Kansas-that sounds like a nice dream. Similar to mine, and probably many others here. I picture life sailing, surfing(my passion), living off my savings and pension, not watching the news! Right now I have a six year old, so my girlfriend and I day sail, work, and dream of getting away. We will have a small place here in SF with a 42' cruiser somewhere else that we can fly to. Possibly, if my brother moves to the East Coast, we will buy a boat together and cruise the ICW and Caribbean. Small vacations now, retire to the boat when my son is out of high school. And have the place in SF for some land time.
If it were up to me, I would move to the boat now with my son, but I have to deal with my ex, and she would not stand for it.
Plus, we have two jack russell terriers, oh no, lets not go there again.....