Who Are We?

This web-page was created by Russ & Robin Barneveld. We live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Both of us work for the public school system and plan to retire within the next five years. Once retired we would like to live-aboard and cruise full-time. Our ultimate goal is to follow Bruce Van Sant's "Thornless Path" to the Caribbean.

We have been sailing "real" boats, we actually started sailing on a 10' Snark, for the last 9 years. Robins Nest, a Panda 34, is our third boat and was purchased with cruising in mind. At the present time we are slowly outfitting her for ocean cruising.

Shortly after the purchase of our first boat, a Catalina 27, we became hooked on cruising. Actually I guess we were cruisers when we owned the Snark! We could never just go for a sail, we always had a destination. Our theory was that you only learn how to sail by actually sailing. So as rank novices we jumped on our 27, also named Robins Nest, and started cruising. The Great Lakes, and Lake Michigan in particular, have offered some exciting sailing adventures and invaluable experience. Since our professions allow us to cruise every summer we have been able to put many miles under our keel.

We have developed a plan to fulfill our dream and would like to share it here. We would like to receive any comments, advice, or suggestions.

Russ & Robin

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