Cousins, Coconuts, and a Change of Plans We recently took a much-needed vacation to Tahiti to meet up with Dan’s cousin, Dale, and his wife, Cindy, who had traveled all the way from Washington State to see us. Originally, they were going to come sail with us, but with Equus currently without an engine, we…
Life, Loss, and Lessons After an eventful Pacific Ocean crossing, Dan and I finally arrived in the Marquesas Islands, a place sailors dream about for years. Remote, dramatic, and unapologetically wild, the Marquesas sit nearly 900 miles northeast of Tahiti, rising steeply from the Pacific like something carved by myth rather than geology. These islands…
The Marquesas rise from the Pacific like a dream — rugged, ancient, and alive with spirit. From Hiva Oa’s artistry to Fatu Hiva’s heartfelt traditions, each island revealed lessons in simplicity, resilience, and grace. Here, true wealth is found not in comfort, but in connection.
Chapter 1: The Toughest Dive of Our Lives Our unexpected detour to the Galapagos Islands has been a rollercoaster of jaw-dropping sights, backbreaking repairs, and heartwarming connections. Picture this: Dan and I, seasoned divers since our twenties, geared up for a dive at Gordon Rocks with Shark Bay Scuba Shop. This would be one of…
Sometimes, there can be beauty in despair, silver linings in misfortunes, and blue skies in the future where there seems to be nothing but storms. A Confounding Time in Panama In our seven years of circumnavigating, I have to say that our time in Panama has been the most confounding. She beat us up, spit…
Ahoy, Sailmates! We’re getting ready for one of the coolest and silliest sailing traditions in the whole wide ocean—crossing the equator! In just a few days, we’ll officially leave the Northern Hemisphere behind and sail into the Southern Hemisphere for the very first time on this journey. It’s not just a big deal in the…
Perhaps you have read my sailing stories and perhaps even read Riding the Waves of Reality: Tales of Turmoil and Triumph. Las month, I published my latest fiction novel, The Seven – An Odyssey of Seven Horses and Seven Humans. This is the story of seven individuals from around the globe and their encounters with…
I am thankful every day for my husband, my captain, and the man who makes this dream possible. He faces daunting tasks, setbacks, and seemingly impossible odds, yet he perseveres. Sometimes, frustration sets in, but I always hug him and remind him that the freedom we experience comes at a price—being in countries where getting…
Wrapping Up in Panama: Final Projects Before the Big Leap Panama has been a whirlwind, but we’re down to our final two major projects before setting sail across the Pacific. First, we’re replacing the standing rigging—a critical upgrade for safety on such a long passage. Second, we’re installing a new solar panel arch and adding…
The Reality of Boat Repairs in Foreign Countries Sailing around the world is an adventure of a lifetime, but preparing a boat for a Pacific crossing comes with its fair share of challenges—especially when you’re stuck in a foreign country waiting on repairs and parts. We’ve been in Panama since December, dealing with unexpected delays,…