10/03/2026
My dad and I shared a love for nautical historical fiction—especially Patrick O’Brian’s Master and Commander series.
We loved the stories of Captain Jack Aubrey and his hero, Admiral Horatio Nelson. One story always stuck with us. At the Battle of Trafalgar, facing a larger French and Spanish fleet, Nelson’s first mate asked what tactics they should use.
Nelson’s answer became legend:
“To hell with tactics. Go straight at them.”
The British fleet split the enemy line and fired broadsides to port and starboard.
And they won.
Nelson commanded that battle from Her Majesty’s Ship Victory.
Today, I got to stand in front of that ship.
She’s under renovation until the 2030s, so it isn’t quite what it once was. But even through the scaffolding and closed sections, she’s still Victory. And standing there, I couldn’t help but think about my dad.
He would have loved it.
Which is why I’ll say this to anyone who’s thinking about a trip with someone they love:
Don’t wait.
Take the trip with your mom or dad.
Take the trip with your brother or sister.
Take the trip with your kids.
Time doesn’t care about the trips we meant to take someday.
Where would you go?
What have they always wanted to see?
I’d love to help you make that journey happen.
