A family tragedy led the Browns to a profound realization: Life is short, don’t waste it. That clarity sparked a bold response. With time suddenly feeling more precious than ever, they decided to do something big and unforgettable. They downsized their home in St. Louis, bought a boat and set out to sail the Great Loop. What is the Great Loop? It’s a 6,000-mile continuous waterway route that circumnavigates the eastern United States via rivers, lakes, canals and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. It can take anywhere from six months to a year on average.
Many people tackle the Great Loop after decades on the water. While the Browns’ boating background was modest, that didn’t stop them. Phil Brown, now their captain, retired early after decades in corporate America. The family knew this was the time to chase their dream of adventure and connection. With determination, optimism and a slight learning curve, they dove head-first into the boating lifestyle knowing that, soon enough, time would pull them in
different directions.
For Jenny Brown, mom and now first mate of their 55-foot home-on-water, the journey was about more than sightseeing. She saw it as a chance to instill life lessons of self-discipline, resilience and curiosity into their daughters. To complement the hands-on education of navigating locks and tides, the girls were each encouraged to start their own creative projects. Together, they launched social media channels to share their journey with friends, family and a growing community of fellow dreamers and travelers.
The family’s main YouTube channel, @saltysideeye, named after their boat, is curated by Jenny and offers an honest, often humorous look at life on the Loop. From engine failures to dolphin sightings, the Browns share it all with refreshing candor. Other episodes explore everything from daily routines to creative hobbies onboard. It’s part travelogue, part digital scrapbook and entirely unique.
Living aboard a boat as a family is not without its challenges. Space is tight, and weather can be unpredictable. The Browns have found that those challenges are part of the reward. They’ve traded convenience for closeness and, in doing so, discovered a different pace of life—one where sunrises are savored, teamwork is non-negotiable, and each day brings something new.
Their Great Loop journey is far from over, but already it’s clear that the Browns are navigating more than just waterways. They’re charting a course toward deeper connection, lifelong memories and a shared story no one
will forget.
