Gen X foodies learning to sail
This trip was born from a sudden change in plans three weeks before departure: our original 41-foot monohull was replaced by a massive Moorings 5000 catamaran. A whirlwind scramble to find crew commenced, and within a week, against the odds, we assembled a five-person team ready to embrace the unknown. What follows is Part 2 …
Continue reading "A Grenada Sailing Adventure – Part 2: Island Rhythms & Safety Drills"
This trip was born from a sudden change in plans three weeks before departure: our original 41-foot monohull was replaced by a massive Moorings 5000 catamaran. A whirlwind scramble to find crew commenced. Within a week, against the odds, we assembled a five-person team ready to embrace the unknown. My sister Maria and her friends, …
Continue reading "A Grenada Sailing Adventure – Part 1: Finding Our Sea Legs"
Our journey toward becoming sailors started five years ago, fueled by a dream to retire onto a sailboat. But nothing could have prepared me for the sheer wonder of our Grenada expedition. The trip was born from a whirlwind two-week scramble after a sudden change in plans: our original 41-foot monohull was replaced by a …
Continue reading "Spindrifters: A Grenada Sailing Adventure"
It’s time for the next step in our journey, and we’re glad to have you along! After a successful BVI trip, and an amazing Lake Michigan season, we’re ready for our next challenge. We’re cruising the Grenadines in January! While we’ve loved having company on our trips, this one will be just for us: we’re …
Casting Off I feel so good about this sailing season, really proud. We’ve learned so much, grown more confident, and weathered the things that Lake Michigan threw at us, from choppy waves to the occasional small craft advisory. After a season so rewarding, I really wanted calm water and good weather for our final outing, …
We Plan to Float, and Float the Plan. I have to admit, for me, "floating" implies the least active of all water activities. It’s kind of the bare minimum, especially if you’re on a boat. Floating is job one for a boat, and it is a pass/fail exercise. But for purposes of this discussion, a …
Continue reading "Setting Sail Safely: A Float Plan is Non-Negotiable"
Winds up to 22 knots, a reef that wasn’t there, and the quiet thrill of doing something you once thought was too much — our second crossing of Lake Michigan was equal parts challenge and growth. This is the story of how our comfort zone expanded, one gust at a time.
It happens occasionally that we turn to the “Savor” aspect of this blog. Today is one of those days. We took a trip to the Big Easy and it was a feast for the senses! And well, we did a lot of "savoring." New Orleans offered unforgettable experiences: The bold flavors of Cajun cuisine, getting …
Continue reading "An Anniversary Odyssey: Our Trip to New Orleans"
Kent and I are excited to return for our third sailing season with SailTime Chicago aboard Red Sky, our Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349. We've enjoyed memorable moments, from hosting family during events like the Chicago Air and Water Show to crossing Lake Michigan. We're eager for more adventures and updates in 2025!
We hauled our little 14-foot fishing boat out to Davenport, Iowa, where we put in on the Mississippi River at the Veterans Memorial Park: Boat Ramp. From there, we navigated to the Locks & Dam 15, Rock Island, Illinois. Seeing the Mississippi River from the water, in our little fishing boat, gives you a whole different perspective. The scale of the river, the currents, the tugboats pushing barges laden with goods… it's really something to behold. And the locks and dams! Such incredible feats of engineering!
SAIL & SAVOR BLOG 