June 29, 2026: We made it, and so far, so good!

Getting here has already been an adventure.

Picture this: the four of us trying to haul twelve 60-pound checked bags, four completely maxed-out carry-ons, four personal items...and, of course, Cocoa...into our hotel. The tires on the luggage cart flattened. Henry’s growth spurt came just in time. A year ago, I don’t know how we would have done this move without his muscle.

Huge shout-out to the Jillsons for helping us move our entire life. They moved 20 bags from our house a few weeks ago to their house for storage, and then on to the hotel Friday night. Matt and Henry got quite the workout shuttling all those bags from the curb to check-in and then, after landing, through customs in Grenada.

Cocoa was the star of the show. She was an absolute angel in the airport and slept through both flights.

During the flight, I kept looking out the window at the ocean, and it honestly bent my brain to realize that, in less than a year, we'll be sailing across those same waters to get back home. It felt exhilarating.

I don't quite know how to explain it, but the thought of being just a tiny speck in the middle of the ocean gives me this incredible sense of peace and freedom. I've always loved those moments when nature reminds me how magnificent she is and how privileged I am to be a part of this beautiful planet.

Seeing our boat for the first time was even better than I imagined. She is everything I hoped she'd be, and more. All the things I thought I would love about her, I already do. I love the layout. I love the size. She has been meticulously cared for, and it shows. Everywhere you look, you can see and feel the pride and care her previous owners poured into her.

On Saturday, we arrived at the boat planning to simply take a look, and then go grab some food, and get a good night's sleep.

Instead...we immediately got to work.

We are all so excited to make her our home.

Thankfully, we have a small apartment at the marina, which has been perfect for storing all our belongings, cooling off in the AC, and getting a good night’s sleep.

Over the last 48 hours, we've cleaned every corner of this boat. There is storage everywhere, in the floors, under the beds, and inside the bilges. It's amazing to buy a boat that's truly ready to sail, complete with nearly everything you need...along with plenty of things you definitely don't.

Today's funniest find? Henry discovered a jar of Alfredo sauce that expired in 2014.

We're slowly learning how everything works. We've mastered the toilets (always an important milestone on a boat!) and are beginning to understand the various systems. Since we're still connected to shore power, we haven't had to think much about energy management yet, although we can't run the air conditioning. That lesson is coming soon.

We've found a beautiful trail where we walk Cocoa each day overlooking the bay. We've also already made use of our first aid kit, not for anything serious, just plenty of scrapes and one memorable cactus encounter.

Last night we had our very first dinner aboard.

Very fancy.

Pasta for everyone...and a box of gluten-free crackers that I hauled all the way from the States.

Today we walked to the grocery store and picked up the basics: apples, peanut butter, carrots, potatoes, milk, cheese, butter, bread, cereal, pasta, rice, and good ol Ramen and Kraft mac and cheese.

As expected, gluten-free options are basically nonexistent. I've been pretty hungry since we arrived, but I'm sure I'll figure it out. Yesterday my usual lunch salad was replaced with a can of creamed corn and some green beans we found on the boat. Today, I think I ate half a jar of peanut butter.

Tomorrow at 2:30, we're scheduled to "splash" = the boat goes into the water!

After that, we'll stay in a slip at the marina while we finish moving aboard and learn how to operate all of the boat's systems. We still have so much to learn: energy management, monitoring batteries, conserving water, making water with the watermaker (which requires running the generator), reviewing safety procedures, and countless other things.

Each day, we've also been taking time to reflect on our crew values together. We've all had moments of feeling overwhelmed, and that's okay; it’s expected. This is a lot. Every one of us has already been stretched outside our comfort zone.

Every muscle in my body hurts. Cleaning out a boat is like doing yoga and power lifting at the same time.  You need to bend, twist, and squeeze around small spaces while lifting some very heavy things.

We really haven't seen much of Grenada yet. Our focus has been getting our new home ready so that we can eventually slow down and enjoy it.

On our walk to the market we passed lots of stray dogs and goats, all of whom were pretty adorable. Everyone we've met so far has been incredibly kind.

There are several other families here in the boatyard, but they all seem just as busy as we are, trying to finish everything before launch day. We haven't really had time to meet anyone yet, but I'm sure we will.

The previous owners left behind enough fishing gear to stock a small tackle shop. Henry has been in all his glory organizing it all. Some of the lures are practically the size of his head.

We also have a new dinghy on order. The kids can't wait to get it in the water so they can fish and tube. Henry is also on the lookout for a surfboard.

I can't wait for my first open-water swim.

It rains every day here, and honestly, it feels wonderful. We're already getting into the routine of closing the hatches just before the rain starts and collecting rainwater.

It still doesn't quite feel real. For the last 3 weeks, I have been full-court press trying to make sure we have everything we need, move out of our house, pack up our life, get everyone’s medical care and schooling in order, and make sure everyone at my work has what they need… It was far more rushed than I wanted. I was still frantically trying to pack our bags in our hotel room at 11 pm, before our 6am flight.  There were several things that were on my list, and I simply couldn’t get to them.  But I’ve done my best, and it will be okay.

We are here, we are happy, we are safe. Little by little, bag by bag and lesson by lesson, this boat is becoming our home.