Don't you want to go somewhere new?

That is the question that I get asked more than any other when I tell people we are going/went sailing. And my answer is yes! But there is so much more to it than that. So here it is folks, the why's behind our annual British Virgin Islands (BVI's) escape.

Looking back 91/2 years ago, Jaren and I had just gotten married and we were up at the cabin in Broken Bow. It was cold outside, I don't know why I remember that, but I do. I was asking Ron about their family and he was willing giving me answers. I come from a family of 7 children, spread out over a number of years, and not all of us are close. In fact, some of us are not close at all. How very sad! In the short time I had known Jaren's family I had noticed that he had wonderful relationships with all of his siblings, even Jake, who is like 11 or 12 years younger than he is. I wanted to know how they did it so I was asking. Was it just pure coincidence that they were all close and most of us weren't or was there more to it than that? So Ron began telling me about the cabin, about how they decided to build it to have a place to come to as a family. To get away from the world, the friends, the school functions, to get away from everything and just be a family. There was more to that conversation but that really stuck with me. I wanted that! Jaren and I both did! We have been blessed to have access to that cabin to take our children to. We are more grateful for that than words can explain. But we wanted our own thing, our own unique family escape. We decided on sailing. Did you know you can charter sail boats in the Caribbean? In Alaska? In Tahiti? New Zealand? The East Coast? Brazil? China? Italy? The list is endless! And what a perfect escape! YES! We were both excited and we loved our little ten year plan. After lots of research and one full weeklong live aboard training class Jaren and I were officially certified sailors. Or were we? We got certified in January and decided to go back as soon as possible so we wouldn't forget the things we had learned.

A few things you should know about the BVI's. THEY ARE SPECIAL. They are beautiful, untouched from most of the world and drowning in awesome pirate history. But that set aside, they are relatively speaking, all close together. It's almost like a really big lake. People who hear of us doing this express fear of us drowning! If they would only just try it! Just come and see they would understand that drowning would be the least of their fears for the week. Sun burned, yeah, worry about that one. Too much sand in your swim suit, yup, gotta worry about that too. Drowning because the boat sank? Floating around in the middle of the ocean with no land or help on any side (think cast away), these are not concerns! At least not in the BVI's. IT's THE PLACE TO GO for people to learn to sail for a reason. And that is exactly what we have been doing. Wanting to learn. Wanting to get comfortable with sailing.  And this year was the year, this was the year Jaren and I decided it was time to branch out. We loved our trip! We will always love the BVI's and willingly take anyone with us who wants to go sailing (hint, hint). But for us, for sure for me, I am excited to branch out to new lands, longer sails, rougher water and pick up some new sailing skills along the way. So even though our next trip may be back down to the islands you need not ask us if were sure we want to go sailing again. We're sure. There is a reason to our sailing madness and one day when we get good enough to head up to Alaska and explore or head to The Mediterranean and eat delicious food you will understand why we spent so long familiarizing ourselves with the world of sailing. For now enjoy the pics from our latest trip to a place that's beginning to feel like home for us.