Jessie grew up in Grand Rapids, MI and spent her summers in Northport, MI where her and her family took annual sailing trips around northern MI, and Canada's North Channel. After high school she headed west to explore what it was she wanted to do with her life. Jessie spent nearly 5 years in California. Two of those years she challenged herself attending flight school, eventually attaining her commercial helicopter license. Still unsure if this is what she wanted to pursue, she took a suggested from her father to buy a sailboat, and sail from the great lakes to the Bahamas. Jessie and her best friend Katie Smith, bought a little sailboat together, named her Louise, and made her their new home. Stepping away from everything they had worked for in life, they spent a year traveling America's Great Loop. They now have completed half of the trip, and have a new found love for a more simple life on the water. When Jessie is not on a boat, she spends her time taking photos, writing, playing guitar, being outside, doing handstands, and wandering places she has never been in search of people whom should be met.
Katie grew up in a charming town on Michigan's west coast, where boating and water sports and were number one. You can not grow up in Grand Haven without having a slight obsession with water. After high school Katie took off to the West coast, and spent several years in California. Between Santa Barbara and Lake Tahoe city colleges, she completed her Associates degree. She found that being outdoors, fostering animals, and exploring the beautiful unknowns of California were far more important and educating than continuing school. Katie was the perfect partner in crime to sail America's Great Loop with Jessie. Leaving everything she loved behind, she hopped in an old boat with Jessie, and her dog Reggie, and has been rambling on the water ever since. When Katie is not a sailor girl, her passion lies in animals. Whether she is studying birds, collecting hermit crabs, or grooming Reggie she makes sure to go above and beyond to help whatever creature cross her path.
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Favorite product: Healing hand salve, SPF33 Sun Stick
Please list your top three career highlights: Simplicity, ever changing scenery, and fascinating people.
If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go
and why? Hmmm..... Egypt. Because who goes to Egypt?
If you had a yacht what would you name it? Louise, of course : )
What is your favorite movie quote? I can't say I have one. But, if I did.... "I'm SAILINGGGG!!!"
What is the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten? Raw fish eyeball
Blog or Website: katieandjessieonaboat.com
Instagram: jessiebrave & KatieGirllllll (6 L's)
