It has been quite an adventure for Zac Sunderland, too

Teen sailor Abby Sunderland has been on what must feel like a surreal adventure since her rescue at sea in the Indian Ocean nearly two weeks ago: a long voyage to Kerguelen Islands aboard the French fishing boat that came to her rescue, then a patrol boat voyage to Reunion Island, where her brother Zac will meet and accompany her via aircraft to Los Angeles and ultimately to their home in Thousand Oaks.

But these past two weeks have been an unforgettable adventure for Zac, too. Consider that he had Abby's plight on his mind as he went to his prom and high-school graduation. (Her 40-foot vessel was rolled in heavy seas and lost its mast and satellite communications equipment).

He also had to worry about his parents, who have been under attack by critics of their daughter's attempted solo-circumnavigation of the planet. Because Marianne Sunderland is due to give birth to her eighth child any day, Zac volunteered to go and meet his sister at French-controlled Reunion Island.

Zac, 18, apparently has been doing a lot of growing up since completing a 13-month solo-circumnavigation last July.

His blog post last Friday was under the title: "Prom, Graduation & a Shipwrecked Sister." In the post he stated: "Shortly before I left, I asked out this amazing girl who is now my girlfriend. Her name is Becky and she is a senior at Westlake High. So she brought me to her prom and we had an awesome evening."

When Zac returns home he wants to embark on a career as a professional adventurer, but might sample college life at Moorpark JC.

But first, some rest. His latest post from Reunion Island details a 26-hour flight and a six-hour layover in Paris. He was hungry when he arrived at Reunion but nobody at the restaurant he visited spoke English. "So I just pointed to something halfway down the menu and got some beefy thing," he wrote.

His reunion with Abby, who had been attempting to sail around the world alone, was imminent at the time of this posting.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo of Zac Sunderland with girlfriend Becky was pulled from Zac Sunderland's blog

Comments

[Fun Run]

Wow, what an inspiring article. I think Zac is really following what he really desires. Thank you for posting this. It's inspiring.

[Mark Panitz]

have a safe journey home -both of you