"That's My Dream!"

Steve and I were having lunch at the Green Parrot in Nassau today. The restaurant tables are on a patio overlooking Nassau Harbor, the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island and dozens of sailboats anchored directly in front of us. We had a great view of the boat traffic throughout the harbor and in particular the traffic of the 'cruisers' (those who live aboard the sailboats) as their dingys travelled from the boats and deposited them at the Green Parrot for a Sunday afternoon drink or meal. As we were settling in to our burgers and fries, a woman rushed by us to lean on the wall overlooking the harbor and peer at the sailboats. "That's my dream," she sighed to her friend, "To live out there, on a sailboat, doesn't that look wonderful?"

Four years ago, that was us. We were at the Castaways Restaurant in Clearwater, Florida, on the patio watching the sunset. Silouetted by the sunset in front of us were some sailboats anchored in the harbor and we watched as people travelled by dingy from their boats to the restaurant and back again. As we watched the sun set, we agreed that living aboard a sailboat was the lifestyle we wanted. Two years later we anchored our sailboat in Clearwater Harbor and rode our dingy to have dinner at the Castaway. We sat on the patio and watched our boat silouetted by the setting sun. And now we're in the Bahamas.

Once you are clear about what you want to do, you'll be amazed at how quickly you can make your dreams come true.