Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a special time of year. It is a time to reflect on how fortunate we are and to count our blessings.

We have much to be grateful for:

1. Supportive and Loving Family

2. Good Friends

3. Amazing Guests

4. Our home (S/V Mango) is in the Virgin Islands

5. We get to sail, cook, and entertain for a living!

6. We are living our dream on a daily basis and get to share it with others.

Thankful For Surviving The Unthinkable

Considering that the US and British Virgin Islands were ravaged by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, Mango survived the storms, and the Virgin Islands were able to recover enough to host a successful charter season is nothing short of a miracle. Without a doubt, we realize how fortunate we are and are absolutely grateful for the blessings we have received in the aftermath of the hurricanes. They come not only in the form of good fortune, but in the ability to get to know the people of the islands in a way we may never have been able to bond with them. We were provided with opportunities to become better neighbors. It is odd to see light in tragedy, but it is present and you don’t have to look hard to see it.

Grateful For The Little Things

It is easy to be thankful for the obvious gifts life has to offer, but we also feel blessed by the little things, the daily routines, and the details of life. For example, it is incredible to be able share people’s vacations with them. It is a privilege to be able to plan special moments for guests that they will hold near and dear for a lifetime; even when those details require a plan B and a plan C in case the unexpected happens (weather, closures, someone changes their mind).

Then, there is the excitement that comes with meeting people for the first time. In many cases, the day our guests arrive for their charter is the first time we meet them. We have some idea of what their likes and dislikes are based on their preference profiles, but for the most part, we don’t know them. However, after spending a few days, a week, or longer with them, we get to know each other pretty well. We have made some wonderful friends through the process.

Coming Home Celebration

Thanksgiving is a special time at TYL Adventures for other reasons too. It is a coming home celebration. It marks a fresh start to our busy season and the close of Summer months (aka hurricane season) spent on dry land with family. We are always glad to spend time with family and friends in Florida.

S/V Mango also spends her summer months on land, but closer to home at the Nanny Cay Marina. She gets the deluxe spa treatment during her stay in the shipyard including a fresh coat of paint, sails are tended to and replaced if needed, rigging is adjusted, the engine gets a tune-up, and she is inspected from bow to stern. Mango’s interior also gets refreshed because we can’t seem to resist the summer linen and gadget sales at the department stores in Central Florida.

While on the subject of yacht improvements, an odd thing to be thankful for began while maintaining our fire safety certifications. We purchased a new anchor for Mango. We were excited because it was an exceptional deal. Little did we know the amount of effort required to find an affordable way to ship a 44 lb. anchor to the Virgin Islands. To make a long story short, we are super thankful that the US Postal service allowed us to ship the anchor home for a reasonable price.

A Final Note

There is a lot to be thankful for this year and much to look forward to in the coming year.

We send warm wishes and waves of gratitude to you and yours.