Liz Clark quit her job as a bartender in San Diego in 2006 and has since sailed the globe.
She received a Cal 40 sailboat in exchange for documenting her travels worldwide. In 2013, she rescued a 6-month-old cat named Amelia (also known as Tropicat), who has adapted well to life at sea, enjoying trekking, beach walks, and fishing on the boat.
She frequently needs to step outside of a cat’s comfort zone, Clark continued. “But I believe she now realizes that I will keep her safe and that, in the end, she will have a lot of fun. She gives the yacht Swell a lot more of a homey feeling.”
Clark has sailed through the South Pacific, the western coast of Central America, and Mexico. Despite initially being underweight, Amelia showed a bold and adventurous spirit, enjoying trekking alongside Clark and even indulging in spa sessions—a true companion in their shared love for adventure!
Clark goes on to explain the initial fear she felt before starting her travels. She says “It was petrifying to leave the safety and security of the dock and my friends and family” She claims she wasn’t sure if she would be capable of navigating such a large yacht and overseeing everything involved in an off-grid voyage. “…but I knew I had to try or I’d always regret it” she continues.
Before setting off, she didn’t know how she would make money, and despite misconceptions, she doesn’t come from a wealthy family. Clark says she sleeps on a pool mat under the stars during her journeys.
“But I feel rich when I look up at that night sky and breathe the fresh ocean air and leap into the sea each morning”
And she feels right at home when she’s near Amelia, wherever they are in the world.
