So I woke up 4 days ago with a desire for the sand, the surf and the salty warm breezes of somewhere far away... I know this is a dream for many, but very few people act on their dreams! I am not one of those people...
For those who do not know me, I have always been adventurous (some might say impulsive) in all aspects of life. When I was 25 years old (with out any real boating experience) I decided to buy a 38 foot Motor Yacht docked in Lake Michigan. Don't get excited - it was a 1969 Pacemaker with a mahogany wood hull in needs of lots of work. I then proceeded to live on this boat for the next 18 months doing minor repairs and updates before being forced to put it into drydock for some major hull refinishing. So, I am sure by now you are asking yourself "what does any of this have to do with visiting Exuma"?
It was my dream back then (and ever since) to someday buy a boat and just sail off to wherever the wind will take me. We all know life has other plans and this dream has yet to become my reality - but I have not lost hope. When I woke up on Tuesday it was the idea of this dream that haunted me. Well, a couple hours later and a bit of google searching and I found the perfect compromise! A link to a VRBO listing that read: "Live the boat life over the dreamy waters of Exuma Bahamas!"
It took me another 2 hours to look into last minute airfare deals, confirm the dates for the sailboat, order a new swimsuit (love Amazon 2 day shipping) and have everything booked to head off on a quick 4 night adventure. Due to airfare costs and flight availability, I could not leave the same day. However, I think 9 days from a dream of sand and surf to arriving in paradise is an acceptable waiting time :)
Ellouise and I will be spending these four days aboard a 30ft, monohull sailboat that is "on the hook" (attached to a floating Bouey) just off the shores of Georgetown in Exuma. This location provides great shelter as it sits in a narrow water line between Georgetown on the main island of Exuma and a small out island called Stocking Island. The boat we will be staying on features a small galley to prepare meals, solar electricity, satellite internet, small head with shower, sleeping room for 5 and of course water in all directions - including up since they are calling for rain all four days. It should help me see what it would really be like to live on a small boat - even if for just a couple days.
We don't have any set plans while we are visiting other than waking up each day and seeing what the islands have to offer. We do know there are lots of great activities like: Swimming with the Pigs, Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, ATV and Buggy Tours and many more great options.
I am very excited over the choice to book this last minute get-away. Sometimes you just have to take some risks and be spontaneous. Life is about the moments you experience and you should never pass on an opportunity to create a moment! As my daughters friend likes to say - "Always be Living Your Best Life"...
Want to know more about our trip, Exuma, or what its like to "live a life" on the water? Be sure to follow our blog as we will be trying to do short updates each day with any cool and interesting things we experience!
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