ROCKLAND SAILOR SEIZES HER LIFELONG DREAM: A FIVE-YEAR SAIL TO FRENCH POLYNESIA

Her Memoir: Laughing at the Sky— Wild Adventure, Bold Dreams, and a Daring Search For a Stolen Childhood will be released May 1.

Rockland Yacht Club sailor Heidi Love tells an extraordinary story, with a tragic start and a happy ending. At age 15 she dreamed of finding an elusive waterfall she saw in a National Geographic article on Gauguin’s Polynesia. Her quest was to travel to the Bay of Virgins in French Polynesia, live hidden in the lush, fruit-filled jungle next to the falls, and overcome a childhood scarred by violence. Her challenges were twofold: first, it’s impossible to drive or fly to Fatu Hiva in French Polynesia, and second, Heidi wasn’t sure if the falls actually existed. That, of course, was just the beginning of her challenge of sailing nearly halfway around the world to find the waterfall.

A tribe of unusual guides supported Heidi Love’s journey, including a Maine therapist who climbed to 24,000 feet on Mount Everest; a two-time, world circumnavigator, a spirited transgender leader of a matrilineal society; an outrageous Marquesan warrior: and her daredevil sidekick and local RYC sailor, Dennis Jud.

After a challenging 12,000 nautical-mile sail from Maine, Heidi Love has returned to RYC and Penobscot Bay which she calls “…one of the world's best cruising areas.” She has written a memoir, Laughing at the Sky— Wild Adventure, Bold Dreams, and a Daring Search For a Stolen Childhood which will be released on May 1. The public is invited to a free book signing and a colorful, lively presentation:

LIVE BOLDLY—Overcome Obstacles, Manage Fear, & Realize Bold Dreams

May 18, 5:00 to 6:30 PM

at the Rockland Yacht Club, Harbor Park, on May 18 from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Her books will be available for purchase online and at local area bookstores. 20% of sales will be donated to RYC.