MEET THE CREW
We like to say that it all began with two amateur sailors heading out to find adventure on America’s Great Loop… but really, it began long before we knew anything about the Great Loop. The idea started to take root in the pages of books about sailing, it grew due to boredom and random podcasts, and it all truly gained momentum one afternoon in a livestock tank we were using as a pool. Canned cocktails were present.
Evan decided he was ready for a change and presented his dream of buying a sailboat and leaving everything behind. Meriah was very much not on board. However, she woke up the next morning and said, ‘Find a boat, let’s go!’
EVAN
Born in Memphis, Evan’s fondest memories include spending summers on the lakes of Tennessee and Arkansas and playing in the waves of the Florida panhandle. His family relocated to Omaha, NE, when he was 12, and after college, he moved to Iowa to start his career. After five years at a marketing and design firm, he became the director of a local non-profit where he helped grow his community for more than ten years and founded the Tri City BBQ Fest. His first time manning a sailboat was a 14’ Hobie Cat off of Cozumel, Mexico. One year later, he took on the Loop. He’s obsessed with cooking, biking, music, and travel.
EVAN WRITES MOST OF OUR BLOG POSTS | HOWEVER, FOR THE LATEST UPDATES, FOLLOW US @LIFE.ON.ORIGAMI
MERIAH
Growing up with an Iowa cornfield in her backyard, sailing was the furthest thing from her mind. Meriah is a rare “type A” creative - hyper-focused, organized, and unable to sit still for very long. After moving away to college, her love for travel and adventure was ignited. She has been to 14 countries across Asia, Europe, Central America, and the Caribbean, and loves exploring jungles, mountains, and snorkeling. Hopefully, there will be many more destinations in her future. Meriah founded Roo Bea Design Co. in 2018, where she and Evan currently work.
FOLLOW @ROOBEADESIGNCO
TILDY
Tildy (short for Matilda) is a tiny cat whose life started with an adventure. She was a newborn when her mother placed her in the engine bay of a truck to stay warm. Thankfully, Tildy did not fall out until the vehicle reached the parking lot where Meriah worked. She was scooped up, placed into a basket with a heating pad, and given warm bottles of milk. Perhaps because she was raised by a human hand, Tildy is remarkably gentle and calm. Her small size and chilled-out attitude make her a perfect boat cat. Every once in a while, she will post her travels on Instagram if you want to follow along.
