No one really knows this part of our story, but I wanted to share it with you, because I am so happy for my friend…

I started working for Chambers Law Group in April of 2003.  Kathie started six months later.  Over the years a good friendship developed, probably because we kept each other sane while working in an often insane environment.  Kathie lived in Madeira Beach as well with her husband Dan and their two boys.  She knew that one day I would leave Chambers to sail away – and she hoped that she would not be far behind to pursue her dream to live on a farm.  For a year we joked about the two of us skipping into work hand in hand, with big smiles on our faces, and giving our notice at the same time.  Six years after starting at Chambers, we each gave notice within one week of each other!

Kathie’s husband Dan is a high school football coach and P.E. teacher.  Florida schools are struggling, and they were ready for a change.  It finally came with the opportunity to be head coach at Whitwell High School in Whitwell, TN (about 30 miles outside of Chattanooga).  To top it off, there was a beautiful house available close by on 12 acres with a swimming pool and a new barn!

I personally do not watch the television show “Friday Night Lights” (although I did see the movie), but it is my understanding that they are living it.  As in Florida, Tennessee is very passionate about football, and the Whitwell Tigers had been on a losing streak for years.  The town was buzzing prior to Dan being offered the job and speculation of who the new coach would be ran wild throughout the town.  Then, the job was offered to an outsider no one knew anything about.  Dan would be under a microscope, but he accepted the challenge.  I was with Kathie when she received the call from Dan saying he got the job and would be leaving within days to start.  Dan had to get a picture sent to them for the article in the paper, so, in the craziness, I ran over to their house and snapped a few, cropped them down and he sent them off.  It all seem surreal at the time - so last minute it barely sank in for them.  Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, Dan was off to Whitwell Tennessee.  Kathie and the boys followed about a month later.

The town welcomed Kathie and Dan with open arms and as game day approached, the anticipation of Dan’s ability to resurrect Whitwell’s football team grew intense.  But for now, Whitwell showed confidence in their new head coach.

Tonight was Whitwell’s first game, and Dan had knots in his stomach all day.  As Kathie put it, he was trying not to vomit on the field!  However, with Whitwell’s first touchdown, the knots became butterflies, and eventually their flutters subsided…I am happy to announce that Dan was christened with a Gatorade bath as the Whitwell Tigers beat their opponents 28 – 6.

Dreams come in many packages – everyone’s is different, but a dream nonetheless.  Congratulations to Kathie and Dan.  I miss you guys, but so very happy for you!  We're livin’ the dream baby, livin' the dream!

We survived our first week in Key West, and let me tell you, it was tough.  No, really, it's amazing and we are loving it.  I have updated the website with journal entries for our first week here and photos.  I received Judy's photos from when we left the dock and they have been added to "Leaving Madeira Beach and John's Pass", so be sure to check them out.

I have also added a little something about my son Clinton.  He is on an adventure of his own, canoeing down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico.  He has shared our story with people he's met along the way, and I have shared his story with our friends and family.  So, in order for everyone to follow him, there is a link at the bottom of our home page which will take you to details and photos of his adventure.

We thank you all for following our dream, and will keep you up to date as often as possible.

Love to all!

Capt'n Harry     & Heidi Ho
SV Gypsy Wind
Key West, FL

Quick update:  On August 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Gypsy Wind left Madeira Bay Marina and headed south.  We anchored out at Egmont Key the first night and headed to Manasota Key (near Englewood) on Wednesday.  We ran into a squall but handled it OK and made it past the storm into Venice Inlet, making our way on the Intracoastal Waterway in nice calm sunny weather.  We are currently anchored just off of Manasota Key with a view of the White Elephant Tiki Bar, where Jack Mosley is playing tomorrow (Friday) night.  We are having dinner with him and his wife Debra tonight and they were kind enough to let me use their computer to make this post.  Unfortunately, we have been unable to pick up a wifi signal from the boat, but as soon as we can, we will update the website with photos and our journals.  Until then, we are safe, happy, and livin' the dream!

Today we took Gypsy Wind out of her slip and into the Gulf to make sure everything is finally working properly.  It couldn't have gone any better than it did.  Well, I take that back, we could have had more wind, but beside the light winds, it was an absolutely beautiful day on the water.  We let all of the sails out, the transmission worked like a charm, and the auto pilot was perfect.  In fact, on our way back in, Harry told me to go the chart and get us to the John's Pass sea buoy using our Maptech Offshore Navigator and the auto pilot.  He would not let me use the helm to steer us onto course...and I did it with no question or problem.  We ran straight to the buoy. 

We've got a few minor things to get done and we should be able to head south the first week in August.

We'll keep you posted!