I'm one-hundred percent sure that if now was the the year 1800, I would be packing my Conestoga wagon and heading toward the setting sun to explore the western expanses of North America.
In my first sixty years, I have owned two Toyota Landcruisers, six Land Rover Defenders, three monohull sailboats, and one catamaran. All of these conveyances were my 21st century Conestoga wagons that made it possible to live my dreams.
My catamaran made it possible to sail around the world on the ocean of my dreams.
The Landcruisers made it possible to explore Mexico, all of Central America, and Puerto Rico. The Defenders made it possible to explore Saudi Arabia, Oman, the Emirates, New Zealand, and the outback of Australia. I still have three Defenders ready to drive from Cape Town to Cairo and from Buenos Aires to Alaska.
For me, the dream is all about adventure, freedom, and being really alive. Although I like seeing the sights wherever we go, I think it's the sense of adventure coupled with the freedom to do what I want to do with my life, seasoned with a pinch of adrenalin that makes it all worthwhile.
It doesn't matter whether I drive down a hundred foot sand dune, sail through Pirate Alley, or voyage across an ocean, I still get the feeling that I am really alive and am accomplishing something that's important to me.
I'm living my dreams, and although it's a lot of work, costs lots of money, and spends the currency of my youth, that doesn't matter, because I'm doing what I want to do with my life as I live without regrets.
On the wall in front of my desk, I have a graphic emblazoned in large red letters:
WWSD
Those letters mean, WHAT WOULD STEVE DO?
I've always admired Steve Irwin from the Australian Zoo and his outrageous ability to get the most out of life.
Whenever I feel like chickening out and surrendering my dreams, I look up at my WWSD sign, and I remind myself if Steve was still here, he would be living his dreams, and there's no reason I shouldn't be living mine.
It's my dreams that get me up in the morning and keep me going all day long.
It's my dreams that keep me sailing, and someday will take me around the world in my Land Rover Defenders.
Every time I go out sailing and whenever I travel in my Defenders, I feel freedom bubble up in my heart and mind.
There is no doubt about it. I am addicted to freedom, and nothing else will do.
Awesome music video that captures the essence of what it's like to sail offshore in a catamaran around the world when conditions are less than perfect. David Abbott from Too Many Drummers sings the vocals, and he also edited the footage from our Red Sea adventures. This is the theme song from the Red Sea Chronicles.
Sailing up the Red Sea is not for the faint of heart. From the Bab al Mandeb to the Suez Canal, adventures and adversity are in abundance. If you take things too seriously, you just might get the Red Sea Blues.
If you like drum beats, and you like adventure, then have a listen to the Red Sea Chronicles Trailer.
Flying fish assault Exit Only in the middle of the night as we sail through the Arabian Gulf from the Maldives to Oman. And so begins our Red Sea adventures.
Sailing through Pirate Alley between Yemen and Somalia involves calculated risk. It may not be Russian Roulette, but it is a bit of a worry. Follow Team Maxing Out as they navigate through Pirate Alley.
Stopping in Yemen was just what the doctor ordered. We refueled, repaired our alternator, and we made friends with our gracious Yemeni hosts. We also went to Baskins Robbins as a reward for surviving Pirate Alley.
After you survive Pirate Alley, you must sail through the Gate of Sorrows (Bab Al Mandab) at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The Gate of Sorrows lived up to its name with fifty knots of wind and a sandstorm that pummeled Exit Only for two days. Life is good.
Captain Dave and his family spent eleven years sailing around the world on their Privilege 39 catamaran, Exit Only. During the trip, the crew shot 200 hours of video with professional cameras to show people what it's like to sail on a small boat around the world.
The Red Sea Chronicles is a one hour and twenty-two minute feature film showing their adventures as Exit Only sails through Pirate Alley in the Gulf of Aden and up the Red Sea. The professional footage documents their experiences in Oman, Yemen, Eritrea, Sudan, Egypt, and the Suez Canal. It chronicles the rigors of traveling in a remote section of the world rarely visited by cruisers. Exit Only dodges Yemeni pirates, fights a gale and sand storms in the Bab al Mandeb at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The crew explores deserted islands on the western shores of the Red Sea, and learns to check the cruising guides for land mines before venturing ashore.
The Red Sea Chronicles also has outstanding Special Features including an Instructional Video on Storm Management that tells sailors how to deal with storms at sea.
And don't forget the two Music Videos: "The Red Sea Blues", and "Captain - Save Our Souls".
The Red Sea Chronicles is a first class adventure that stokes the sailing dreams of both experienced and wannabe sailors alike.
Join Team Maxingout as they sail through Pirate Alley and up the Red Sea
See what it's like to cruise on a catamaran before you spend a bazillion dollars purchasing one
After watching the Red Sea Chronicles you will be able to see yourself sailing on the ocean of your dreams
Although I like the feel of a paper book in my hand, I love trees even more. When people purchase an eBook, they actually save trees and save money as well. Ebooks are less expensive and have no negative impact on the environment. All of Dr. Dave's books are available at Save A Tree Bookstore. Visit the bookstore today and start putting good things into your mind. It's easy to fill your mind with positive things using eBooks. No matter where you are or what you are doing, you can pull out your smart phone or tablet and start reading. You can even use electronic highlighters and make annotations in your eBooks just like paper books.
