I was born in Newfoundland and raised in Labrador. When I left home 42 years ago to live in the USA, I never dreamed I'd go on a sailing vacation.
My husband, Dave, and I left in Sept. 2007. He sailed down the west coast of the USA. My daughter, Tessa, and I went east to NS for a week before taking a road trip to catch up with him.
We drove down the west coast taking in the beautiful sites and as many pubs and wineries as we could. We caught up with Dave in Santa Barbara, Ca.
We sailed down the coast and out to Catalina Island where we lost Tessa to the love of her life, Paul.
Dave and I continued down the Baja spending our Christmas in Bahia de Magalena along with nine other sailboaters. I was out of my element and wasn't too sure about this sailing on the high seas. You'd think coming from an island I'd know how to swim. Nope!
We sailed down to Cabo for New Years and on to Las Paz for six months to sit out the hurricane season. This is where we learned a new passtime - "Happy Hour." Every night a different boat would host the "Happy Hour." We sure miss them and our friends, as well.
We sailed down the coast passing up Guatemala and anchored in Barillas, El Salvador.
On to Puesto de Sol, Nicaragua where we took a trip inland to El Salvador. Fabulous!
We crossed the Papagallo into Costa Rica. The worst weather we've been in, yet. In Cost Rica we anchored at Ballena Bay, Playa del Coco, Drake Bay, Golfito and many islands. It was amazing!!
Next, even worse weather as we rounded Punta Mala, which means bad point - It was!
Finally we anchored at Toboga Island, Panama where we spent the night surfing eight ft. waves. Dave wanted to sail out where it was safe and I wanted the boat to surf onto the beach. This story is in my book.
We crossed the shipping lanes to Playita waiting to go through the canal.
The crossing took two days and there it was, the Caribbean!
We sailed and anchored at as many of the San Blas Islands as we could. We enjoyed many "Happy Hours" with others sailors there. This was the frosting on the cake. Amazing people, water, islands and warm all the time. We never wanted to leave.
We sailed up the east coast to San Andres, Colombia with our friends Barrie and Sandra on SV Passat II who sailed down from Victoria, B.C.
Next, the Island of Roatan, Honduras, Isla Mujuras, Mexico. More favourite places where we spent weeks and enjoyed every second.
Our last sail was to Fort Meyers, Florida in May 2009. It was a long and very pleasant end. I caught my last fish of the journey - a beautiful Spanish mackerel. I was a good fisherwoman. I'd catch a fish everytime I threw in the line.
We put Starshine in dry dock, loaded up a u-haul truck and with a heavy heart we drove across the country to the Pacific Northwest where we live in Winthrop, Washington. It was a wonderful journey!
Linda Rumbolt-Solie



  Submitted By: Linda Rumbolt-Solie