Editor's Note: If you've been following along with Scho & Jo's journey here at Waterway Guide, you know that their adventures didn't end when they earned their Gold Looper status. In fact, they were just getting started. Trading tides for trails, Jen and Elliot are taking their exploration beyond the water and into the mountains with their next great endeavor: From Sea to Summit—a cross-country expedition through all 50 states, U.S. National Parks, and Canadian provinces. Join us as we follow their latest chapter, proving once again that adventure is always within reach. Here's the first installment of their exciting new series.

We're Jen and Elliot, also known as Scho & Jo. Our story began when we took a "gap year" from our corporate careers in 2019. After backpacking to thirteen countries, spending two and a half years living on a boat, traveling around America's Great Loop, and a year building out a camper van, we're kicking off our newest adventure. Before we get into Sea to Summit, let us share our story and how we hope to help you travel and live life now. 

Back in 2019, our life was similar to many others. We could see our future clear as day: navigate the corporate ladder, find a community and home to settle down, and accept only one to two adventures a year. We were saving money, paying off debt, and thought - when is the next time we could feasibly make a colossal life change, "when we retire?" Nothing in life is guaranteed, so we chose to book a one-way flight to Columbia and see what else life had to offer; we never turned back.

By 2021, we were all-in to Scho & Jo, trying to find ways to help others take that scary first jump out of their comfort zone. We pivoted from our international travels due to COVID and bought a 1989 34" Marine Trader, which we named "Pivot." With zero prior boating experience, we received many raised eyes and concerns for our decision, which was utterly valid - Pivot was a ten-ton, single-engine trawler, and the trip we were about to embark on was something many boaters dreamed about.

We did what any reasonable person would do in that scenario: we filmed daily videos and put them on YouTube for the world to see. We wanted to show that if Jennifer and I could do it, anyone could. Additionally, by sharing our expenses and how much this one-year adventure by boat actually costs, we hoped to demystify another reason many wait to leave on the adventure - budget. 

Becoming Gold Loopers in early 2023 was incredibly fulfilling but also gave us the question, "What's next?" Looking back to Scho & Jo's mission of helping others follow their passions, we decided to follow ours and document building our camper van - showing again there are many different ways to get out and explore. You don't have to be an expert or plan your entire life for that one trip. 

While Pivot represented embracing life's challenges and accepting its pivots, Summit, the name of our van, represents the challenge and journey to reach life's Summits - as Conrad Anker said, "The summit is what drives us, but the climb itself is what matters." In Sea to Summit, we're journeying to all U.S. National Parks, all 50 states, and Canadian provinces. We'll share our adventures on YouTube, detailed travel itineraries on our website, and travel inspiration on social media. Hopefully, it will inspire you to take the leap and go on that trip you've been dreaming of.