Making Lemonade September 16, 2008

Well, the best laid plans can change, and they have. My wife/partner "Harp" has developed some mechanical problems (health related, physically limiting but not life threatning) that make it necessary that she get off Allymar for a time to heal. We have put Allymar to bed for the winter in WinchesterBay and have changed our plans for the immediate future. I will be hopefully continue the trip to Mexico on a sister boat to Allymar "sv/Vindsang" starting in late September, and she will heal herself and return to working as a Nurse Practitioner.

Not the schedule we planned, but the best for the short term. I will be able to scope out the Mexico scene and have greater sailing skills prior to our re-starting the trip next year. She will have had the time to sail without further injury and aggravation. Traveling without her will be carrying around a big hole where she should be and I will miss her a lot. I appreciate her openness in giving me the opportunity to continue without her for a while.

I expect to return to the states (hopefully with a democratic president) in mid Janaury 2009. If McCain wins, there might not be a reason to return except to gather up Harp and go. I sure hope the electorate has the intelligence to see the republicans for what they are, and choose another path for this country besides one of invasion, loss of personal liberties and sell out to the rich.

See you all down the waves.

Ken

September 9, 2008 Boatless in Ashland

Family and (most) friends have been visited. Jobs that needed a wood shop have been finished. Re-provisioning at Costco and Shop & Kart is done. Its back to Allymar and so long to Ashland. Hopefully everything will fit in the rental car for the trip back to Winchester Bay this afternoon. The biggest item to move is the inflatable dingy to replace the wood one that would not last a day going through the surf in Mexico.
We will leave Winchester Bay in a few days to go south. Plan is to stop near or in San Francisco Bay and than to the North Channel Islands and Santa Catalina Island before Mexico.
Many thanks to Dick and Diane for a wonderful place to stay here in Ashland. Many thanks to Cyd for storing our trailer and all its "landfall" stuff.
Being on solid land, having a kitchen rather than a galley, not having to pump the head and sleeping in a real bed has been a pleasant break, but I look forward to the turn on Allymar's hull as she goes south. Looking at the moon last night brings the possibility for a full moon trip down the coast, a magical time as your eyes adjust to the moonlight and the seeing is better than I ever expected.
May autumn bring all the best "Indian Summer" of your lives.

Fair Winds and Smooth Seas

Ken