A journey for the ages

Gig Harbor couple recalls their 19-year sailing trip

Susan Schell

of the Gateway

In 1982, Ray and Patricia Vellinga hopped aboard their 41-foot Formosa Ketch sailboat and set out on a voyage through the Mediterranean. The couple, true DINKS — double income, no kids — wanted to spend 1 1/2 years exploring the sea, the ports and the people of the region.

That was their plan.

What they didn’t realize was just how entrenched they would become in that part of the world. What started out as an 18-month voyage turned into 19 years.

“We just decided we weren’t ready to quit,” Patricia Vellinga said. “Our goal was to sail from Rotterdam to the Mediterranean, to Turkey and back to Spain.

“We got into the French people and the language of France,” she said. “The best sailing was in Greece. There are thousands of little islands and villages. And each little village has a little tavern where everyone gathers.”

Patricia Vellinga documented their voyage and adventures in her new book, “Sailing There — Cruising Across Europe and the Mediterranean.”

Ray said they probably went through about 202 lochs during their journey.

“Some were so small and ancient you had to get out and crank open the gates yourself,” he said. “In Europe, some are so dangerous. They shut the gate, and it starts filling up really fast.”

“It was very scary at times,” Patricia said. “Sometimes you’d be in there with some huge barges. You were afraid you’d get crushed.”

During their stay in Europe, the couple returned to the states several times to their hometown, San Diego. Patricia has a degree in teaching and Ray is an industrial real estate developer. He would take jobs here and there to allow the couple to return to Europe.

“I could have been another Donald Trump,” Ray joked.

But the stressed-out land life wasn’t the charm.

“We’re avid travelers,” Patricia said. “We had no plans on making it a lifestyle. We just love the different cultures in other countries, the tremendous history, archaeology and ancient parts.”

The couple collected longtime friends on their journey.

“We met fabulous people that we’re still friends with,” Patricia said. “We’ve kept in touch and still enjoy sailing together.”

After nearly 20 years, the Vellingas got restless.

“We felt we were ready for a new adventure,” Patricia said. “We wanted to do America’s Great Loop. We did one month in the spring and a month in the fall.”

In 4 1/2 years, the pair completed the loop in sections. The circumference involves traveling from the Great Lakes through the Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee rivers, to the Gulf Coast, around Florida, up through the Atlantic Intra-Costal Waterway, through Chesapeake Bay and New York Harbor to Canada, and back to the Great Lakes.

After that, the couple discovered Puget Sound.

“We went out cruising to 28 different ports,” Patricia said. “We were so excited to see Puget Sound. It has so many different little villages.”

“In a relatively short time, you can go to the next port,” Ray added.

In 2004, the couple settled in Gig Harbor.

“We were just driving through, and we fell in love with it,” Patricia said. “It has more of a European lifestyle as opposed to Southern California.”

The couple set up their own publishing company in Gig Harbor, Peacock Hill Publishing, to market the book, along with Ray’s book on hydro foiling called, “Hydrofoil — Design, Build, Fly.”

The company will focus mainly on nautical-themed material. Copies of either book can be purchased at Mostly Books in Gig Harbor or through Amazon.com.

‘Sailing there’

Copies of “Sailing There — Cruising Across Europe and the Mediterranean” can be ordered locally and online. The book can be found at the following locations:

Order locally at Mostly Books, 3126 Harborview Drive in Gig Harbor, 253-851-3219

Online at www.amazon.com

From Peacock Hill Publishing at www.peacockhillpublishing.com

Reach Lifestyles Coordinator and reporter Susan Schell at 253-853-9240 or by e-mail at susan.schell@gateline.com.