Many people dream of packing it all up and setting sail on the high seas, but two local lovebirds have managed to do just that.

Nate Bottorf and Brittany Frantz Raabe, both of Bradford, have been sailing through the Bahamas for the past 4 months.

The pair started their journey in Deale, Md., on Sept. 22. They followed the Intracoastal Waterway more than 1,000 miles down to West Palm Beach, Fla. Continuing their journey, they sailed to the northern Abacos, Bahamas, and headed south before crossing to Eleuthera. They continued south to the Exumas before heading north to Nassau. There, they stopped briefly before heading north again to the Berry Islands, which is where they were located at the time of this interview.

“We are actually on our way back to the states,” explained Bottorf.

“Currently we are still sailing and anticipate arriving back in the United States by the middle of March pending a good weather window,” said Raabe.

The pair are sailing in a 34-foot 1984 O’Day sailboat purchased from a sailing school in Deale in February 2022.

“We spent the next year and a half outfitting the boat for off-grid adventure,” said Raabe.

Raabe, 37, is a traveling registered nurse and Bottorf, 45, is a commercial drone pilot who owns his own aerial imaging business. The pair grew up in Bradford.

“We travel in our RV during the winter and return to Bradford in the summer,” Raabe said.

The pair have seen most of the United States this way. But they dreamed of international travel. Bottorf, in particular, had always dreamed of owning a sailboat and sailing to other countries.

“Naturally, the boat was the best way to travel internationally,” Raabe said.

“A sailboat allowed us to travel within a reasonable budget,” she added.

But, sailing the open waters of the ocean is a very different thing than taking a cruise. The weather, while generally calm, has included some storms.

“The most difficult part of our sailing trip has been unseasonable weather conditions consisting of strong storms and gale force winds,” Raabe said.

Their trip has also been physically demanding, requiring upper body strength and the endurance required to handle the long hours of labor involved in crossing an ocean.

“Mentally you have to prepare yourself for seasickness, long days while being exposed to the elements and the unpredictability of mother nature,” Raabe said.

But in the end, of course, it has all been worth it.

“The most rewarding part of this journey has been learning and experiencing the Bahamian culture, the beautiful, clear blue water and peaceful remote islands,” Raabe said.

So far, the pair’s favorite destination has been the Abacos.

“The village of Hope Town located on Elbow Cay, Abacos, is home to the last remaining kerosene-lit, manned lighthouse in the world,” Raabe said.

“The Abacos have also had the best spearfishing and snorkeling that we have experienced on the remote islands in the Bahamas,” she added.

On a typical day, the pair take their dog for her morning walk on the beach.

“Many of the islands we have visited are uninhabited and because of this we have to make our own power and water,” Raabe said.

After the dog’s morning walk, the pair return to their boat where they start their water maker, which supplies them with fresh water.

“Starlink allows us to check in with friends and family daily,” Raabe said. She explained that batteries for their electronics are charged using solar panels.

“We have to be very conscious of the amount of energy used, as we have a limited supply of fuel for our generator,” Raabe said.

After the pair have ensured that they have enough fresh water, they may engage in a variety of other activities.

“If it is a nice, sunny day we will go snorkeling and spearfishing in hopes of catching our dinner,” Raabe said.

At the end of the day, the pair use Starlink again to check the next day’s weather forecast and make a plan to sail to the next island.

What are they looking forward to the most when they get home?

“I am looking forward to seeing our family and friends,” Raabe said.

“Nate is looking forward to a sub from Leo’s,” she added.

When the pair do return home, they are planning another RV adventure. They also plan to break ground on a new home.

“As for our next sailing adventure, we are excited to head south to Cuba and then explore the Western Caribbean,” Raabe said.