Alison and Chris both grew up with a desire for something more. Don't we all spend our childhoods imagining we're the hero in all of our favorite tales?

The stories we loved as kids (and now as adults) were about exploration and adventure. The Chronicles of Narnia, The Chronicles of Prydain, Cutthroat Island, The Princess Bride, Star Trek, Muppet Treasure Island, Star Wars… Alison and Chris grew up in small towns; books and movies were a way to see life outside of what they knew.

Alison's Exposure to Other Places

Alison remembers her parents making time for numerous travels. As a family, Alison's parents took her and her brothers to Jamaica. They chaperoned school trips to Peru, Costa Rica, Washington D.C., and Chicago. Multiple times, Alison's parents ventured along Route 66 by motorcycle, raising money and awareness for cancer research.

Beyond what Alison witnessed with her parents, there were opportunities for other adventures. She went to Costa Rica and Israel as a pre-teen. In high school, she traveled with the church youth group to serve at a camp in Alaska. Alison also attended a high school exchange program that brought her to the Netherlands and France. She spent a few weeks in college studying in Hawaii and a semester in Los Angeles, California. As an adult, she's gone to the United Kingdom with friends and made an anniversary trip to Ireland with Chris.

Chris' Travels and Adventures

Chris' parents were able to encourage him to have similar opportunities for travel. As a college student, he traveled to Europe with a chamber orchestra and went galavanting through the Scottish highlands with a friend. The travel bug never left as Chris finished college and traveled with Alison to various places, such as Ireland and a road trip from California back to Michigan. 

One particular travel event solidified his love of sailing as he helped his (and Alison's) best friends with a passage from Bermuda to the U.S. Virgin Islands. After five days at sea and around 1,000 nautical miles, Chris loved being on the water and had to continue sailing when he eventually went home to Michigan.

Even now, as an architectural photographer, Chris travels to work with landscape professionals across the nation. His travels continue even though he's on the Loop. However, it will involve being more intentional about where and how he travels for photography assignments.  

The Importance of Adventure... NOW!

When Alison's mom, Melinda, died at age 56, the fact that life is limited became much more paramount to Chris and Alison. Melinda and Alison's Dad, Steve, had not waited for retirement before seeking adventure. Going "now" instead of waiting for the "right time" has become prominent in the decision-making process for the crew of S.V. Fika.

Alison and Chris desire to embrace the adventures of every day but also push themselves out of the confines of "normal" life. They want to provide their kids with experiences that will build character and teach them in ways that aren't attainable with the usual routine.

What better way to build the courage to explore new places than to be able to take your home and your family with you? Moving onto a boat for the next year or two seems like a great way to chase the horizon and take on the adventure that comes.

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