In September of last year, Kevin and Taylor Mathers embarked on an extraordinary adventure by purchasing a three-stateroom yacht for their family. Comprising Kevin, 34, Taylor, and their two young children, aged three and one, the Mathers intend to navigate the 6,000-mile “Great Loop,” a continuous waterway journey around the eastern United States.
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Their recent escapade took them from Virginia to Florida, where they spent 20 nights boating, culminating in a visit to the iconic Disney World. Along the way, they were treated to remarkable encounters with wildlife, including dolphins, manatees, and alligators, which added a unique twist to their family holiday. Taylor shared her delight at how well their eldest child, Wyatt, has become at spotting marine life, often calling out sightings during breakfast.
“For us, this was an opportunity to take the road less travelled,” said Kevin, reflecting on their choice of route through the less frequented waterways of central Florida rather than the more popular options near the Keys. He highlighted the chance to witness stunning natural springs and diverse wildlife, which he felt was especially enriching for their children. “When we discovered this route, we thought, ‘We simply have to make this happen since we’re so close to Disney,’” Kevin added.
The Mathers’ voyage towards Disney is a segment of their overarching objective to complete the Great Loop. The ambitious circuit weaves through the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Gulf Coast, Mississippi River, and the Great Lakes. After their daughter’s birth, the couple opted to shift from their previous van life to life on water, believing that a yacht would be far more accommodating for a family of four.
Kevin recounted how they had originally bought the yacht in Virginia and were excited to take it south to enjoy warmer weather before realising they could navigate as close as Sanford, Florida—a mere 40 miles from the Magic Kingdom. While they acknowledged that there aren’t any direct waterways to the theme park itself, they made the best of their travel arrangements. “It counts in a way,” Kevin explained with a smile. “The marina in Sanford is just 10 minutes from the airport, so we hopped in an Uber to get as close as we could to the park.”
Despite joking about a lack of shuttle services specifically catered to boaters, Kevin observed that their adventure drew them closer to the natural landscape and away from the rigours of major highways. They sailed through quaint rural towns, where the sparse population allowed for stunning night skies and prolonged sunsets. “Since our pace is slower, we often have to anchor or explore colourful small towns along the route. You miss these places when you fly or drive along I-95,” he reflected.
As they continue to voyage along America’s Great Loop over the coming months, the Mathers are embracing the close quarters of their yacht as an opportunity for familial bonding and growth. Taylor expressed a desire to break free from conventional travel norms, stating, “Many believe that travel is something you do when you retire or once your children are grown. We didn’t want to conform to that; instead, we want to experience it while we’re young.”
Currently, the couple devotes their time to sharing their adventures with a wider audience, working as full-time content creators. The Mathers document their journey through various platforms, including their YouTube channel, “Mathers on the Map.”
The journey of the Mathers family serves as a reminder that adventure can come in many forms. For them, it’s not just about reaching the destination but embracing the myriad experiences encountered along the way. Their story resonates with families seeking adventure beyond the ordinary, showcasing the beauty of exploring the world together in a unique and meaningful way.