Bouncing Back: the BVIs

AS SEEN IN SAILING MAGAZINE JUNE 2018

BOUNCING BACK

 SIX MONTHS AFTER HURRICANES RIPPED THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN, THE ANNUAL REGATTAS PICKED UP THE PIECES AND CARRIED On

What a thrill it brought, pressing my face against a hazy plexiglass airplane window, and seeing whitecaps scattered on the sea from 29,000 feet. Following last year’s tragic season of storms in the Caribbean, I was on my way to the British Virgin Islands to check up on the Spring Regatta; which has been bringing sailors to Tortola and the surrounding islands since 1972. 
As the flight descended through the tropical sky, I began to see the telling signs of destruction. Hundreds of homes were without roofs and scores of boats were askew and aground. But this isn’t a story about destruction. It’s a story about revival, and how sailors are helping bring that about ...

STORY CONTINUES HERE

UPSCALE ISLAND: CRUISING TO CATALINA

AS SEEN IN CRUISING WORLD MAGAZINE: MAY 2018

DESTINATIONS

Sail to Catalina

An exotic island awaits just off the California coast.

Palm trees sway, the sun glistens off the cerulean waters as you burrow your toes in the powdery-white sand. Who doesn’t love a tropical island?

But move over, Maui. Bye-bye, Barbados. This exotic paradise is none other than Santa Catalina Island, hardly a stone’s throw from the city of Los Angeles.

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TROUBLE-FREE IN TAHITI

AS SEEN IN SAILING MAGAZINE APRIL 2018

Trouble-free in Tahiti 

Seven cruisers. Seven agendas. Could a week-long cruise in the Tahitian islands satisfy everyone’s idea of a dream vacation? “Aita pe’ape’a,” (eye-ta pay-a pay-a) as the locals say. “No worries!”

Susan J Colby image

Sailing French Polynesia is the stuff dreams are made of. We had Laura, a marine biologist, who dreamed of exploring the sea life and coral gardens, and Jane, an avocado rancher, who dreamed of seeing the lush Tahitian flora and traditional medicinal uses. School principal Barbara fancied the ancient cultures, while Katie envisaged learning a Tahitian dance. Susan needed time in paradise to recover from a recent surgery and Maggie and Pamela were looking for tropical fun and adventure. Seven cruisers. Seven agendas. Could a weeklong cruise in the Tahitian islands satisfy everyone’s idea of a dream vacation?

See the whole story here!

Red Cross Desert to the Sea Blog: "Sneaking in Safety at Holiday Fun Fest"

Sneaking in Safety, at Holiday Fun Fest

STORY BY BETSY CROWFOOT, ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER

Hundreds of youngsters left the annual Red Cross Children’s Safety Festival in Santa Ana last month with more than just holiday presents. During the three-and-a-half-hour event, each received a gift even more valuable than the games, dolls, trucks and toys they took home: they got the gift of safety.

“They come here for a fun time, for the games, activities, and toys,” said Beth Ratcliff, the Red Cross Regional Youth Volunteer Coordinator who organized the December 9 field day. “But we also try to sneak in valuable education on safety.

“Water safety, earthquake safety, bicycle, electrical, railroad, fire, water – you name it!” The festival does double-duty, Ratcliff explained; offering a playful family holiday celebration, while hundreds of Red Cross and other volunteers combine to teach safety and emergency preparedness, in a fun and entertaining way.

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