Back in the day, I sat at a desk. Much of this time was spent obsessively devouring other people’s sailing blogs and fantasizing about how I could do the same working hard.

In addition to the gorgeous pictures (which I downloaded, cropped those suckers out of and photoshopped myself into), I really loved learning about all the practical things I’d need to know when, I too, was able to toss off the docks lines.

So, me being the totally selfless, generous and hard-working gal that I am, I thought I’d share these beauts with you here. Some of these folks I’ve had the pleasure to anchor with and some others I’m still stalking. Enjoy!

• Interview with a Cruiser Project – This blog was an invaluable resource for us when we were prepping to go cruising. I especially loved the financial breakdowns and what cruisers did and did not need to go cruising.
• Newly Salted – Run by the same crew of Interview with a Cruiser Project, Newly Salted gives a glipse from those of us out less than a year. I’m looking forward to getting my interview in!
• The Slapdash – I first learned of these two circumnavigators during our search for a boat. We were scouring the internets looking for monohulls all the while being thoroughly entertained by their highjinks across the globe and inspired by their huzpah– afterall, they were also a young couple and – can you believe it? – they had even less experience than we did! “Surely we could pull it off if they were, right?”. One day, I thought: “hmmm, I wonder what kind of boat they’re in?” and the rest was history. Gems, unite!
• Sailing Simplicity – Teresa is just so great: a solo sailer, young, open, smart, strong and I had a special affinity for this article of hers this summer while I was a singlehanding.
• Controlled Jibe – Another young couple, taking a break, making a choice to be out on the water, together, with their dog. I narrowly missed meeting up with them in Austin when we move happened to be on land – que lastima! They’re on a pocket cruiser in the Sea of Cortez.
• Windtraveler – Yet another young couple who sailed their first boat, Rasmus, from the Great Lakes to Grenada, stopped, had a baby and are now on their second boat. Brittney gives me blog envy with her all-too-regular posts, but I don’t hold it against her 😉
• Waterlog – These two young scoundrels, Jess y James, hailing from England aboard S/V Adamastor (and evil weather God off the Cape of Good Hope), have become dear friends of ours. We’ve introduced them to the wonders of queso (James: “It’s like low-class fondue; I like it!”; they’ve shared their G&T’s with us. James, Damon and Kemah have regular swimming races as Jess and I dally about making Excel spreadsheets about the best place to have an anchor baby. Jess and I also have a similar work schedule as “slack bloggers”. We can’t wait to buddy-boat with them to the San Blas. Cheers, mates!
• Gone Bambu – Oh, Gayle & Darrell of S/V Gone Bambu, we love you so. They came to Panama by way of San Francisco, but from the moment I saw Gayle in her cowboy hat and Darrel in his Texas flag dress shirt at Rana Azul, I knew Bocas was in for trouble! Gayle and I loved to cook all things Southern (“just add sumor cheese and that breadfruit’ll be alright!”), paint our nails together (something luxurious on a boat” and “rescue” abandoned cayucos. I can’t thank Darrell enough for all his help as my surrogate husband while Damon was away. As these two self-professed “bad sailors” make their way to Europe I continue to think of them so fondly and wish them “Fair Winds!”. I can’t wait to see your “front porch” on the Med!
• Watertracks – Bill & Catherine of S/V Tribe are travelling with their two amazing sons, Cooper and Carter. We first met them in The Bahamas during a study session on how to get to Central America. While we high-tailed it to Panama, they took the slow-route through Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. We’ve been swapping tips ever since an I look forward to following in their “Watertracks”.
• Bettie del Mar – Yet another great young cruising couple. Vlad & Attila (isn’t that just perfect?) are also travelling with a pet aboard – a HEDGEHOG!!! It wasn’t long enough that we cruised with them in Bocas. But, we hope to meet up with them in the San Blas as the make their way around to the Pacific. BTW – Attila joins Brittney as another over-achieving blogger. Y’all should have a blog-off ala the Sharks and the Jets!
• Bumfuzzle – If you guessed Bumfuzzle was yet another young cruising couple, you’d be right! They circumnavigated, kept track of what they spent (which was sooo helpful to me!), now live in Pacific Mexico with their two young’ns and are generally keeping the dream alive. Best piece of advice from Bumfuzzle: if you want more free time off work and your money to go further, live somewhere cheaper. Like on a sailboat? Well, duh!
• Zero to Cruising – Can you guess what I’m gonna say here? YUP! One more couple under the age of 60 who is living the dream. They’ve got tons of posts up all the time (Brittney? Attila? Challenge?) and it’s no wonder ‘cuz they’re SUPER-active! If you’re looking for advice on how to not gain weight on your cruise, look no further!

• Over Yonderlust – Hailing from Austin, Texas, but more recently “The World”, Erika & Shaun and I have even had a chance to grab a beer in between our travels. These two kooks are a hoot! And, slowly but surely, I’m hoping to learn everything she knows about running a great travel blog.
• A Life Sold – Ian Usher sold his life. Seriously. Now he live in Bocas and I just adore him. Hopefully, he’ll be joining us aboard Mother Jones for some sailing with guests this November. We’ll see!
• Keep Tabs On Sam – Oh! Sweet, sweet Sam! I had the pleasure of welcoming Sam & her partner in crime, Jen, to Cerro Valero down in Dolphin Bay. You may remember, this is the house we “sat” when we got the bright idea to sell out and move aboard. These two amazing young women were an absolute delight! I’m in awe of the adventures they’ve already taken on and can’t wait to see what they’ll do next!