Guest Blog from Lauren Christensen

My trip to Antigua was the trip of a lifetime. Being with Glenn and Michele and being able to see their dream in motion (literally) was something I will never forget. So much of their experience, as well as mine, was not just where you are but whom you meet along the way. I loved meeting their sailor friends: Jeff and Una, as well as Melanie and Cliff, and how hospitable they all are toward each other. Not only did I meet fellow cruisers but also some very interesting locals.

Within the first 24 hours of our trip Michele had taken us to see a local artists gallery. Instantly I feel in love with her work and not only met her but was invited to her house to see her studio and how she works. She explained every step of the process from digging the clay herself on the other side of the island, to pugging the clay, and finally glazing it. Her name is "Nancy Nicholson" and I defiantly recommend a trip to Antigua just to see and purchase her work.

I also got a very realistic view on what living on a boat is all about. Glenn and Michele were very hospitable and wanted us to feel at home. Unlike a home on land there are "procedures" to life on a boat. Our first lesson was how to use the potty, followed by a small lesson in water conservation. To Emily and I using the least amount of water possible turned into a game. We learned how to brush our teeth in a cup and not to stack dirty dishes (why make the other side dirty if its not already). It turns out our efforts worked because for 4 people in 10 days we used less than one tank of water! Emily and I also scrubbed the "green beard" along the water line, scraped barnacles off of the bottom, and cleaned the dingy. We sailed in 30-knot winds with 6-foot seas and experienced a rolly anchorage.

Living on a boat and being detached from the crazy pace of my normal life really helped me to prioritize what is important to me. Glenn and Michele have demonstrated that following and achieving your dreams is truly possible and I am grateful that I was able to experience a small portion of this with them.

Lauren Christensen