Dream Destinations Edition 1: Eric

As professional sailors, we get to sail every day, all season long. Sounds like a dream, right? I can tell you from experience that reaching past the Statue of Liberty under full sail never gets old, even after hundreds of sails. 

But even those with dream jobs have dreams, so over the next week or so, we’ll share one bucket-list sailing destination from a member of our team. So if you're brainstorming your next sailing getaway, take a look at these suggestions and see if any spark your interest. Also, if you need crew…we may be available.

Tour of the Great Lakes

Sunset near Lorain lighthouse on Lake Erie by Rona Proudfoot (CC license)

Eric grew up sailing on lakes in Indiana, so it only makes sense that he'd want to get back to his roots, just with upgraded lakes! Eric said he'd like to take a leisurely tour of each of the Great Lakes, stopping at points of interest in each. This is obviously a year-long plus trip, and given the high latitudes of the Great Lakes, he'd be limited to summer sailing. So you can't go yet, Eric. Your adoring fans await the return of you and your cowboy hat on The Hudson this season! 

The Great Lakes are basically inland, freshwater seas, or "Sweetwater Seas" as French explorers dubbed them, so suggesting an exhaustive itinerary would be like planning a trip through the entire Caribbean. Suffice to say there's an immense amount of city life as well as natural beauty to be found here, but knowing Eric, we're pretty sure there are a few spots you'll be sure to find him.

Eric's an actor off the water, so he'll definitely take in a show at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago on the southern tip of Lake Michigan. He might also get recruited to jump on a boat for the historic Chicago Yacht Club Race to Macinac Island. As a farm boy, he'd love the turn-of-the-century charm of the island. No cars allowed—only horses and bikes.

Macinac Island: No cars, just right. Photo - Wikipedia

From there, he could be through the locks of the St. Lawrence Seaway and sailing down the Atlantic coast in a few weeks—or a few years, depending on how thick the fog is, and many microbreweries he decides to tour. Whenever you get there, Eric, send us a case or two of your favorite. 

Close quarters waiting for the locks on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Share that beer!