Philip and Leslie began sailing together in 1991 when they bought a small aging weekender sailboat from a neighbor and set about to learn to sail on the chilly waters of the Puget Sound of Washington State in the USA. Since 2003, they have been living aboard Carina and cruising the wide Pacific, moving slowly so as to savor the experience of immersion into the amazing diversity of the world's cultures. Active in the Seven Seas Cruising Association, Carina's crew serve as commodores, roving ambassadors, frequent contributors to the SSCA bulletin and are recipients of the prestigious Clean Wake Award. In March 2018 both Leslie and Philip were named members of the Cruising Club of America.

Leslie is the scientist of the family. A microbiologist by training, she enjoys applying her love of biology and her talent for visual communications into our adventure. Her technical and management career beyond the bioresearch laboratory included such diverse positions as two stints as a corporate vice-president, biotechnical services manager, bioresearch technology consultant, bio-applications specialist and college instructor. She has written or co-authored scores of published works of all complexity from scientific papers to presentations to newsletters, brochures and press releases on subjects as diverse as bioseparations, amateur radio, human nutrition, cruising destinations, rigging and sail repair. Her tenacious research technique and attention to detail serves her well in her roles as navigator, parts procurer, fact-checker and webmistress.

Leslie and Philip are also Cruising Station Hosts for Kingston, WA and received the Clean Wake award in 2012.