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VUE | Summer 2017

The Digest | New Jersey Magazine

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B efore taking on the seas, the couple flirted with the idea of spending their lives in Northern Michigan, thinking that cabin life would suffice as a means to decompress from the corporate world. But they knew that purchasing a cabin would mean spend- ing their days inside, on their computers, leading just the sort of sedentary life they were trying to escape from. So the John- sons followed their desire to break free of their comfort zone, and though they weren't experienced sailors, they set out to discover life at sea. What began as a weekend hobby quick- ly turned into a new way of living. They absorbed everything they could about the sport. Seeing as how they did not have enough long distance or bluewater sailing experience, their initial itinerary was to travel around the Caribbean. This would provide them with a buffer to tuck into harbors along the East Coast until they became increasingly comfortable with long distance leaps (three to four days at a time). "After a trip to Vietnam, we were propelled by a craving to experi- ence cultures that were unique from our own. We made the decision to set sail for two years and depart from our lives on land," they both explained. And eventu- ally, their desire to see the world by sail- boat took over; the more they sailed, the longer their routes became. Before leaving their jobs, the Johnsons saved as much money as they possibly could to fund their new adventure togeth- er. "For three years before we left we set ourselves into super-saving mode where if anything didn't have to be purchased, it wasn't," Jessica said. This change taught them how to live without excess, which is something spending your days on a 34 foot sailboat requires. In addi- tion, the Johnsons sold their home and all of their belongings before fully com- mitting to their lifestyle change. The eq- uity they made still partially funds their trip today. Although sourcing ways to sustain themselves at sea is sometimes challenging, roughly 95 percent of their funding comes from their savings. While at sea, their days don't normally rely on a schedule. Breakfast is enjoyed VUE ON LIFESTYLE V U E N J . C O M 32

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