How did we get here?

Ben and I began scheming our exit strategy back in 2003, shortly after I started ER veterinary work at Animal Emergency and Referral Center (now VCA Veterinary Specialty Center). Funny how hard work gets you thinking about vacation (insert tropical backdrop). So, we hunkered down to pay down debt, buy a boat, and grow a nest egg to sustain us once unemployed.


After a year's search, we came across our Ross 40, built in 1987 in New Zealand. With only two of these on the west coast, we found ourselves on a plane to LA to check her out in September 2004. She's a roomy racer-cruiser, but had only been used to race until now. She was seaworthy and well maintained but spare in the way of live-aboard amenities. We took her out for a test sail, and we were smitten.

The past 3 years have seen us scraping our knuckles, bruising our knees, bumping our heads, sustaining small lacerations, bickering, nagging, and getting married (not to mention getting washed aground when our anchor gave way). And yet, here we are - almost done getting Pangaea ship-shape for our needs, and almost ready to shove off for tropical destinations. Southward ho!