Here is a short list of places I want to sail/cruise/gunkhole before I die. 

1. Next years longer cruise will probably be a leisurely cruise on the St. John’s River. This is one of the premier protected and relatively lightly travel cruise areas in Florida. As a reference I recommend a look at the “A Winter in Florida” Series by Bob Slimak in Messing about in Boats. Also River of Lakes: A Journey on Florida’s St. Johns River by Bill Belleville. The St. Johns River Guidebook by Kevin M McCarthy is probably the most helpful as a river guide. Another guide, rich with boating information is the Boating On Florida Waterways site. This guide assumes an upriver trip which I found helpful since that would be my approach as well. I see this river as satisfying my needs for several cruising adventures. 
2. The lower Texas coastal area. As Chuck Leinweber says, “It is all protected water – mostly the Laguna Madre, but also including Corpus Christi Bay, Aransas Bay and Matagorda Bay.” This year Chuck is leading the Texas 200 and laid back version of Everglades Challenge race which starts at Magnolia Beach and follows the protected bays all the way down to the tip of Texas. Wow, I wish I could join this cruise. It promises to be one of the best of the year. Check it out at the Texas 200 web site. I hope you will consider joining Chuck and the 200 cruisers this year. 
3. The Savannah River. A lazy but fun-filled trip starting at Augusta Georgia takes me through the Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam and meanders 260 miles south through southern hardwood forrests. With plenty of chances to take side trips on feeder streams, stop at historic places and observe the abundance of wild life, plants animals and avian species as well as aligators and fish, this promises to be one of my better trips. Let’s see, when do I do this?
4. Sailing to the Dry Tortugas. Well, I blew it this year, loosing a rudder sixty miles offshore. I do plan to do this again sometime in the near future. It is a very taxing trip in terms of preparation, driving and sailing for well over twenty-four hours. I’ve learned a lot about preparation, safety precautions and self reliance. I will enlarge on these thoughts in the future. It still is a dream and I do plan it soon. Next year however, I feel the need for a more relaxing vacation so it will probably be the St. Johns in the spring of 2009.