One of my favorite things in life has always been connecting with people. The internet and social media have made it so easy to do this in a much broader way, and for that I am so grateful. This is why I will never quit Facebook or Instagram, because through these platforms, I have met so many amazing humans who have enriched my life.

Ever since I started this blog, and especially since I participated in the Singlehanded Transpac, I have been passionate about connecting with other solo sailors. I am especially excited when they also happen to be women (mainly because, in my opinion, there aren’t enough of us out there doing this stuff - compared to men)!

I recently connected with two amazing young women who are out exploring the world on their boats. They are both singlehanded cruisers who have heeded their soul’s call out over the horizon into the unknown. Through serendipitous events, and social media happenstance, I was able to first host Elana (and her first mate who happens to be one of my sailing heroes- see below), at my yacht club as she passed through Marina Del Rey, then meet up with BOTH Elana and Rachel in San Diego. We met on Elanas’ beloved boat, Windfola (a 1985 Sabre 34) for an evening of connection and sharing. These two amazing women are much younger than I am, but that did not stop us from feeling like sisters in our mutual, and often inexplicable love of solo sailing, adventure seeking, and most importantly, soul searching. Our conversations were deep and meaningful, and I know I left them better for our time together.

Rachel and I were there to see Elana off on her next adventure, a passage from San Diego to the South Pacific and then New Zealand. I am in awe of the grit and determination of each of these young women, but mostly I am in awe of their wisdom and willingness to face themselves so honestly.

I will be following them both (see links below), and I hope you will too. Elana has some exciting options on her blog for you to follow her and support her journey. I am grateful to have met these brave souls, who like me, are out there searching for their truths by following their heart and soul’s calling.

Fair winds to you both, my lovely, badass friends! I love you! I cannot wait until our paths cross again!

PS….one of the synchronistic bonuses of connecting with Elana when we first met in Marina Del Rey, is that one of my sailing heroes, Synthia Petroka was helping her deliver her boat down to San Diego. Synthia did the Singlehanded Transpac 10 years before I did, and is a racing legend up in San Francisco. It was so wonderful to get to know her!

PSS….My friend Robin, another solo sailor was in the mix and ended up being a huge part our DRYC nights and helped in hosting Elana and Windfola at DRYC!

Elana and Zia (her cute ass dog) aboard Windfola: Peregrina Sails

Rachel , Bear and Zita (her 2 gorgeous doggies) aboard Coconut : Salty Señorita