January 25, 2005 - Pat Henry, the first American Woman to Circumnavigate the World Solo via the Canals

Author: Scott and Pam

It seems we meet interesting people almost every day, but today we had the thrill of meeting and sharing stories with Pat Henry, the first American Woman to Circumnavigate the World Solo via the Canals. She left Acapulco, Mexico in 1989 and spent eight plus years traveling the world. She has been living in Puerto Vallarta since she returned seven and a half years ago with ten dollars to her name. After her return she spent four and a half years writing her book By the Grace of the Sea, which we are looking forward to reading. She told us completing her book project left as big a gap in her life to fill as the circumnavigation. We talked a bit about what do you do after you complete the biggest challenge and adventure of your life. I have given this question some thought, but I am not even close to an answer. I am pretty sure it will fall into the cross that bridge when you get to category. For now, I am enjoying living in the moment. Last November Pat started a sailing school for women here in PV. She is sharing her experience and skills with the hope of creating an environment that is comfortable for woman and the opportunity to default to the males on board doesn’t exist. She is teaching the classes on her 31’ cutter Southern Cross. She is a dynamic, engaging and fun person and we look forward to the next opportunity to learn more about her voyage. Check out Pat’s websites at www.pat-henry.com and www.coming-about.com.