Living The Dream

About our Book
Living the Dream is the true-life adventure story of our seven-year cruise from
, to in the 35-foot steel-hulled sailboat, Tainui. This book gives a true picture of what its really like for a retired couple to live their dream of full time cruising to far away places: the highs of beautiful sailing days, snorkeling off pristine coral, anchoring in tropical lagoons, exotic cultural experiences, and the fellowship of the cruising community--but also fear in storms, the exhaustion of sleepless night watches, discouragement of endless boat maintenance, and a rusting through of Tainuis hull.

Although we wrote Living the Dream for a general audience, serious sailors will find a wealth of helpful cruising information and steel boat owners will profit from our significant learning experiences in our maintenance of Tainui's steel hull.

About us

We began our lives  far apart--Connie in parts of Californis that were far from the sea and with no aspirations to cross oceans and Vern in the busy seaport city of Seattle dreaming of sailing away some day. We eventually met at the University of Washington, married, started or family and careers--Vern as a social worker and Connie as a teacher.  It was our four years of living with our family in Malaysia while Vern was on the staff of the Peace Corps there that sparked our desire to one day be full time world travelers.


Order a personalized autographed copy of our book directly rom us by e-miling us at vkmadison@comcast.net.  We will send you an order form.  ($16.50 plus actual shipping cost).


Or order your copy from Author House be clicking the "buy now" button.