From Cuba to MN

It has been almost a year since my last post. Around this time last year Jon and I were in Time Out Boat Yard on St. Martin working on Tarka after the unfortunate beaching incident. Since then a lot has happened.

I love our constantly changing adventurous life style but currently I am enjoying it more than ever since Jon has officially applied to grad programs across the country. He is pursuing a PhD in social work and will begin classes in the fall. So obviously we will be selling Tarka and paying rent somewhere. (where we will come up w that kind of cash every month is beyond me. ;-P) Anyway let me recap on some of the highlights of last February thru August.

I'll begin with a spontaneous 10 day climbing trip to Cuba. Our friends had been encouraging us to join them and at the last minute we decided it was not something we could miss. Our first three days we spent in Havana and that was about all I could stand. Constantly being harassed and cheated gets old. From there we traveled to Viñales for some climbing. The small town vibe suited us much better and we found bikes to rent, horses to ride, climbs to climb, coconuts to drink, and cigars to smoke. A very cool experience although truth be told, I wouldn't go back. Let me just say that their communism doesn't seem to work and I don't think much of the tourist euros are finding their way to the peoples pockets.

After Cuba my brother Josh joined us for some sailing in the BVI's. With his help we flew the spinnaker for the first time and made our way to Culebra, one of the Spanish Islands off of Puerto Rico. Around this time our friends Adam and Kelly invited us to crew for their trip to the Bahamas. Again, how could we pass that up?! So after dropping off Josh we hurried to Virgin Gorda where we hauled out for the season before embarking on an unbelievable and unforgettable trip up through the Bahamas with two of the most amazing people we've ever met.

From there we had an extended layover in New York where we house-sat for our friends Annie and Matias. Such a treat for us to explore such an incredible city and see such wonderful friends. xoxo

After New York we split for MN to (help) plan and participate in our wedding! We were lucky enough to have our St. Thomas friends Matt and Jodi in Duluth (Duluth natives) and took the opportunity to join them, along w Jodi's brother and sister-in-law, for a canoe trip in the Boundary Waters. Such a special place, such great people. Definitely worth the longest, coldest motorcycle ride on a dirt rode we have ever had. Yup, we'd do it all over again for a trip like that :)

After that we tied the knot! It was one of those perfect fairy tale kind of days.     

Hiking to some climbs with Ro, Joe, and Jamo <3

Tobacco drying, where the infamous Cuban Cigars come from. 

Climbing in Viñales

MOLLY!!!

My bro was expecting us to sail him to Puerto Rico but when the Bahamas opportunity came up we had to turn around and head back to the BVI's. He was fine, we just flew him from St. Thomas to catch his flight! Haha, what a trooper :)

With Josh to help, we finally had the guts to fly the spinnaker! 

The most incredible opportunities come when you are least expecting... 

If only I knew how to play the piano!

Kelly showing us all how to be amazing.

New York with Annie <3

BWCA trip with Jodi, Matt, Lindsay and Ryan

Canoe fun 

My beautiful sister giving me a hand <3

Mr. and Mrs.!! xoxo