The Last Leg!

April 7th 2010

Hi everyone! I am home as I write this and arrived back in the USA April first. Boy am I glad to be here. I missed nearly everything...especially the water, food, family & friends and of course the toilet and bathtub. Here is what happened and what's happening:

After Amy and Tom departed in Mazanillo my daughter and her boyfriend came aboard and sailed to Puerto Vallarta with us. We had a great trip as we anchored a few nights in Bahia Navidad, Chameyla, Tenacatita and Yelapa. It was amazing how cold it got once we left Zihuatanijho....I think latitude matters when it comes to really being comfortable at sea and at night. Be that as it may, we had a fabulous journey north, the seas a bit rocky, a little bashing, but the fishing was great and all the villages had undiscovered surprises such as the French Baker arriving at our boat early am in Tenacatita. We did not do much snorkeling as I was recovering (again) from a cough and the flu. (I was sick five times on this trip). Ali, Daniel and I flew home from PV as soon as the boat hit the dock and we left Steve in the good hands of our buddy boat friends on Rocinante. It was great to see Larry, Andrew and Vicki. As I write, Steve and Amy are probably at Isla Isabela (please excuse all spelling errors of destinations as I no longer have my guide books for quick reference) and heading towards Mazatlan. Amy joined Steve at PV (thank you Amy...she is the best crew-mate ever)and they plan on reaching Mazatlan on Friday the 9th whereby Darin (my brother-n-law) will join Steve and the two of them will head further north to who knows where. Just kidding. The plan is to put Lady J 'on the hard' in Guyamus (north in the Sea of Cortez) for the summer. Steve wants to paint the hull and do some repairs and perhaps sail away again next winter. Today, I'm not crazy about sailing again in Mexico but maybe this will change in time. Overall the experience was extraordinary and I am soooooo grateful to have had this opportunity with Steve. Steve is amazing and really knows his stuff when it comes to the sea and sailing. I was never frightened (okay...the first leg was horrifying)and always had confidence in his judgement and ability. We have a few words of thanks to special people.
First, thank you Maria and Brandon for watching the homestead and Sassy.....we were always at peace knowing you two were keeping the home fires burning...and the hot tub humming (even though it blew up). Tom and Lois, you guys really made our departure special and my nerves were so calm due to Tom's sage advice and Lois's constant words of encouragement and positive on-going communication. Also, Rob and Bob...you guys rock! Steve always talked about how lucky he is to have you both together and in his life. He was and still is comforted by all the difficult decisions you had to make and grateful that you kept him in the loop during our journey. Also, Paul, you are a great brother and friend to Steve and without you the first run from Seattle to San Diego may not have happened. Nam, your spirit was with us along the way and thank you (and Zung) for the support and great food. Nam, where are you and why are you not with Steve now? I have to mention Amy once more because she was an ongoing crew member and chief organizer in our 'other life' as we sailed in Mexico. She coordinated everything and anything that needed to be done for us and I LOVE YOU, AND Tom is kinda cute too (breaks things a lot however, just kidding Tom) Blake and Ruth, you were spoken of often and Steve truly owes his nautical knowledge and inspiration (and DNA)to you. A big thanks to John and Katsy for helping out with a family crisis, I respect your commitment to family and thank you. Tim, you were our biggest fan and thanks for following with interest. Maryjo and Bill, BIGGEST THANK YOU EVER for all the goods you brought into Mexico for us: the oar,candy,peanut butter, clothes pins, and the list goes on and on and on...If it were not for Bill Troncones may have never happened, what an awful thought. (hey Bill, I have your shorts). France and Deren, what can I say, you not only sailed with us (and our stuff) but received endless phone calls at all hours some good, some whiny and I love you most. Alexandra May Williams, you and Daniel brightened our journey in so many ways and thank you for coordinating our trip to, from, and during, the final leg.
Lisa, you are the best friend ever and I will cherish your support in my heart for life(and thereafter). Shirley and Wad...okay I'm needy, and you both need religion!
Thanks you Providence and Valley General Hospital for keeping me on the payroll as I sailed into the unknown, I have always felt appreciated and valued at work. For those of you who I did not mention I am sorry.....but my heart will continue to overflow into all of your lives and Steve, my greatest love in life, thank you for giving me this opportunity and putting up with my stuff, I have learned so much from you and look forward to our next chapter together. Please stayed tuned everyone as Steve will post one more entry on this blog when he returns in May as it clearly is his turn!!!!!
Thank you all fellow cruisers: Rocinante, Jambo, Andres of Puerto Las Hadas, Vickey @ Vito Latrota, Bob & Margie on No Name, Susy from Chicago, Sea Bear, Paul Out of Poverty, Jarana, and my 'Lavender Angel' Trish Turner, and all the others who I'll never ever forget!