February ‘00
*Additional notes may appear in italics after my mom’s initial journal entries.
A ladybug means you should check the comments at the bottom of the page to see what Mom has chimed in on after reading these!
February 1, Tuesday
John worked on Felipe’s panga engine again. Swell started running 4-5 feet today. I saw 3 good sized rooster fish next to the boat feeding on the little guys.
John saw a whale next to the boat early this morning when it was still dark out.
*I don’t remember rooster fish - they’re pretty impressive!
February 2, Wednesday
Swell is really running big. I took in a cinnamon swirl cake for Rosa, her favorite. Came back to the boat early, feels good.
Talked to Baker and Cindy from Liten Up, they are down in Panama, the Pacific side, doing good. Also, Tom, Val and CJ, Christina, are in the same area and doing good.
February 3, Thursday
Swell calmed down, there was a warm, light breeze.
February, 4, Friday
Samie only missed 1 on her math test. Mornings on the boat – afternoons ashore. Same every day.
John checked out this morning. Angela is in Mazatlan now.
February 5, Saturday
John cleaned – scraped the barnacles off of the steps and the flopper-stopper. Samie’s spending the night at Jena’s.
Waiting for Gene and Jo, Sun Bear, to come in tonight. They left La Paz 3 days ago. They were close to Punta Mita at sundown when their transmission gave out. So – only 4-5 k of breeze, they made their way around the outside of the Tres Marias – rather than trying to come in at Punta Mita.
February 6, Sunday
Happy 65th Birthday, Mom
Brian, Rari, came in this morning from the South. Stopped by for a visit. Sun Bear finally made it in around noon.
Us, Minfi,(?) Sun Bear, Valor and China Moon all went into Felipe’s for a great dinner.
February 7, Monday
John got the “lawns” all mowed – dove the boat and cleaned the dink bottom, too.
Went into Crew’s Quarters to say goodbye to Jena, Blair and Rosa. Hope to see them in Arizona in July.
*We didn’t know it then, but this would be the last time we saw our dear friends at Crew’s Quarters. We did not get to see them in Arizona that summer, and the next and final season of cruising, we ended up staying in Baja the whole time. Life is a trip sometimes with moments like these, when you don’t realize you’re doing something or seeing someone for the last time. Like the last time you pick up your toddler to cuddle them, the last time you ride bikes with neighborhood friends, or, like this, the last time you see a friend or family member.
Thanks to social media, we are still in touch with Jena and Rosa. Sadly, Blair has since passed away, but Jena is married with three beautiful children, and Rosa is doing well - loving being a grandma, I’m sure! I reached out to Jena the other day with a photo of our old cake pan that Blair had written a cute message on, and she sent one back, a Valentine’s Day card I had printed for her. 🥰 Some memories are made to last.
February 8, Tuesday
We left La Cruz at 7 am, swell started coming in the bay entrance and it got real lumpy going around Punta Mita. Had 10 k of south breeze – anchored at Jalatembra for the night.
February 9, Wednesday
Happy Bday Regan – we left Jalatembra at 6:15 am, light north breeze in to San Blas. Anchored 11 am. Saw 2 whales just off the starboard – they went under us.
February 10, Thursday
Went into see Jan and Norm for a bit. Went around to anchor in Matanchen Bay for the night. 4th night I had a migraine.
February 11, Friday
Fogged in, totally – couldn’t even see the front of our boat. Finally, at 9 am, we had ¼ mile, maybe – so with the radar we left. 10 am it finally lifted. We had a nice passage, only NW with no BUFFALOS – only CHUBBY prairie dogs! Had shrimp boats in the daylight only. But John was avoiding pangas just out of Mazatlan. We were just off the light house as it was getting light. Tied to a dock, water only for now. Samie has friends!
*Buffalos and prairie dogs are referring to the size of the white-caps from the wind. I forgot all about these terms cute.
It’s so freaky to be moving along in the boat when you can’t see anything and can’t stop quickly or adjust course as fast as you may need to if you suddenly come up on something out of the fog.
February 13, Sunday
Hi, Mother. You think that I am writing that you are weird, but I got the worst case of it – or maybe you did – STOP SINGING!!!!
Gotta go stop the music… 😊
Love Always,
Samie Kinney
hehe, you sound like a fly buzzing around my ear. 😊 hehehehaha
Samie had today off, no school. John’s been busy washing down and shining. D
Dan, Hot Toddy, stopped by for the night. He was driving their truck down to PV. Samie and I had a “girl’s night”. She shared her music with me – which I enjoyed.
*Mom and I had a great time being goofy together. We listened to the Lou Bega CD and “Mambo Number 5” has been a random song that we still joke about every now and again. I’m so grateful that we have always been close. 🥰
February 14, Monday
Happy Valentine’s – Little Hal, Angela, made all the girls and Puddin’ (their dog) valentines.
*Little Hal was seriously the sweetest!
February 17, 2000 Thursday
Happy 13th Birthday, Samantha
For 13 years, I’ve been blessed with a wonderful daughter.
We moved to a power dock yesterday.
Samie baked a cake (boxed) and frosted it. The girls went to the pool. Angie and I took Hal boy shopping for Samie, he bought her a silver starfish key chain. He was so proud. She also got two shirts, anklet, notebook and I got her a Lou Bega CD.
*Mom told me at some point how Hal debated so seriously about what to get me. I did have that keychain for quite some time and remember being sad when I lost it. 😕
Sunday, February 20
Happy Anniversary Mom and Daddy
Goon called, she thinks she is pregnant. She’s very excited.
Samie had Ashley, Vagary spend the night last night. They have kinda paired off, while Megan, Angela, and Natalie, Night Owl, have. Samie is somewhat unhappy that Megan has not spent much time with her, since they have been friends a long time.
*Typical friendship growing pains, here, as we were all growing and changing and all the things. A handful of ups and downs were had, navigating things.
February 21, Monday
Goon called in tears, she started her period and is not pregnant. Called Danielle and Ben – it’s a boy – a very active one!
*Peggy said it just wasn’t nice!
*Sad to hear this for Peg to have gone through, but she went on to have 3 amazing kiddos!
Danielle and Ben’s boy, Chase, is now married and has a son of his own. The three of them are an adorable family.
Danielle and Ben also had two other boys, Reese and Jake. Reese is also married, has a little girl and another baby on the way. Jake has a long-time girlfiend. Boy, how time flies!
February 22, Tuesday
Rane called, Barbara Jones had a major heart attack on Sunday, but doing ok now. Rane is pregnant again, #4.
Bob, Cynthia and Lee came over, we ordered 2 for 1 pizza – 2 huge pizzas for $180 pesos.
Got an email from John McFall, Jeremy and Val like that house so much – so they are looking for somewhere else to put us for the summer. SHIT.
*I didn’t remember anyone renting out the house while we were gone. Not sure what that couple ended up doing, but we were able to move back in that summer.
February 24, Thursday
Out mail finally caught up with us. Christmas cards and such. Samie got a $50 US money order from Sam, Rane and kids.
February 26, Saturday
I’m really bad about writing in here this season. Wind blew in the afternoon again and into the evening. I dug out the heater, the nights and mornings are cold.
February 27, Sunday
Samie, Megan and Natalie went to the pool. John helped Hal clean his – one of them – winches. Cloudy, the breeze was cool. I baked cookies.
Monday – Taco Loco with Angela.
Tuesday – 2 for 1 pizza with Angela.
Wednesday – Meatloaf at home alone.
