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Sailing Down the Mountain
It was 1974 when Ben and Helen Harrison began the drive from San Francisco to Costa Rica and the adventure of a lifetime. They were going to build a 38-foot sailboat from a bare hull, and they would name her "La Dulce Mujer Pintada" (The Sweet Painted Lady). Despite their lack of ecperience in building, and despite all odds, they worked, cajoled and did what they had to do to get the job done. The couple would eventually live aboard the boat for 11 years before settling down in Key West, now their home.
Ben and Helen's determination is inspiring, but what makes the book an exhilerating read is the humor Ben is able to capture in the retelling. The two would often say afterwards, "once you've built a sailboat in Costa Rica, nothing much seems insumountable".
Ben and Helen's determination is inspiring, but what makes the book an exhilerating read is the humor Ben is able to capture in the retelling. The two would often say afterwards, "once you've built a sailboat in Costa Rica, nothing much seems insumountable".
447 pages, Paperback
First published April 26, 2014
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12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 3, 2015
UPDATE 2/3/15 ...
An absolutely charming story. Ben and his wife Helen, while living in San Francisco several decades ago, decide to build a 38 ft sailboat in Costa Rica and sail it back to the U.S. Five years later, they arrive in Key West, where they still live today. The account is a wonderful blending of the journal they kept at the time and additional comments written much later. Their adventures, mistakes and triumphs, dangers faced, the people they met and lots of good fun make for a delightful read. Ben is my friend in KW so that makes it all the better. If you're a boat person or dream of ever being one, I think you will love this book. Includes lots of great photos.
An absolutely charming story. Ben and his wife Helen, while living in San Francisco several decades ago, decide to build a 38 ft sailboat in Costa Rica and sail it back to the U.S. Five years later, they arrive in Key West, where they still live today. The account is a wonderful blending of the journal they kept at the time and additional comments written much later. Their adventures, mistakes and triumphs, dangers faced, the people they met and lots of good fun make for a delightful read. Ben is my friend in KW so that makes it all the better. If you're a boat person or dream of ever being one, I think you will love this book. Includes lots of great photos.
July 4, 2016
Enjoyed this couples adventure! Will have to look them up in Key West!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews