After receiving this comment, I’ve been thinking about the short versus long distance cruising again. One of the realities that is very different between the two is the freedom that the latter requires. Living as we do I’ve come to accept the fact that we are tied down to relatively close waters simply because of work commitments and the slow pace of sailing. Probably the greatest difference is class – it takes a high order of wealth to pay off a decent seaworthy boat, equip it for offshore, and have enough in the kitty to pay the costs of living with no income for an extended period of time. Living as we do a fairly marginal lifestyle, i don’t see that happening soon. Of course one can do the “sacrifice” mode of living and I’ve indeed done that route before, but the urge to life in the moment is so strong for me I’m not sure i would be willing to do that for an abstract concept such as the possibility of long distance travel. Not when we live in such an incredible, beautiful place. I can truly say I’ve never been happier, and why mess with that?