2003 Holiday Letter

 

Season's greetings to our family and friends,

We hope that 2003 brought health and prosperity to all. In last year's letter, we hinted at forthcoming changes. These changes did indeed come to pass in 2003.
"We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails." Bertha Calloway
  As sailors know, sometimes you set a course for a particular destination and then, just when you're ready to relax and enjoy a cold one, the winds change. You must make a decision: adjust your sails and continue toward your destination or get blown off course and end up some place you don't want to go. In 2003, we trimmed our sails and plotted a new course to reach our goal of going cruising.

"I don't think I like what I got 'cause I think it's got me. I guess I just woke up from my American dream." Larry Joe Taylor, First Row Third Coast
 

One sunny afternoon about a year and a half ago, we relaxed on the patio of our "American dream" house, enjoying the peaceful Hill Country view that stretched before us. We reluctantly admitted that, although we were immensely blessed to be there, this was not our dream. And we weren't getting any younger!

So last spring we sold our home, the sports car, and half our possessions. We moved into an apartment that is less than half the size of our house. Surprisingly, we don't miss all that "stuff." We've traded it for warm breezes filling our sails, sunsets melting into sand dunes, dolphin surfing alongside our boat, and the freedom to pursue a dream.
"My home ain't got a front yard. My home's got a starboard side."
"All in all, I'm doing pretty good since I hit my Third Coast." Larry Joe Taylor
  Speaking of freedom, in the summer we finally escaped from the boat yard where Caribbean Soul had spent eight months and we moved her to the Corpus Christi Municipal Marina. With no yard to mow or big house to maintain, we are now free to spend our weekends on the boat. Although the first month was challenging (hurricanes and thieves--see the stories on our Web site), we have come to regard the "Third Coast" as home. We plan to put Caribbean Soul on the market in early 2004. Once sold, we'll look for a larger boat that is outfitted for offshore sailing.

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."
Henry David Thoreau

We begin 2004 with a renewed commitment to get "out there" and "live the dream." While we plan for the future, we remind ourselves that the journey is the destination. We hope that each of you finds joy in 2004 and the fulfillment of your dreams.

Nick, Deanna, and Dakota