If we haven’t told you yet, this may come as a surprise. We are done cruising. It took a life time of dreaming, years of hard work and saving of funds, years of searching for the right boat, prepping that boat, summoning the courage to quit careers, sell the house, cars, etc. to finally throw off the dock lines and sail off to daily adventures. But it only took a moment for the feeling to wash over us that it was time to stop and head back to solid ground. 
No momentous event or necessity caused us to make this decision, it truly just was time to stop. And miraculously enough we both felt the same way. And much like a British TV series, which seem to end before going stale, we wanted to go out on a high note with joyful memories and no regrets.
Of course we will always retain the lifelong friends we made and the life lessons we learned – from the irrelevantly practical (opening a coconut with a machete) to the metaphysical (a single human is insignificant in the face of nature’s immensity) to the sublime (that dolphins swimming alongside the boat as you and your dog admire them is a joy that never gets old).
Into every life a little rain must fall
However, it became clear that we are simply ready for the next chapter. For right now we only know the setting of this chapter and not the plot. We’ve bought a house in the little hamlet of Orient on the North Fork of Long Island, NY and will be figuring it out from there.
From cruiser to Land Cruiser
Where is the jib sheet on this thing?
We spent several weeks cleaning the boat and getting it ready for sale and then had our last “overnight passage” as we drove our new-to-us land cruiser and a U-haul trailer from Florida to our new home.
For now, we are reconnecting with old friends and learning a new house. Its funny how much time it takes to leave the dock, but how quickly you fall back into land life. However, we’ve promised ourselves to hold onto our wanderlust and although we won’t be traveling on Neko, we are anxious to explore other forms of travel and to not let the carnival stop just yet.
So we’ll put this blog on hiatus for a while. But first we’d like to thank all our family and friends, especially our cruising family, for the support, encouragement and camaraderie so generously bestowed on us these past 4 years. And we hope for new stewards to sail Neko far and wide because she wants to go, go, go and not sit at the dock.
Sailing on Neko 
What a wonderful adventure you had…we too, living vicariously thru your blogs. While you’ll miss sailing, I’ve missed seeing you more often. Welcome to the joys (and headaches) of homeowning.
Mom
I’m so excited y’all got to live out your dream for 4 years. Just wish you had made a 5th year now that Kenny and I are “kidless” and we could have joined you! LOL Rhonda is already calling for a girls trip to NY so I guess I win either way!! In the meantime, come home and visit!! Miss you dearly!
Love you,
Leigh Anne
Ahoy mates! Hope to see you all soon…..
We loved reading your posts and happy you got to sail the the one place we still want to visit someday in the future. Good luck in your future wherever it may take you. Ramona
Thanks for sharing such great stories and pics the past four years. Enjoy being back on Long Island! Pam
Wow! This is quite a change! It’s wonderful that you were both on the same wavelength. And you have already bought a house! Tom and I wish you the very best. We would be interested in hearing what you choose to do in the future. I hope you will keep in touch. Perhaps our lives will cross again in the future – maybe even in Oaxaca? Or even Richmond.
Welcome back to dry land :). xoxo eileen lucas
Mary & Pete,
Congratulations on 4 years of wonderful adventuring! I have enjoyed following you two on both your blog and stopping at numberous places you had previously experienced along the way.
The best for you in all things and all future adventures!
Barry
sv SeaSwift
Saint George, Grenada
I couldn’t love this more and so happy to get to hug you both soon! What a wonderful thing you’ve done.
Welcome home!!! xxx Meryl
welcome back to terra firma. You must have such a different outlook on life, after listening to all the noise from far away.
not anonymous.. pascal akesson
Sea trial and haul out is planned for Girl Four on Wednesday….however nothing goes as scheduled. Good luck in your new digs. If you come west look us up!
Made me cry. Tears of sadness and tears of joy. You two will always be in my heart. I’ll looking forward to a charter somewhere in our future. Fair winds.
No, No, No! What am I going to do without your blog? The wit , the information and the fabulous pictures? If you are going to land cruise, the highway comes this far, well the last little hop is by panga, and I have the guest casita which will remind you of boat life without the rocking . Okay, serious, I wish you both much health and happiness in your new life. Don’t turn off the information flow and if you do decide to come visit please bring that riding mower. Hugs to you both, Jan
I’m glad you both reached the ‘time to stop’ conclusion at the same time. How is land life? I️ hope you are enjoying your new home.