It's Friday... January 24th... and it's time to check in...
Not with, I'm afraid, the news you were hoping for. No, we haven't found the perfect yacht. But there is news, to be sure. We have made a very difficult decision that feels 'right' for us. But first let me tell you where we got to.
We have been reviewing yacht-world listings, for sale by owner ads, word of mouth and rumors about boats for sale or about to be listed, bulletin boards, toilet cubicle walls... you name it, for months. We've checked them all... looking for a boat that will be good for us over the next ten or more years. We're not looking for the Queen Mary (too many rooms to clean) and we're not looking for a sleek racer (no where to store the beer)... we just want something with a little more room and comfortable living arrangements... as well as a reasonable sailor and able to cope with good old Georgia Straits. I'll stop now, you already know all that.
After a good visit with friends, we left Yuma and pushed old Chuck (pretty tired now after all these miles with a load of stuff in the cargo hold and two boats and a spinnaker pole lashed to his 'lid') from Yuma, over to the coast, and up to the Marina del Rey area. We actually stayed in Carson to keep the hotel costs down. We've looked at numerous boats here; several Catalina 36 MK II's, a couple MK I's, and a couple of Ericson's. Two of the Catalina's came close but each had their issues and both were missing essential equipment we require. We traveled up as far as Santa Barbara to look at three boats yesterday (a 2 hr drive that took 3 1/2 hours.... each way) and mostly what we've done is become very efficient at negotiating California freeways.
And then there's Mexico... As you can imagine, we've been monitoring 'the situation' (that's what we all call it now) very carefully. Latitude 38 continues to be a good resource for keeping abreast of what's going on... and, of course, our friends Molly & Bryce (SV Abracadabra) are still living it.
We've also revisited our realistic dreams and goals... our wishes for the future... and our lives in general... the things we hope to do and the things we still dream of doing... and, back to what I said at the start, we've made a decision.
We're not going to buy a boat in the US right now. We're not going to continue the push and hard work to purchase a boat and force our way back into Mexico right now. We're not going to continue trying to second-guess what the Mexican government, in it's seemingly self-destructive approach to enforcing rules that are inconsistent and difficult to understand.. (by both the enforcer and the 'enforcee'), might do next. We're not going to risk yet another year of our cruising life steeped in indecision and angst over whether or not we should return... and if so, how so and when?
We have had a wonderful, challenging and satisfying adventure, first down the coast, and then cruising in the Sea of Cortez and mainland Mexico. We will forever have the visions of that time in our memories. We are going to miss our cruising and Mexican friends terribly and we sincerely hope that somewhere out there will be at least one... who might say one day "hey guys... wanna go sailing? I could use a couple of crew"... After all, we just adore Isla San Francisco and still haven't seen San Juanico, and we do know how to do anchor watch :-)
We are going to continue our sailing and cruising, at home, in the spring/summer/fall; for now in Mojo and while we watch for the new 'ride'.. And we're going to spend more time with friends and family and taking a little time to enjoy being retired. We're told it's quite fun... we're gonna try it on.
We leave tomorrow morning to push Chuck just a wee bit further... home to Canada. We'll not stay long... just enough days to unload and give him a good servicing, take care of some personal business, and say hi to a few folks if we can. Then we'll be heading back down to the US and some winter warmth travelling by road... to visit friends and do some touristing. We'll be back home by the end of April and carrying on with our summer plans.
Shocking change of plans I know... but 'ya only live once' and we have but one chance to get each day right... We're both looking forward to refocusing on our lives, our health, and our fun-factor...
Make no mistake, sailing is our 'true love' and will remain a huge part of our lives for a very long time....
We will stay in touch.... today is Friday, tomorrow is a new day, and... after all....everyone knows...
The best laid plans, are printed in the sand
below the high-water mark...
stay tuned....
