Welcome

...to our new blog.

This blog will encapsulate our sailing adventures. We'll start along the East Coast of the US and Canada. However, as the name implies, out intentions are to cross the Atlantic Ocean and explore distant lands. To begin, we will sail to the Azores Islands of Portugal, then north to Ireland, Scotland, and more. At first glance, the title for this blog would seem to be descriptive of those plans.

However, the name has a deeper meaning to us. You see, Distant Horizon is the name of our boat. ...and just to add a little confusion to the mix, it is actually the name of both of our boats. I just couldn't bring myself to serialize the second boat's name with roman numerals. To be compliant and consistent with United States Coast Guard (USCG) rules, each boat has a separate Port of Call.

Our first Distant Horizon is a 1977 Columbia Payne 9.6 with a Port of Call in Fair Haven, NY. From there she sails the Great Lakes, specifically the Great Lake Ontario. This includes the Thousand Islands region of the St. Lawrence River and many trips to Canada. Over the years I have been refitting her for a transatlantic voyage. Since she is not ready at this time, we have purchased a second boat.

1977 Columbia Payne 9.6

The second Distant Horizon is a 1982 Baba Flying Dutchman 35 with a Port of Call in Syracuse, NY. Rigged as a cutter, she was designed specifically as a cruiser capable of crossing oceans. This spring (2014) we will take possession of her in the lower Chesapeake Bay area. The reason for purchasing another boat, like one isn't enough, is because she is ready to sail away. At this time in our lives, we want to take advantage of our current good health.

And so, this blog will begin with the journeys of Distant Horizon, in the Lower Chesapeake Bay, sailing north to Baltimore, MD where my daughter Brynn lives. But, I am getting ahead of myself. There will be many stops in between, and that is where this blog really begins.

If you choose to follow this blog, feel free to leave comments. We will respond as time permits. After all, the internet should be an interactive experience.