We have really tried to spend a lot of time with friends and family over the last year. Our dearest hope is that many of our friends and relatives will come to join us for extended periods on the boat. That said, we realize that setting off on a journey around the globe will separate us from the people we love most to some degree.

Our friends Atsuko and Razmig recently returned from Sudan and while we missed them when they were gone, the amazing stories they had to tell were well worth it.

Reflecting upon this has helped us to continue to be excited about our upcoming travels even though we will miss all of our friends and family so much.