We intend to fulfill our quest, one way or another, regardless of the amount of support we receive. Our quest is to raise money to benefit needy and underpriveleged children the world over, to demonstrate an alternate road to peace, wisdom, personal and spiritual growth, to seek and develop friendship among men, women and children at the four corners of the globe--empowering others, by example, to seek their own horizons.

We intend to fulfill this quest no matter what, and we have already begun, by taking sailing classes resulting in certification for A.S.A.'s Basic Keelboat, Coastal Cruising, and Advanced Coastal Navigation standards. In January, 2001 we chartered a 38-foot Catamaran and sailed it through the British Virgin Islands (see G.D.'s BVI Journals: The Abrazo Chronicles), gaining valuable sailing experience and preparing us to test for A.S.A.'s Bareboat Chartering standard, to be followed by Advanced Coastal Cruising, Celestial Navigation, and Offshore Passagemaking, all of which will help prepare us for our endeavor.

In addition, G.D. and Rand were interviewed on four nationally syndicated radio stations in March and April, 2001, by radio personalities who had learned of our efforts over the internet and through news services. We were interviewed by Chicago's Mancow Muller of Q101-FM, Jeff MacMurray and Steve Robison of Houston's Morning Buzz, KTBZ 94.5 FM, Theresa Provencio of KLAQ-FM, El Paso, Texas, and Ric and Jaime of WTRY, 98.3 FM in Albany, New York.

We are also sailing as much as possible, not just for the education and to prepare us for our circumnavigation, but because we love to sail! G.D. is currently (summer 2002) sailing on a weekly basis with his friend Neil Rodgers and Neil's crewmate Roman. We are entering club races on weeknights, sailing with Eamon on his J-35 "Dash", and day-sails on the weekends, with Eamon on "Dash" or Rob S. and Neil's brother J.R. on Rob's C&C 35 "This Is It." See the Dash Sailing page on this site for weekly journal entries and photos. We are also planning several overnight cruises during the summer, and, if possible, hoping to crew on a boat for one or more offshore, 2- or 3-day races.

Of course, no amount of classroom or on-the-water training can fully prepare us for the open sea, blue-water challenge of sailing around the world; that is something we will have to accomplish on our own, when we do set sail. But we hope to hold fund-raisers at every port-of-call, and pursue our goals until we have completed our mission, however long that may take.

In order to make the greatest impact, to reap the most from this opportunity, we ask like-minded people to support our endeavor in whatever manner they are able. Please contact us either through our E-mail (gdpeters at nyc dot rr dot com) or Guestbook links, and let us know that you are on-board. Anything that you contribute, whether it be advice, suggested routes, used sailing gear, sponsor contacts, or money, will greatly advance this worthy cause, for we will move ahead much faster the more people we have on board the boat that sails for children.