Leaving an abnormal life and returning to an abnormal life...

Karin wrote

Wow!  The time flew so quickly.  We returned home the midst of July, walked back into our jobs with much happiness.  Saw the friends that we love soooo much and now we're returning back to our boat and a life that we love just as much.  It's hard to describe.  I wish we could take the amazing people from Skydive Arizona with us, all on their own boats of course! hahaha!
It was weird returning to land after living on the boat for the past year and now it is just as weird returning to a new adventure that will entail a completely different lifestyle than what we previously enjoyed in the Sea of Cortez.  This is scarier and yet more exciting sailing down the Pacific towards Panama, but I'm very lucky to have such a competent Captain / Sailmate in Joe.  He is such a Mcgyver and loves a challenge, maybe a little to much, his favorite line is "The best way to get yourself out of a difficult situation is to put yourself  there in the first place", but I know between the two of  us we will be fine, or should I say the four of us.  Gypsy is recovered and returning and of course Cappy Jack!

More stuff!

We spent a great weekend at the Drop Zone; I did 9 tandem jumps on Saturday, then. we went as Castaway's, to the infamous, Skydive Arizona Halloween party! "Wilson!!!!!!!!!!!!!" It was a great way to bid Aloha to our friends, until we see them again.
Sunday afternoon, we headed back home to start getting ready for departure.

We're almost there! Today, we received our Radar, spare zincs, GPS card for the entire Pacific coast, from Puerto Vallarta, to the tip of South America! and 

the largest item, that we hopefully won't need; a 65 lb. Mantus Storm anchor.

Roughly 10 days 'til departure. Wow! It's getting real! We'll need at least one more trip to the boat before we're ready to live aboard. Tomorrow, we'll get our visas renewed at the Consulate, and revise our T.I.P.(temporary import permit), to avoid paying duty on our recent purchases. After that, it's just last minute provisioning and  final details with the house and the plane. 

We can't wait to get back out to sea!

Nineteen days to go!?

The clock is ticking....... Last week, Tom and I went to Rocky Point to work on the boat. Luckily, some friends of ours have a rental property there, that we can stay in.

As usual, we got to the boat, and it was covered with poop and fish guts. A couple hours of scrubbing, and we had the cockpit cleaned up. By then it was time to eat!, we went to the Blue Marlin for dinner. Tom and I had Humberto's famous Seafood dinner for two;  wow! Clams, shrimp, fish.. it was awesome!

Back to the house for a cocktail; watched The Jerk on VCR and called it a day.

We hit it hard the next morning, digging into our plumbing situation, cleaning, going through the lockers, and...surprise! A gallon of old oil had leaked out of its container, and half filled the battery box we were using for storage. An oily mess! The only thing I could think of was filling the box with sand, then, scooping it out. It worked, but, there's a lesson here.... store liquids with good protection from leaks.

Tom and Miguel helped me get up the mast, to install bird spikes, and remove the broken windex. Unfortunately, I didn't prepare for checking the steaming light or replacing the flag line. Karin will get her turn to go up again on the next trip. Another lesson: plan your trip aloft... bring everything you need, and bring a line tied to a bucket to bring up what you forgot!

After reinforcing the solar tower, we put the panels on, and some PVC sheet to protect from rain and sun.

We cleaned a little each day; it's looking like a boat again!

Two and a half weeks to go! Ordering stuff, and figuring our last minute needs vs. wants. We made it this far by planning and  doing research, but also, by deciding when we feel ready to go. So; even though we've marked a date, the weather is the most important consideration. Technically, we could leave anytime; but, the more preperations we make now, the more safety and comfort, we'll enjoy later!

Lists!!!!

We have target departure date!!! November 6th; during our friend Marks visit. Weather permitting, he'll sail with us on the first leg, down to San Carlos.
We've got some preliminary lists started, but, I'm sure they'll change many times before we leave!
Projects continue; cushions and covers are complete for the cabin.

We started the airplane, and gave her a bath before taking pictures for Trade a Plane. Next is getting the annual inspection done.

Trying to plan for rainy season; we found some clear vinyl to cover the cockpit. That material is difficult to work with, but it will be 100% waterproof!

Our basic lists are covering most of the things we need to do to the house, before we leave. 

The boat list is the longest.....priorities, priorities.....constantly juggling what needs to happen next.

Lastly, the airplane. Try to sell!

Fortunately, we have had the opportunity to work with our friends, make some money, and have fun!

It's been a busy couple of months, but we are ready to get back out to sea! It seems so long ago, that we we're cruising around the Sea of Cortez, without a care. Just cruising and enjoying the simple life.

We'll be going to Rocky Point again next week, and thanks to some friends, we'll have a house to stay in while we get things done on the boat!! Lots of things to do on the boat... one thing at a time, and we'll get it done. Stuff's happening!

About a month to go!

Since the last post, not too much has happened. We've both been working alot, but we did manage to get our new Yamaha outboard, and Air Conditioner!

We went to see some other cruisers that we met in the Sea of Cortez up in Wickenburg.  It was fun, and we did get some info about importing things into Mexico. It seems that most of them stay in the Sea of Cortez, so we didn't hear much about Central America. 

Tomorrow, we'll go to the Mexican Consulate here in Phoenix, to get as much information as we can. The issue is, we've purchased several items that we may have to pay duty on; so, the more we can find out about import regulations, the better. Unfortunately, everyone you ask, gives a different answer; and it ultimately depends on the person at the border!?

October is it! We intend to get down to the boat as much as possible. Karin has begun provisioning, and I'll be taking care of repairs, modifications, and installations. Still, our biggest challenge is the dogs! Gypsy is having good, and bad days; Jack needs more activity, and we want them both to be happy. Just like everything else; we'll figure it out!

Progress

Slowly, but surely; we're getting things done.

We've both been working nearly everyday, but in between, we've managed to pick up 16 yds of marine vinyl, new foam for our cushions, and our new Honda 2000 generator.

Our sewing machine froze up, so we had to get a replacement. Another Singer, that's working fine. The Sail pack is 98% complete; the mainsail has been washed and repaired,and new hatch covers are in production.

Our friend Tom, and I went down to the marina last week, and removed the solar panels to protect them from hail and wind damage. We also scrubbed the decks, to remove fish guts, bird poop, and dust.

Our two big purchases coming up; the water maker, and the A/C. Hopefully in the next week our two, we'll get back to the boat for more cleaning and outfitting. The clock is ticking......we hope to be back in Mexico by the end of October. We'll see.....

Missing the boat

My apologies, for not posting updates lately. Karin and I have both been working, and figuring out our strategy to get back on the boat. There are many things to decide. The house, the plane, the boat, they all have their own sets of variables, and directions we could steer. We agreed that a water maker, radar, and A/C are priorities; then we get to the and's...a storm sail, and  a new outboard, and, another anchor, and new cushions, and.... and....!
We're hoping to spend more time on the boat in Sept. and try to leave sometime in Oct.
 I miss the boat!
We'll get some photo's posted as the projects begin, and I'll try to give a weekly update.