Welcome to our Serendipity Sailing Blog.
Who are we?
A Guy, a Girl, their dog and a sailboat.
Brian Liddy - 43 yr old sailor. After working in IT and Consulting for 17+ years, I have taken a 3-4 year sabbatical to change careers. Originally an Army brat from a farm in Adamsville, TN then attending Univ. of Memphis with a degree in International Relations I really enjoyed traveling the world until settling in Atlanta ~14 yrs ago. Been sailing ~15 years and boating since I was ten. Just got certified as a Sailing Instructor by American Sailing Association (ASA) to teach 5 classes (Basic Keelboat, Coastal Cruising, Advanced Coastal Cruising, Bareboat Chartering and Coastal Navigation). A Jack of All Trades with loves of writing, poetry, book collecting, old Mustangs, and barbecuing.
Raquel Hernandez - 44 yr old first mate. She's originally from Austin, TX and after living in Atlanta for 14 years, she STILL considers herself a Texan. She's been working for the same freight forwarder in all those 14 years and just quite her job at the end of October to take a leap of faith and make this adventure. One of our first dates, just over 5 years ago, was a day sail on Lake Lanier. We've been exploring new places together ever since.
Shiloh - 7 year old Golden Retriever. He knows how to "Tack" and climb the swim ladder on his own. He loves fetching, swimming, chewing bones, shedding and chasing squirrels.
"Serendipity" - Purchased on Sept. 2, 2015 in Tampa, this 1995 Hunter Legend 35.5 sailboat was quickly upgraded. I created a wish list in 2014 with most of her qualities as well as wrote a poem called - Golden Threads/Serendipity and after a quick search found her on Craigslist. 12 foot beam, 4.5 ft draft, bulb wing keel, A/C, Fridge, 27 HP Yanmar 3GM30F Diesel Engine, Stern Perch Seats, 55' mast, Windlass with a dinghy and dinghy motor.
When and where are we cruising?
Our plan is to leave Tampa, FL December 1st 2015 once Hurricane Season has ended and head south to the Keys.
Visiting Fort Meyers/Naples area for Christmas with the Ojedas and then Key West for New Year's Eve.
January 2016 - Florida Keys
Mid-January - Key Largo for Scuba Diving
March/April - Exuma Islands, Eleuthra, Berry Islands, Spanish Wells, Bimini
May - Back in the Keys then up west side to Tampa
June - Panhandle of Florida ending in Pensacola, FL and lower Alabama area safe and sound by the time the next Hurricane season begins...
Why?
I've taken 6+ sailing classes and finished Instructor Qualification Clinic (IQC) in Spring of 2015. After spending 6 years on Lake Lanier on "Wind Dancer" our 1991 28' Hunter and chartering in the San Juan Islands (twice), chartering in the BVIs multiple times, sailing St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Marten & St. Barths, and the Abacos, Bahamas in 2014, we've decided to strike out on a six month cruise and possibly live on the boat for a year until we get jobs in 2016. I spent a month of solitude, meditation and silence on Lake Lanier in Oct/Nov 2014 and basically got an epiphany knowing that there's no time like the present to go cruising. Once we get back I can get my Lakes, Near Shore & Offshore Coast Guard Captain's License and Raquel will use her newly acquired U.S. Customs Broker License to land a job on the coast. (Unless we just keep going to Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands)
Remember - "Keep it small, keep it simple, and go soon!"
