Hard work, sleepless nights, a little terror - then, you lose sight of shore. This book offers nuts and bolts (pun intended) reportage of the hard journey of retirees Vern & Connie from the U.S. Pacific Northwest to and through the South Pacific. Romantics and idealists be warned. Exactly how much work is involved in do-it-yourself sailing across the world? Read this and find out, but if you're interested only in star-gazing and spine-tingling adventure, this won't be the book for you. The clear descriptions of their route and obscure landing points - which now, thanks to Google Earth, can be tracked visually - provide a solid South Pacific geography lesson.
The authors reveal what an amazing feat and test of courage it is to go that distance in a 35-foot sailboat. Just don't forget your screwdriver, engine manual, washers, fuses, and extra light bulbs.
After reading it, you might wish you could sit down and chat with Vern and Connie. Your first question would probably be "Would you do it over, knowing what you know now?"