Updates

Hey gang,
Below is Elyse's update. I thought I would give you my view. We are tired of wind. When we came to the Bahamas we headed south right away because the weather was warmer and more settled in the southern Exumas. We thought we had waited long enough before we turned north. Now I'm not so sure. We have lingered in places for several reasons.

First is the location. If it is beautiful, has services and is easy to get around then we spend a few extra days. That has been a hard one because we have a strong tendency to want to keep moving. We are still having to remember that we have retired and there is no reason not to see everything before we leave. We have a list of places we will definitely return to next year. Some were disappointments and may be passed up. Some places like George Town were fun but too crowded and organized.

Another reason is the people we meet. We have met some great people. Some on shore but most who are living on their boats. Many are much more experienced and have given us wonderful advice on where to go and what to see. Sharing a rental car in Cat Island was a wonderful experience that we will do more in the future. Sometimes we have spent a week or two traveling with other boats. Later we have different schedules or destinations and go our separate way. Sometimes we meet again in another port later on down the road. Everyone carries "boat cards" with our contact information. We have filled up our business card holder and now have a stack in a rubber band. We write on each one where we met to try and keep track. Everyone helps each other. This morning a French Canadian who we have seen several times came into our mooring field. He is by himself and the wind was blowing about 20 knots. I jumped in the dingy and went to his boat and pick up the line for him.

The weather plays a major factor. We move to get to a place because the wind is right or we wait until it's favorable to go. Every morning we listen to Chris Parker on our SSB radio for advice. When we have internet we go online to sites like Buoyweather.com or Weatherpassage.com to see what we might expect. Life is better when we pay attention to the weather. Tomorrow we hope is a good day to travel. We think the wind give us a broad reach, from the side, which is the best. We have to go into the next anchorage at high tide and we are hopeful we will make it in time. If not we will have to take our second choice for a night. It can be frustrating to have to go or wait. It's not like a car.

Everyday I learn something about the boat. Yesterday I replaced a hose that had been leaking. As Elyse mentions below I am working up the courage to take our windless apart. It pulls up the anchor. Probably for the next week or two I will have to pull up the anchor by hand. I can also pull it with a winch if necessary.

I will say there have been a few times when I am ready to go home. Then I remember that I am home.

I hope this finds you well and your life is good. I will pass on some things I have learned. I regret those things I did not do or try.There are very few things I look back on that I would have changed or not changed. Boats are very small places to live.

Have a wonderful life,
John