Sail Far Live Free

"If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins." - Benjamin Franklin It's a new year, but I'm not one who typically buys into the New Year's resolution hype or the rhythm of starting something over every January. Sure, I could stand to drop a few pounds and curb a habitat or two this coming year, but I don't feel the need to proclaim it to myself or anyone else as Ryan Seacrest wishes us all a happy new year at 12:00:01am. But this year is different. I've set some goals for this blog and am resolved to finish 2013 several steps closer to living a sailor's life than I did in the year I'm leaving behind. Nope, 2013 will not be the year my family and I sail away, but I'm confident the sailing and cruising we do will continue to be meaningful and fulfilling. However, when I'm honest with myself, I know that my passion for sailing and a watery life is sometimes being held back because reason is holding the reins. Maybe Mr. Franklin woul

I'm continually racing to catch my mind after fall haul-out as it sprints away from another oncoming winter. S/V Island Bound is safely resting on her jackstands and the winterization tasks are complete. The winterization of my soul begins with dreaming of sailing adventure. So I figured this is a good time to share one of my favorite "dreamer" quotes: "All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible." The quote is from T.E. Lawrence, better known to some as "Lawrence of Arabia". The British army officer likely didn't have sailing on his mind when he made the statement in his autobiography, Seven Pillars of Wisdom . At the time Lawrence was serving as a liaison officer with rebel forces during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks o