Before another trip back to LA for Christmas and New Years, we returned to the boat in Florida to finish all the final jobs. John’s folks joined us for a two week shakedown cruise on the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway). Phew, finally ready, here we go! Out through two bridges to a nice anchorage in Lake…
But first, let’s catch up on what’s been going on with us this summer. We left Arizona in mid-August and stayed with Tess’ folks in Glendora, Ca, so that she could have one last reconstructive surgery (God willing), which went well this time. At the same time, John had a large skin cancer removed from…
Well, the fiasco of our sea trial proved to be just the beginning of a lengthy series of nightmarish delays in the sale of the boat. A couple days after the sea trial, we had a mechanic out to figure out what was wrong with the engine. He eventually decided that the electronic control module…
When we were last in Saint Augustine, Florida, we had enjoyed the Tini Martini Bar restaurant right in front of the anchorage and said that someday we were going to have our own boat sitting out there, right in front of town. So upon arrival, we did just that! Once again we enjoyed several days…
We can’t believe it has only been three weeks since our last post as so much has transpired and we’re excited to share! We sailed north through a few more anchorages in the Exuma chain of the Bahamas. All gorgeous scenery and crazy shallow waters, aka “skinny water” to mariners. Then we left the Exumas…
We left Jamaica with a pretty good weather window to head north through the Windward Passage, as the gap between Haiti and Cuba is known. Given the chaos in Haiti and the resulting flood of people trying to leave the island on rickety boats, we wanted to stay as close to Cuba as possible while…
Yes, they actually say that. In fact, the patois that we are so familiar with from movies and TV is exactly what you hear in person. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve had to ask someone to repeat what they just said to us, allegedly in our own language! But before we get…
As we wound down our time in Cartagena, we continued to enjoy the fantastic nightlife in the old city, particularly in the Getsemani neighborhood which is just outside the original walls but within the extended walled city. We walked through Getsemani’s narrow streets where families turn the streets into pedestrian-only bars and restaurants, either serving…
That’s the official name. Cartagena is big and sprawling with many high-rises but the first thing you see when approaching from sea, are old Spanish fortresses on either side of the channel. Long ago the Spanish sank ships and dumped debris to seal off the natural entrance closer to the city, so everyone had to…
Yes, we are selling our home! We are going to upgrade to a larger boat. After five years with FKL and two years living aboard full-time, the time has come. But more on that later… After leaving Snug Harbor, we really got into the more remote Guna villages, where the vast majority of the people…
