On a boat they built themselves, two determined souls chartered a life of dreams and discovery.

Helen Olson and her husband, Elmer, retired in their late forties to sail the Pacific Ocean and Oceania from 1979-1989 on a fifty-foot yacht they built themselves.

"Sailing Elysium" is a personal account of that ten-year adventure, as they immersed themselves in the cultures and traditions of the local people, venturing to twenty-seven major stay-overs in twenty-one countries. They left their secure moorage to sail down the coast of North America, crossing the Pacific Ocean from Panama, while stopping at the many islands to the south and west. They enjoyed inviting people from diverse populations into their home on the sea. Each stop added to their pleasure and increased their knowledge of the unique cultures of the island inhabitants. Most of the time they stayed long enough to develop lasting friendships.

Helen says, "Fear did not divide us from the understanding we gained." Helen and Elmer's openness, curiosity, and eagerness to hear people's stories is what allowed their friendships to form around the world. "Sailing Elysium" not only takes the listener to these far-away places, it gives a voice to the fascinating stories shared by the indigenous people met along the way.