we’d be happy to help!
Say it isn’t so! 😉 …Is this move back to land a forever thing or will you be back to sailing after hurricane season?
My hubs & I have really enjoyed your blog & it has been such an inspiration to us! We will miss your updates & gorgeous photos, but wish you both the best of luck on your next endeavors!
I have been following your blog for awhile now because you are living my dream. I am sad to hear it is time to head home.
I see that you love the Bahamas and I just went there in November and am going back in July. I loved it. From reading your blog, I know that we have similar tastes in what we like in a beach. Quiet…hidden…secluded… Do you have any secret spots on Grand Bahama Island that you would be willing to tel me about?
Safe travels!
Congrats on chasing down dreams wherever they lead! It’s been great getting to know the 3 of you on this awesome blog of yours. Keep sharing your adventures land or sea!
Congratulations on living your dream you two!
Now get cracking on those wedding plans:) Do I see a boat wedding on the water with the fam in the future? I can picture Oliver in a little doggie tux.
I have thoroughly enjoyed extending mine and Cole’s week in Long Island by following your blog.
Hopefully one day we’ll meet again on some awesome Bahamian beach!
Cheers-
[…] that we’ve turned around and are sailing back west, it’s back to making miles and sailing on the regular. And […]
[…] everyone’s sweet comments here on the blog and over on Facebook when we posted our little “turnaround” notice made us feel so so great! Seriously. You guys are the best. […]
What an amazing adventure you guys, enjoy the rest of your trip Northwardsish. I can’t wait for the book!!!
I love this website and the photos are awesome! You guys have inspired me to buy an Endeavour as well. I plan to sell my MacGregor trailer sailer this summer and buy something similar to what you guys have. I like the 37 B plan layout with the enclosed quarter berth. Although I don’t see a lot of listings for them online…. Have fun on your trip.