The weather man said it might snow last night. It didn’t. Good thing because we took a chance it wouldn’t and decided not to leave yesterday. Leave where? Why? What’s been happening?… Glad you asked.
We haven’t really actually accomplished a lot since our last post.. but we did get home (to Canada) safely.. and Chuck (the truck), bless his gas-driven heart, held up well and delivered his payload with aplomb; all of it… all the blue bins, all the loose stuff, the dinghy, the kayak and the whisker pole… All of it arrived safe and sound and has now been distributed in various ways throughout the ‘warehouse’ of our garage; there to await its new assignment whenever that might occur. Chuck himself went for a well-deserved servicing and, thank goodness for the thorough check-up by Olender’s (our very good mechanic services in Duncan) who went to the trouble of checking the spare tire which is stored way up underneath and hard to get at. It was flat. Oops. Don’t know how long it’s been like that (had it checked before we left in October) but sure glad it’s not flat anymore (fingers crossed). Anyway, he’s all well again and has had a good rest. I was delighted to see his springs return to their normal position after we took out the hugely heavy load of gear he lugged home from Mazatlan.
We weren’t home for long; just long enough to see a few friends, tidy up a little business, and say ‘hi’ to our house. With a careful eye on the weather forecast (it’s pretty cold up here compared to where we’ve been) we decided we’d better head out before the snow flies… We need to be in Palm Springs by Feb. 8th and they’re calling for snow between now and then in the Pacific Northwest…
So here we are… on the 0630 ferry out of Departure Bay. We hope to make it all the way to Springfield today… weather and traffic allowing. Once we’ve put the snow and colder temps behind us we’ll be able to slow down and enjoy the trip. Chuck is loaded up again.. but no where near the weight. We’re carrying a little extra (what else is new :-) because we’re hoping to come across a small 17’ travel trailer.. either a Scamp, Casita or Escape. They’re very light, fibreglass, travel trailers.. with a floor plan that includes a table that drops to a small double, a smaller table and two seats that drops to a single, an enclosed heads with toilet and shower, a galley with stove and fridge, and… a storage/hanging locker.. All in a lightweight 17’ package. They’re rare as hens teeth and sell within hours of being posted, so our search should be very interesting. Kathy’s researched how to import one into Canada when we return and how to insure it. So we’re ready… just have to find one. No, we’re not swallowing the hook.. we just enjoy land-based exploration as well and, with a little trailer, will be able to spend a little time in the summers camping, fishing and exploring… We’ll be looking for one while we lounge about in the US of A between now and mid-March when we will return home.
We’re taking a break from our focused and exhausting hunt for a new boat. We’ll still be getting one… no worries there. It’s just that the shenanigans in Mexico continue (I can tell you that they have released some – but not all - of the foreign yachts but the up and down, hit and miss, love you – hate you, rule making and interpretation of said rules… isn’t over yet), and some of the rules they’re talking about making will set up requirements that we Canadian sailors can’t even meet (eg: Captain’s Licenses… common in the US but not so much in Canada). Latitude 38, an on-line publication, continues to be the best way to stay up to date on this issue… for those of you who are interested. For us, the uncertainty and escalating risk factors are certainly having an impact on our motivation to do the work necessary in order to return to Mexico. The Broughtons and Desolation Sound are looking better and better… and the prawning and crabbing is better for us here (it’s not allowed for us in Mexico). Time will tell and we have little Mojo to keep us busy while we watch for and look at potential cruising yachts for our future.
Sorry to be abandoning many of you to the cold and snowy weather on its way… but, Palm Springs is looking pretty good right now… and we’ll be there from Feb 8-15 having a good visit with Kathy’s mom and friends Ron & Dal. Where we go after that isn’t even written in the sand yet… pretty good for a couple of Capricorns :-)
From all of us to all of you… take good care.. stay warm.. have fun.. Will let you know how we’re doing in due course.
Carolyn, Kathy and PS (Princess Sophie, currently bundled up in her purple sweater and sound asleep in Chuck… waiting patiently for the adventure to continue.. she wouldn’t miss it for the world)
