Why They Unplugged: Doug and Cindy gave up successful careers in television and the private sector to pursue their lifelong common dream of sailing. DC-area residents, they found themselves getting swept under the tide of traffic, deadlines, and priorities that didn't match up to their personal goals. Doug says, "it was an environment where you felt you'd die if you had to give up an inch of beltway space."

How They Unplugged: The couple spent a year at sea on a sailboat with their dog, Scooner. To realize their dream, they made specific sacrifices, which included living well within their means and saving Cindy's salary. The couple moved onto the sailboat three full years before they made their move to sea. "Living in such cramped quarters is one thing. Doing so for a year at sea is another. We wanted to be sure we were ready," says Cindy. You can read more about their experience in the upcoming book, Unplugged: How to Disconnect and Find Yourself.

Best Experience: "The experience itself was unforgettable, but the best part is that we came back to better jobs, a better appreciation of life, and a better relationship."

Worst Experience: "Having two engines fail in the middle of a raging storm, which happened more than once!"

Lessons Learned: "I would probably make better use of all that free time," says Cindy. "Looking back, that would have been a great time to really take on a new skill, such as learning to play the guitar."

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