A little list of dreams and goals

My sand art on the beach in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic

It's hard to believe it's already a month into February, since January pretty much flew by with many long days at work. And it's all for a good cause, because the Wind-Lass launches next month!

But before another month goes by, here is my list of goals and/ or resolutions for the coming year. These are all things I daydream about doing when routine seems to be getting the best of me and I find myself yearning for new horizons.

The view on my walk to work each day (with varying levels of precipitation)

I've been making lists like this one since my teen years. It's enlightening to look back at those, seeing the things I've actually accomplished and others that keep getting added every year (like, "learn Spanish- no really!"). Unfortunately there's a little thing like not being independently wealthy that seems to get in the way of adventure. This list, these daydreams, and the travels I share on this blog, are my ways of fanning the fire while I stay put.

Scotty and I celebrating the purchase of the Wind-Lass where we first met, Squires~ December 2012

In the spirit of positive pursuits, here are my travel-related resolutions for the coming year:

1) Take our new sailboat, Wind-lass, down the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) from Maryland to North Carolina. It's going to be an epic adventure and Scotty's dad and my dad will both be joining us for the trip!

 Wind-Lass, waiting for us to break her out of "land-jail"

2) Go on at least one multi-day hike (Ever since I spent a whole summer here just after graduating from college, it's been my dream to go back and do this one)
3) Take a road trip with stops in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas (I have my eye on this awesome book to help plan the trip). And this web site is a fun stop for ideas if you like windflowers and gorgeous places in the desert.
4) Go on at least one international trip (I do have a few places in mind...especially here, here, and/or here)
5) Take more intensive Spanish language lessons somewhere in Latin America
6) Renovate (or re-fit in boat-speak) Wind-Lass' interior (more on this to come)

7) Watch one Spanish language film each week or four each month to keep mi español más fresco (Here's a list to get started...). Oh, and last night I watched Amores Perros for something like the tenth time... one of my favorite movies ever, and Gael Garcia Bernal isn't too bad in it, either. ;)

8) Go on a hike in my beautiful home state

9) Go fishing in Atlin, British Columbia (check out our first trip there here)
10) Plan time off where the focus really is on relaxation (This place would totally help me do just that!)

Sometimes when I start telling Scotty a new idea, he just gives me a look and shakes his head in mock (or is it?) exhaustion and tells me I'll need several lifetimes to do it all. It's true. Good thing I'm really a cat...

So, will it all get accomplished or are some goals better left postponed or reevaluated? We shall see as 2013 unfolds, as I'd be happy enough if this list was for 2013 and 2014. Either way, these are all things I've been thinking about for a while and am really excited about. What are your travel-related goals for 2013? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

And... the rest of our Dominican Republic trip will be revealed very soon- promise.