Winter's Comin': A Lifelong Dream Fulfilled

by Jake Beaty, Jim Beaty (Narrator)

What’s your dream? Will you work to see it fulfilled? This is the story of a man who pursued his dreams. He moved his family from the Seattle suburbs to the woods of north central Washington. They built a log cabin, lived without electricity or running water, braved bitter cold winters, and endured the challenges to create lasting, cherished memories. Jim—older now—lives without regrets, and has passed this legacy on to his sons. His perseverance set an example of not needing to say, “I wish I had.” Read this story and be encouraged to do the hard work of living without regrets.

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2016

About the author

My dad set an adventurous tone for my life when he moved our family across the Cascades to build a log cabin in the woods. We lived without electricity or running water--on purpose--for six years. These experiences, presented from my dad's perspective, are the subject of my first book, Winter's Comin'. You may not dream of building a cabin or living off grid, but whatever your dreams, don't let fear or complacency stop you from pursuing them. Read Winter's Comin', and be encouraged to persevere and work hard to fulfill your dreams.

I attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, and graduated with honors in 2000. I was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Naval Reserve, and licensed by the US Coast Guard as a third mate for the biggest ships navigating anywhere on the globe. I advanced my license to Unlimited Master shortly after my 27th birthday, and sailed as captain with a humanitarian aid shipping ministry to Haiti, Israel, and New Orleans after Katrina. Sea time lends itself to great stories, and I plan to write next about the voyage to Israel.

Following the Israel voyage, I moved back into the cabin we had left 18 years earlier. I worked on air at the local radio station, drove Dean Martin's boat Innamorata for a few dinner cruises, and finally landed a fantastic job at the hospital. I didn't meet the love of my life until a trip to Bolivia, however, so, much like my dad some thirty years before, I took a risk and made a big scary move, to live without regrets. Jennifer, my lovely wife, had moved to Bolivia herself eight years before, and started and directed an orphanage for babies. The tale of how we met, married and have grown a family will be the subject of my third book.

I'm still relatively young, so there are likely to be more adventures and more stories. Keep a sharp lookout!