021: Combat, Cruising, and Carpe Diem
Today’s guest is a good friend who has certainly lived an interesting and dangerous life. Jim Ellis is a twenty year combat vet who served as a helicopter gunship pilot and maintenance test pilot. During his tour in Iraq in 2003, Jim took stock of his life and was not happy with what he saw. Two years later, he retired, bought a boat, sailed the Caribbean, bought a marina in Guatemala, met the love of his life, and eventually set off to accomplish his lifelong dream of crossing the Pacific Ocean in a sail boat. This is a wide ranging interview and I think you will agree that Jim’s story is an inspiration for us all. Also, check out the links below. Enjoy!
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Books and Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
Dove, by Robin Lee Graham
Patrick O’Brian Books, a classic series of books about the age of tall ship sailing
Don’t Stop the Carnival, the story of a man who faces middle age by reinventing himself on a Caribbean island
Endurance: Shackelton’s Incredible Journey, by Alfred Lansing
Nigel Calder’s Cruising Handbook: A Compendium for Coastal and Offshore Sailors, by Nigel Calder
The Bumfuzzle Blog, Pat and Ali’s seemingly endless journey
Mopelia (also Maupihaa), an atoll in the Society Islands west of Bora Bora. Population 10 and a great place to visit.
3 Comments
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Thanks CRO59 and Jim what a wonderful subject matter to talk about if you can’t get energy off of this show something is wrong with you. Keep up the outstanding work CRO59 well done!
Thanks, Bill! I’m not sure I want to cruise the world in a sailboat, but I do enjoy Jim’s story. We all have something similar that we want to do and there is no reason not to get our there and do it.
Thanks Bill
Talking about the last 10 years is a lot like trying to describe your favorite item in a buffet…All sorts of favorites. Never thought of myself as being notable, rather just a normal person who has been provided lots of opportunities. It’s recognizing the opportunities as they present themselves I feel is the key. Matt! Well done on moving forward on your goals! The dinner in front of the castle in Cyprus seems so far away eh?
keep it up!… the Trash Can method works… it’s just “Dangerous”.