November ‘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!

*Some highlights from my journal entries that summer:

*I included the one about the film because I forgot about how we had to wind the film back into the canister once the roll was done, and how there was always the potential that your last photo or two wouldn’t turn out either due to a light leak or if the photo was literally at the very end of the film and was half cut off. It’s funny to look back and remember all the little hurdles there were. It’s too easy to take for granted how easy it all is these days!
Then, I love the memory of writing our phone numbers onto friend’s hands or piece of paper. No “I’ll find you on social” or going into your phone to add someone into your contacts… There’s just something different about the whole interaction.

I remembered this little flood job of mine, but had forgotten the details - like how did I forget the faucet was running?! I must have been filling the sink to wash my bathing suit, but the sound of the water running blended in with the sound of the shower and I got distracted? I don’t remember how much of the carpet was soaked outside the bathroom, but I’m sure Mom and Dad were NOT happy when they got home! I didn’t make any notes about it, so I must have gotten off pretty easy.

This last one - oof! I still think of this mishap anytime I have a drink close to my laptop. Mom and Dad were asleep when it happened and I still remember waking Mom up, fully panicked knowing Dad would be reasonably VERY upset. But wow, again, I got off easy because I apparently wasn’t fully grounded, just had to be home by an earlier time, and even got to go stay the night with my sister the next night. That was incredibly lenient, considering I actually destroyed the computer! Still sorry about that, guys! 😬

November 6, Monday

We worked 2 weeks longer than normal – had to buy a new gen-set - $7000 plus $900 for the new main sail. Water maker parts and a bigger inverter.
So, it was October 28th before we left the snowy mountain.
Got to the boat in San Carlos at 2:15 pm on October 29, 2000.

All is going along fine. New gen-set inverter and water maker all in and running. New sail on and it fits!
Have to buy a new compressor for the fridge and thermal coupler for the oven. BOAT – Break Out Another Thousand.

November 8, Wednesday

Happy Bday Aunt Janice.

John got all the switches and gizmos hooked up for the gen-set and inverter.
The fridge guy came by but he has to go to Hermosillo to get another part – so mañana. 
Samie has started doing her school work on her own. It helps her pass the day. Last night she used a phone card to call friends on the mountain. She was on Cloud 9.
We finally got to see Bill and Trish – either we were too busy or they’ve had company since we got here – so no time and now they’re leaving in the morning.
Reports are 8” of snow in Show Low. Down to 18° at night. Glad we’re here.

*One of my journal entries for the summer mentioned getting our big package of school books for the year. I can remember the smell of the fresh, new books and the fun of looking through everything to get a feel of what was in store for that school season. I still get giddy about back-to-school supplies.

November 10, Friday

Yesterday was beautiful! Clear skies, warm and no wind. Today cloudy, cool land breeze – a front is trailing down here as it heads for Arizona.
Still no results on the Nov 7th presidential election – it is so close that Gore is calling for recounts. There are still all the military overseas votes to come in. We shall see.

November 11, Saturday

If the fridge guy would get his act together and get our fridge fixed then we could more less get on out of there. Cloudy again.

November 21, Tuesday

John got the fridge compressor back from the “bad” fridge guy – he was sanding it down, he thought he could sell it back as a new one. We had paid him $400 US to order a new one. To date we have only $90 of it back. Come to find out he has done this before and been turned into the judge, which I guess is what we’ll end up doing if we don’t get the rest of the money. Al, the “good” fridge guy put more freon in it and WOW – it works.
Yesterday was wonderfully warm, light breeze only after the last 3, 20-25k. This morning, 100% cloudy.
Talked to Chelle on Sunday, Rick’s mom has lupus and is in a hospital in Tucson.
Peggy is doing fine, weighs 150 lbs, but says it’s all baby. She goes in again today for a checkup. 5 or 6 weeks to go.
Seager is so funny when he eats – or tries to – peanut butter.

*This used to be a regular point of entertainment for us with Seager. 😆
I wonder if we ever got the money back from the fridge guy - Mom doesn’t mention it again.

November 23, Thursday

Happy Bday Deb and Turkey Day

John worked on grinding and sanding down Samie’s hatch. It has needed fixed for a long time, so he’s gonna put down fiberglass.
It was a pretty nice day, only a little wind.
I fixed a pork roast, papas, carrots, candied sweet potatoes and salad for dinner. Bert, Island Woman, was an hour late, cause just as he was leaving his boat in Guaymas, dry storage they came to put him in the sling so they could put him in the water first thing in the morning. I fixed him a plate – neat guy.
Carl and Lina, Fido Pause dropped by – they are here for a couple of months.

*Wow, the slings make me so nervous - I would be stressed having my boat in one overnight.
Bert was good people - we enjoyed his company!

Bert and Seager

November 24, Friday

Howled today.

Seager in one of his favorite spots

November 28, Tuesday
San Carlos

The last 2 days have been perfect weather, no wind and warm.
John is stripping the paint off of the painted white wood on deck, cap-rail, handrails, etc. We decided to put cetol on it and have the wood effect. Samie was even using the electric hand sander – until Dario said no more electric sander. So once John has it all stripped, we’ll go out and anchor for a couple of days to do the sanding. Be good to go out anyway.
The planets, Saturn, Jupiter and Venus are the closest to earth than ever in the last 200 years – like the moon last year – they say you can actually see the rings around Saturn and some of her moons. Samie and I can see the moons and we think the rings. Really neat.
Goon called, her doc appointment is said all is well – 5 weeks to go.

*I was all impressed with myself for helping out, and then I found my journal entry: 😉

December ‘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!

December 1st, Friday

Worked on sanding most all day – 5th sunny, warm, no wind day in a row.
Mac and Carol, Venture Forth, came in, we all went to dinner at the little place up at the RV park here – good.

Dad sanding the bowsprit

It’s cute to see the guys from the dock watching Dad at work. It’s so strange to see the bowsprit without the railing!

December 2, Saturday
San Carlos

I’m working on a new drop screen for the companionway – John is still sanding.
100% clouds today – even rained for 15 minutes or so around 3 pm.
Goon and Shine called, she is so big and uncomfortable now and still a month to go.

*The drop screen was a canvas drop-down for the companionway which helped keep some of the cool air out without having to put up the wood partitions which were cumbersome and inconvenient for daily use. While Mom was making the new one, we used this towel which our cutie-patootie, Seager is photoed under.

December 3, Sunday

8 am we left the dock – ventured out to Catch 22 Beach. Just after anchoring, Seager threw up a little.
It wasn’t even rough when we left the dock, Seager couldn’t figure out where the world was going. We ran the new gen-set for 3 or 4 hours while using the electric sander. Samie worked along with us.
The wind was 10-20 and starting to shift around – so we came back into the dock at 3 pm. Venture Forth, Mac and Carol were headed out – they stayed.
Seager did use his mat to poop on – but he didn’t make it off the boat fast enough back at dock and went pee on the deck.
Thank God the sanding is all done!

*I wouldn’t have remembered this specifically, but Mom’s description of Seager not knowing where the world was going has me laughing out loud - I can now remember him scooting up and down the deck a bit, watching the dock moving away and trying to figure it all out. 😆
I’m glad I was helping Mom and Dad work on the boat - even if I was “in it for the money”.

December 13, Wednesday

John put all the cetol on and it looks wonderful. Should have done this years ago.
We stay in touch with Caleb most every week day with email. Peg didn’t have too many come to her baby shower, but then it was at Angie’s in Taylor – a drive for everyone. Her doc appointment yesterday – all is well, no dilating yet and he hasn’t dropped yet. She goes in once a week now.
Took Seager to the vet last Saturday to have his nails clipped. Since he tries to bite he tied his mouth up with gauze – but he still fought like hell. John got big scratch on his arm, vet got one on his back we think. And poor Seager was foaming at the mouth, pissed and pooped. I’ll never make him go through that again – I’ll drug him first.

*😥Oh man, I forgot about all this with Seager, poor guy. I seem to remember there being an accident where he got clipped too close when trimming his nails once, and I think ever after that, he was petrified to get trimmed. It probably freaked him out even more having his mouth tied up.
I don’t think it was ever quite THIS bad again, hopefully.

December 14, Thursday

Jim and Gail, Priority, came in. They have a 28’ motor home now along with their boat.

December 17, Sunday

Mac and Carol, Venture Forth, came back.
Arturo has finally been working on Storm Haven getting painted. He has done beautiful work, but not sure he put the right color on the “house.”
Weather has stayed wonderful – not much in the way of wind.
John has been busy stripping the paint off of the decks.
Peggy’s baby, Drayden has dropped – guess she could go any day.

Arturo working on Storm Haven

December 21, Thursday

Finally – Bob, Cynthia and Maggie are back.
Sure enough – Arturo has the paint reversed on the boat. Oh brother. So they will now buy more paint and wait for Arturo to repaint the house white also.
Good to have them back, they are staying in the guest house of some of their friends, Dave and Barbara Poulson over on the beach. Their son is working at Show Low High School.

Dec 23, Saturday

John got the 2 new Trojan batteries in and part of the deck paint – Bob brought these goodies down.

December 24, Sunday

Nice calm and warm. Get together at Bob and Cyn’s for chips etc., then drove into town to watch the boat light parade and on to dinner at Bananas.

December 25, Monday
Christmas

Samie opened her gifts. Seager had ripped the “lobster” from Cynthia within 5 minutes – boys!
Called Goon, Shine and Caleb, all’s well – she’s so ready to get the delivery over with. They ended up with 8-10 inches of snow.
Went to call Chelle, the phone was cut off! John was so mad. We went over and used Cynthia’s phone for a quickie to the girls – all’s well there, too.
Later in the day my mom called – but we still couldn’t get out.
For Christmas dinner everyone made a chicken dish and other goodies and we ate at the house Cynthia is staying in – out on the patio. The wind came up around noon – but we were protected.
Those presents were Bob and Cynthia, Storm Haven, Jim and Gail, Priority, Mac and Carol, Venture Forth, Nick and Tanice, Wylie May, Bert, Island Woman.

Seager opening his Christmas presents

Don't forget the peanut butter sandwich!

Playing with one of the "neighborhood dogs"

Carol, Mac, Bob, and Dad

Carol and Cynthia

Gail, Cynthia, and Jim

Not me watching a movie (The Patriot) in the other room

December 29, Friday
San Carlos

I’ve been saying this would be the day Drayden would be born. Goon has been having some contractions the last couple of days, but as of 7:30 pm – I was wrong.
I talked to Peggy earlier, the contractions have stopped, but she was in good spirits.
One of the gate guards here at Marina Real was killed last night. He was trying to catch a ride in there from San Carlos. We have picked him, Andre, up before. I guess he stepped out in the road to flag down one of the Mexican worker trucks and he was right in the sun. The driver never saw him. Bob and Cynthia came up just behind the truck and said the sun was right in their eyes. All of us here in the marina are going to take up a collection for his wife and family – 5 kids, the youngest one 15. He was the friendliest of all the guards, so sad.

*This terrible accident with Andre hit the community hard - he was very friendly and well-liked in the marina. I remember always getting nervous on that particular spot on the hill after this happened. I still get choked up thinking about the whole thing. 😭

December 31, Sunday

New Year’s Eve Pizza Hut pizza party at B&C house.

January ‘01

*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!

Jan 6, Saturday, 2001
San Carlos

Drayden James Rowell
12:04 pm
20 ¾ inches long
7lb 10oz

I was a nervous wreck before the day was over. I talked to Goon twice in the morning, she was getting real tired, I could tell. Called twice later, could not talk to her once in O.R. and no one could tell us anything. Finally got through to Sylvia and Shine called later.

*The combo of nerves and excitement that night was pretty intense. I was so excited for my sister, but really wished we were there. Mom wanted to be there with and for Peggy, and felt bad that we weren’t. But everything turned out ok and our anxieties turned to relief and excitement once Drayden arrived safely.
Drayden is now 25 years old and lives in Utah. He is such a sweetheart and loves to make people smile and laugh. He actually just called me the other night and we had a great 3-hour chat! I sure do love that kid.

January 8th, Monday
San Carlos

Happy 25th B-Day to Danielle.

Clouded up today.
Talked to Peggy, she’s pretty sore and extremely tired. She will probably go home Tuesday.

Following is the email Caleb sent with details:

KB7ZIK@K6IXA
“Well, I’m back to work! The baby is doing fine, with Mom in the hospital. They will most likely hold her till Tuesday. Well, here is a summary of what happened in case there are any confusions. Water was broke at 8:15 on the 5th, labor started right away. Early on the 6th she was still at 7, talked about checking her in an hour. If she had not dilated anymore, they would do a c-section. Came back in an hour and she was at 8. A few more hours, she came out at 9 to 10. Pushed for about 2 hours, no movement in the baby, just did not want to come down anymore. Got second opinion from Dr. Hunter. Took her to the O.R. at about 11:00. Gave her a big dose of epidural stuff, still did not numb her up, gave her more, still did not work. Put her under. Baby came out at 12:04. He had a bowel movement inside of Peg. They have to suck all the waste out of him, then put him on oxygen, and give him some antibiotics. They started him out at about 60% oxygen, then weened him down to 22% the same amount in normal air. Peg got the baby for the first time at about 7:00 pm on the 6th. They took her off of the heavy drugs yesterday, they are now giving her some other stuff for the pain. She is walking around a little. We had the baby all day yesterday, Daddy had to change his first ever diaper. Drayden is now feeding better, and hanging with Peg for today. Also, when he came out, he had a scraped, flat, red nose. It’s starting to go away, and regain its shape. His head also had a BIG dent in the back, with a big knot below it. That is also going away. He has big feet and his bottom lip is indented. Everyone said he’s a keeper, I’ll have to agree with them. Well, time to go back to work, I’ll be in tomorrow also, I’ll give you an update then. I have some film developed; I just have to scan it.”

*I talked to Peggy about this today - she explained that Drayden had turned himself sideways in the womb and that’s why he wasn’t making any progress and why he came out with a scraped nose, knots and indents - poor guy! He was being pushed up against her pubic bone the whole time. And poor Peg - 27 hours of labor, sheesh! Drayden likes to tell her it’s because she made it so comfy and cozy in there that he wasn’t ready to leave yet.

January 9, Tuesday

We left San Carlos at 5 am along with Bob, to drive to Nogales to pick up 4 new batteries for Bob and for the 3 of us to renew our VISAs and van tags. Now we’re ok until we leave in May.
Nice enough, only 15 minutes wait on US border. Fast trip into WalMart and Safeway. Lunch at Carl’s Jr. – green light – 21k, also green light. Drove through clouds all day, cold in Nogales. Rain and hail on drive home. Only took 12.5 hours – home at 5:30 pm.
Gail, Priority, and Cynthia, Storm Haven, came over to walk Seager. He was so glad to see us home again.

January 10, Wednesday

Caleb sent pictures of Drayden to our Hotmail. We went in to the internet café to download it. Hard to tell much – but he looks like a sweet one – and big like Chase was.
Chelle called; Jeremy is starting to walk – a month tomorrow. Schyler told us he lost his front tooth (first one) and he got $5.00 for it!
Oh, John had to put in a completely new toilet today. $300 U.S.
We disconnected the cell phone; we figured it cost us $300 US for 2 months. Long story- but it’s gone. Thank goodness for email.

*$5 for a tooth?! Dang - we sure came a long ways from a quarter! Wonder what the going rate is now-a-days?!

January 18, Thursday

We checked out for the last time Saturday the 13th and of course it started HOWLING. Jim and Gail did leave Monday night, but now there are in Chivato with howling wind. Glad we stayed. Their ride over was not the best, 11 hours normal took 14 hours.
John and Gene, Sun Bear, took apart our laptop to fix a broken hinge – don’t know if it will last the rest of the season. Gene is loaning us their spare.
Sam and I watched The Perfect Storm last night as it howled 20-25k and the boat rocked here in the slip.

*I’m going to take this moment to add in a photo of Seager HOWLING, like the wind was that day. We loved howling with Seager, and I added a photo from 2004 of us doing just that. It’d be so cute cause one of us would start up and he’d get excited and then all four of us would be howling together for a few minutes. We sure did have fun with our Seager Boy!

January 20, Saturday
San Carlos

Happy B-Day Janelle

Storm Haven was put back in the water and came around to Marina Real this morning. I called Goon, all is well with them. Caleb will try to figure out why none of his emails are getting through to us.
Calmer today, 15k late afternoon. Jim and Gail, Priority, said they moved from Chivato to Pulpito and had 15-20 k with 3 to 5 foot seas – glad we aren’t leaving today, as was planned.
Clinton is gone – Bush is in.

January 21, Sunday

John and Gene, Sun Bear, spent the morning getting Storm Haven’s batteries all hooked up.
Talked to Kelly on Refuge at 11 am, they were an hour out – fairly calm and 10k – so we got it together and left the break water at 12:30 pm.
Finally out – Seager was kinda green for the first 4 hours or so. He puked 3 times before it calmed down a little and he got his sea legs.
Seas smoothed out, nothing over 14k W – most of the trip 10k.

January 22, Monday

We came into Escondido and anchored at 8:30 am – 20-hour trip, nice.
Seager never did pee until after we anchored, he found the mat and went for at least two minutes.

*Seager’s poor bladder! I remember this - we could not believe how long he went for. He must have been so confused with all this new stuff going on!

January 24, Wednesday

Happy Hour on Priority, Marty and Taska, Cloud Nine, also here. Taska looks wonderful – last year she battled lymphoma cancer. For now she is 100% ok.

January 27, Saturday
Escondido

We had Priority, Cloud Nine, and Darryl, Princess Erika over last night – nice visit.
Cloud Nine, Marty and Taska left this morning for Agua Verde. Heard them on the radio – they had 25 SW all day, as a front went through. In here at Escondido, we didn’t get over 12k SW – so hope as tonight wears on and it switches to the NW we won’t have much either.
Talked to Bob, Storm Haven, at 5 pm on 3838, they were just going into Pulpito – they left San Carlos at 4:30 am and had 20/25k SW all the way. Don’t know if Bert, Island Woman, left as planned or not.
When the clouds rolled in today, they sat over the mountain in a fog – pretty. We did get a few sprinkles, but only a few.
Seager is starting to get the hang of using his pee mat on the deck. Although he won’t poop on it, he just goes on deck wherever.

*We had a little “grass” mat that was close to one of the scuppers along the mid-section of the boat deck, which allowed for drainage off the side. Once Seager had gone, Dad would toss our wash bucket over the side, haul it back up full of sea-water and pour it over the mat a couple times to wash away the pee. It took some time, but Seager was real good about using it after he got the hang of it.

January 28, Sunday

Bob and Cynthia, also Bert, came into Escondido around 2 pm.

January 30, Tuesday

Wind kicked in early this morning. Here it is 8:30 pm and still blowing 15-20 with the gust of 25k.
John has been taking Seager to shore once or twice a day because he won’t pee on the boat. He’ll hold it all day and night – that’s both good and not good.
Email from Chelle says Jeremy is walking everywhere. Schyler is doing better in school and will be in T-Ball again. Danielle went up to Show Low and saw Drayden.
Caleb’s email said Drayden only woke up once last night and they got 4 more inches of snow. Samie’s friend said there is 15” or so on the ground. Yuk - and I thought it was cold here.

Dad and his best bud!

January 31, Wednesday

Calmer today – flat tonight.
We borrowed Nutty Professor II from Storm Haven – what a crack up!

February ‘01

*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, Thursday
Escondido

Mostly calm and sunny – until it was 3 pm and at 4 all were due to head over to Storm Haven for Happy Hour - then 15-20k.
John went into Loreto with Darryl, Princess Erika, to fill 3 jerry jugs with deisel and go to the bank.
After 6 years of having the dinghy board on the starboard side where the engine and gen-set exhaust is – we finally figure out that we should board on the port side. One of those DUH’s that takes forever to dawn on you.

*I noticed we did this the previous season, in May when Peggy and Caleb were visiting. In one video where we return to the boat, we do approach the left side. As Mom mentioned, the generator and engine exhaust were on the starboard side and it would make bubbles and spray just below the waterline, which was just inconvenient if you went to get in or out of the dinghy while either were running. I think we tended to enter in on the right side partly because it was easier to step into the cockpit. The hallway to the aft cabin was on the left side and made for a wider section that you had to step over to get in. The starboard side seemed easier for this reason, especially when coming in with groceries from the dink.

February 3, Saturday
Escondido

Yesterday the wind HOWLED 20-30k all day and most of the night.
Today was much nicer 10-12k for the most part. FLAT tonight.
John helped Jim, Priority, fix his electric windlass. Bob and Cynthia came over. Maggie and Seager sure are cute together.
Days are starting to warm up – when there are no clouds.

Bob and Cynthia came to visit us in Lakeside, too!

Maggie and Seager always got along well

Maggie and Seager, 4 years later in 2005, in WA

February 4, Sunday

We took laundry into the Tripui, real cheap here still. They do it at the store. Seager is pooped by the time we walk from the dinghy dock to the store and back.
Only 5-10k today, nice and warm too. With the ¾ moon shining down on the flat water, it looks like we’re sitting on a glass mirror. Beautiful.

*Tripui was about a 15-minute walk from the dinghy dock.
The calm in Escondido made for the most beautiful, serene nights. 😍 I’ll revisit one of my paintings below, Hiraeth, which I also shared in an earlier season. This painting was inspired by these incredible nights in Escondido. The stars shone down on the water which was so calm, it looked as though you were suspended in outer space. Sometimes, a dinghy would go by and it’s engine would stir up the phosphorescence in a way that made us tease that it was a comet, shooting through our little spot in the universe. ✨

February 6, Tuesday

Happy Birthday, Mom.
Drayden is 1 month old.

I tried to do a phone patch to talk to Mom – but Bob, the radio guy in Scottsdale was not on today – oh well, I did mail her a letter.
Everyone got together at Storm Haven tonight. A short one.

*Not certain when this happened, but we’ll add it here. I wasn’t climbing the mast for any particular reason that I can think of besides just wanting to climb it! I would have gone to the top, but Mom would only let me go the the bottom spreader. Too bad I didn’t know how to fix stuff on the mast, I could have been Dad’s little helper up there!

February 7, Wednesday
Escondido

We were planning on leaving this morning for the southeast side of Isla Carmen – but there is a front going through – so we stayed put. Not much wind in here – warm clouds.
We visited at Bob and Cynthia’s today.
Peggy and Caleb mailed pictures and a video of Drayden to Mac and Carole in SLC for them to bring down to San Carlos. Now let’s hope they get out of Marina Real and over here so we get the photos.

*We were always grateful for the folks who were helping deliver our mail - albeit, maybe a teeny bit impatient here and there. 😆 I had my fair share of “I wish they’d hurry up and get here with our mail” comments in my journals.

February 13, Tuesday
Escondido

Well, once again, as we planned to leave, the weather is not favorable. Another front passing by. Few sprinkles last night. Only light winds, but they turned us in circles more than once.

Angie sent me an email:
Why men aren’t secretaries – a husband’s note to his wife.
“Doctor’s office called – said Pabst Beer is normal.”

February 15, Thursday

Clear skies today – but of course WIND, 15-25k north.
John went over to put out a second anchor on Rosinante, Alec’s boat, was dragging down on Bert, Island Woman.
John is just about out of projects to keep him busy on the boat. It needs to calm down and warm up so he can dive.
I’ve had enough of this weather too – migraines once a week for quite a while now.
Oh – heard on the net that 4 men escaped from the Tres Marias Islands near San Blas and P.V.

*This was undoubtedly the worst year for Mom and her migraines. I think they got to be so frequent that she stopped bothering to mention them. 😩 A lot of it was the weather and the barometer fluctuating, which was more frequent in Baja. I tried my best to help her out if I could, thankfully I was older and she didn’t need to take care of me; I could manage school on my own and leave her be in her room. Sometimes massaging her temples, neck and shoulders would help, but mostly she was at their mercy for as long as it took for them to pass - it was so hard to see her in so much pain and to be so helpless. 😭 I am so grateful that she was able to eventually find some medicine that knocks them out so that she no longer has to experience them like this.
I didn’t remember this detail about the Tres Marias having prisons on them, interesting. I wonder what ever happened to these guys, if they were caught. — Did me some research (who, me?) and found some information on the prison. It mentions there were “at least 76 escapes in the last 25 years of which 29 took place in 1986 alone.” Only 10 were recaptured, and there was no mention on these 4 in 2001.

February 16, Friday
Escondido

Not too windy today – had snacks and Nutty Professor II at Storm Haven tonight for Gail’s birthday (Priority).
Samie and I got a case of the giggles in her room for a couple of hours. Fun.

*Random giggle-fits with Mom are the best! 🥰

February 17, Saturday

Happy 14th Birthday to Samie!

The 3 of us boats all walked into Tripui for lunch – nice. It was 4 pm when we got back, so I’ll fix Samie’s taco dinner tomorrow.
Sam and I watched tapes of Ally McBeal and Friends, we also played Boggle.
Seager wants to play.

*Mom was always sweet about fixing me a birthday dinner of my choice. Most often I remember asking for scalloped potatoes. 🥰 I don’t remember what the main dish would have been - for me, the potatoes were the whole feature. Can’t go wrong with cheesy potatoes! But another favorite has definitely always been our secret family recipe for tacos! If you know, you know! 😊
Also, it was a rare treat, but would happen now and then that I could get either or both my parents to play a game with me. With Mom it was Boggle, with Dad it was Backgammon. We may have played cards here and there, like Gin Rummy or something.

February 19, Monday
Escondido

Venture Forth, Mac and Carole came in to Escondido early this morning – with mail! Peggy sent pictures and a video of Drayden and Danielle sent pictures of Chase, Schyler and Jeremy. What cute kids. Jeremy has changed – so cute, looks like a little man. Schyler is growing, Chase is 26 lbs now and has the happiest smile!
Drayden is also a cute one, we got to see her in the hospital and at home. She says he weighs 10lbs now – he was 1 month when she mailed it. Can’t wait to hold him.

Peggy and baby Drayden

Drayden with his uncle Mike

Chase and Jeremy

I can't for the life of me find the picture of Schyler, Jeremy and Chase, even though I could swear I just came across it the other day...

February 21, Wednesday

Happy Birthday, Caleb!

We had dinner at Princess Erika with Darryl, Linda and Amy is here for a week.

February 22, Thursday
Escondido

Not a great morning. John was sharpening his fishing hooks and Seager got curious and ended up with a size 14 (big) j-hook in his nose. It was on a repala. One hook was in his nose and we were afraid he would flip another one in his eye or somewhere else. We taped down the far end and John cut off the other two closest ones – not easy to do. Samie was trying to hold him, but he bit her. We called Jim, Priority, to help. All is well now, John ended up with a big gouge on his arm. Poor Seager, it was awful.
We borrowed Darryl’s truck to spend $90 US at Tripui and stock up so we can head south toward La Paz on Monday or so.
Storm Haven, Bob and Cynthia went out to anchor for a couple of days. I guess it was really rough while on the move.

*Seager certainly had a rough go of things this first couple of months, figuring things out! 😩 He had been sniffing at the lures when one poked him enough that he jerked and it snagged into his nose - not enough to have gone all the way through, but enough that the barb was in there and we couldn’t just back it out - which meant Dad had to push it the rest of the way through his nose so that he could cut off the barb and finally back it out of his nose. 🫣It was terrible! It was also early morning and the sound carries strong over the water that time of day - I remember worrying that people would think we were hurting him! I don’t remember him biting me during this, but I do remember him being right by my ear when he let out a real loud yelp and I almost passed out from the proximity and I had ringing in my ears for a while. Thankfully Jim was able to come over and they got it sorted out. I don’t remember how Seager was the rest of the day, but rest assured - he never got curious about those lures ever again!

February 26, Monday
Escondido – Agua Verde

We left at 8 am for Agua Verde – smooth, calm, whales blowing and sounding, but don’t know what kind. Maybe blues or greys.
Good to move!

February 27, Tuesday

How wonderful to be warm. Baja is cold in the winter and I’m glad spring is at last getting close.
Last night here in Agua Verde the fish were running through the anchorage – giving us a light show – the phosphorescence was incredible!
Caleb’s email said they stopped to see Danielle and Ben on their way home from a week in Mesa. He says Chase looks like a “sumo man.”
Drayden is 10lbs and 23” long now at seven weeks. He’s starting to “talk”.

*I’m not actually sure when Dad and I went hooka-ing, but it seems to me like it was somewhere like Agua Verde, so we will put these photos here. I’m so glad I was getting out and doing so much more this year! I know Dad loved it when I’d join him on this kind of stuff and I had a great time, too!

February 28, Wednesday
Agua Verde

The girls – myself, Gail and Carole – all got together on Cynthia’s Storm Haven to bake bread (sourdough) in her bread maker. Fun afternoon. Black clouds all day, we only have 10-15 sprinkles and no wind in Agua Verde – but from San Francisco to Bara (that I know of) had squalls, heavy rain and 20-40 knots of wind. Two boats in Tenecatita were struck by lightning; 1 of them lost all their electronics.

March ‘01

*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!

March 2, Friday

Happy 46th to me.

Clouds all broke away and it was warm and sunny – my favorite kind of day!
Storm Haven, Priority, Venture Forth, Golden Eagle (another Northaven) and us all made pizza to share on Venture Forth. Nice evening.
Heard on the Manaña Net that Sunrise Ski Resort has 84” at the base and 6” of new snow. It was a surprise to hear the local info from home.

*Happy 46th, Momma! 🥰

March 3, Saturday
Los Gatos

We and Storm Haven moved south to Los Gatos. Smooth ride – 3 hours. After we were anchored, the breeze kicked in at 10-15k east – of all, the worst for here. It never did get too bad and laid down for the night.
Priority went back to Escondido. Venture Forth and Gold Eagle went on to San Fransisco.

March 4, Sunday

It was 50° in Los Gatos at 6:30 am and 38° in La Paz at the same time. Cold!
We left Los Gatos at 7 am for San Fransisco. Flat, dolphins – Seager went nuts, he was shaking, guess he wanted to get at the “sea monsters”.
Also had whales everywhere. One went under the boat – the depth read 3.6’ – close.
Anchored first time, 1:15 pm, drug. We pulled up the anchor, it was covered in a huge ball of green, mossy weeds. Took a boat hook and 10 minutes to get it all off. Found a sandy patch and re-anchored.
Ron on the Sea Lion is also here. He invited us up to the beach for the BBQ – this time we went. Good food – nice time. They had a telescope set up and we saw the rings of Saturn – really cool.

*Seager could often hear the dolphins before we saw them, so we learned when to start looking for them, based off his behavior.
It was a lot of fun being part of these beach parties and being able to use that high-powered telescope to see some awesome views of the night sky. Really, such a treat. I remember people having different musical instruments and playing together around the fire. Good times.

March 5, Monday

Cynthia and Samie and I all walked to the east side for shelling – nice time.
Breeze kicked in from the SW – wrong for here – wide open to building swell. We bounced on anchor until about 1:30 am, then the wind switched to the north. Only 1 boat drug that I know of.

March 6, Tuesday
La Paz

Bringing in the anchor took a while – again – to get all the weeds off. We had the gen set on and it sucked in enough to clog the intake.
We decided to come on into Marina La Paz.
Wonderful 10k SW breeze filled the main and jib. Wish they were all like that. We tied up to the outside dock for the night. Storm Haven also came into the marina.

*Those were some gnarly weeds! 😩 It wasn’t something that happened often, but sure was a pain in the ass when it did!

March 7, Wednesday

We moved early, at slack tide into a slip – easy in, easy out.
So tired still.

Me and Seager Boy ❤

March 8, Thursday
La Paz

John jerry-jugged 121 gallons of fuel – we paid that ($1.5 per gal) and the slip fee through the 18th – just about $500 US.

March 9, Friday

John charged the engine and genny oil for Mac on Venture Forth.
We went to dinner with Bob and Cynthia at the Chinese place – really good.
Cyn and Sam and I had walked down town to develop film this afternoon.

*A small part of me misses the anticipation of finishing a roll of film and waiting to be able to get it developed! I have some old, untouched one-time-use cameras, maybe I’ll use those for a little nostalgic throw-back. 😉

March 10, Saturday

I went with Cynthia and Bob to Mogote Beach – lots of the common shells – Cyn found one big paper nautilus. I found two small ones – all broken. Oh well, life’s not perfect.

*Awe, I wish now that I would have gone with Mom and them to Mogote - we had never been, otherwise, and every time I look at a map of La Paz now, a part of me is always curious about the rest of the huge bay there. We were only ever in the marina or right outside it, and there was this whole other area to explore! Granted, it was often windier than snot and you didn’t want to be out in it…. but still!

Carly and me

No way to know if these are the same two nautilus shells, but I just so happen to have exactly two...

*I found the videos of Carly and I, and she mentioned that she was about to spend 20+ days on her boat with her parents - I’m guessing they were sailing to Hawaii, but she never said specifically on tape. I wonder how that went for them. We didn’t keep in touch as far as I remember or have any record of.

March 12, Monday
La Paz

We walked with Bob and Cynthia way down to the new Tex Burger place, really good. Cyn and I split a burger and a pastrami sandwich. Ice cream on the way back – of course.

*Whenever I finally make it back to La Paz, La Fuente is one of the first places I’m going! I never remember the actual name, just “the polka dot ice cream place.” 😆

March 14, Wednesday

Jeffrey the Rigger brought back our new bow sprit. It was breaking – good thing we found it - $80 US.
We all took a taxi to CCC – attached is the receipt.
We had B&C over for dinner.

*The receipt has around 80 items purchased, from chicken to beef to New Yorks and ribeyes, hot dogs, bread, fruits and veggies, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, cereal, condiments, chips, salsa, coffee, beer, etc… all for $184.00 US!

March 15, Thursday
La Paz

John dove and cleaned the bottom of the boat and prop.
Samie went to the beach with Kevin and his parents from Well Deserved – they are land-based now. Also, Patrick from Free Run.

*Before I went to the beach with the guys, I caught this video of The Californian, which was docked near us. We had fun watching the guys tidy up and pack away the sails.

*And here we go with more synchronicities and these stories:
This year for my birthday, I went with Mom, Peggy, and my niece, Joni to San Diego. I had wanted to go sailing and found out that you could go for a 4-hour sail on one of the tall ships docked at the maritime museum there in the San Diego Bay - but it is only available on select weekends which didn’t line up for us on that trip. So we rented a private sailboat and a captain for a 3-hour sail in the bay, instead. Fast forward to this last month, Mom and I were talking and reminiscing on all these cruising memories and decided to take a trip to San Diego again and commit to spending pretty much the whole time wandering the beaches, soaking up the sun, sand and salty ocean perfection. I said, hey, we should go out on that tall ship this time! She agrees, and I purchase tickets.
Fast forward to this video to realize it is the exact ship we will be sailing on next month - The Californian! 😆I couldn’t believe it! So, here we will be, 25 years later, unintentionally sailing on the same tall ship that we saw and filmed here in La Paz in 2001. I love it!
You’ll see that we spotted her again the following month, farther north in the Sea, and took some photos of her with all her sails out - so beautiful!
Mom also found this video about the volunteers who handle the ship.

March 16, Friday

Heard on the net that Brent, OAH, in Alpine had a tumor under his tongue removed and is doing fine.

*Not sure what days these were on, so I’ll just slide them in here.
I liked calling Seager Taco Dog after he had a bath because with his hair slicked down, he made me think of the Taco Bell chihuahua.
We must have been keeping an eye on Maggie one night for Bob and Cynthia - not sure why else we’d be filming with no one else on camera.

March 17, Saturday

Corn beef and cabbage at Storm Haven. Very good.
We called all the girls and Mom and Daddy. Jeremy and Chase both have ear infections. Doesn’t seem that the tubes in Jeremy’s ears are helping.

March 18, Sunday
La Paz

Cynthia and I took a taxi to and back from CCC – just picked up a few things.
Cynthia ended up with a migraine.
Samie went to the movie with Patrick on Free Run.

*I found in my journal that we went to see The Exorcist. Apparently, it was so crowded in the theater that we thought we were going to have to stand - but we did find seats. I had totally forgotten about seeing this movie down there. My journal says I got real lucky being able to go, not sure if that was due to the type of movie or because it was just the two of us being dropped off at the theater, or what.

March 19, Monday

Happy Bday, Little Hal!

Planned to leave La Paz this morning – and we did. 9:10 am – 1:15 pm, anchored at Ensenada Grande. We took the inside route this time – still had the 15-25k on the nose, but not near so lumpy.

*Leaving La Paz on the first day planned?! That was a first!
Mom and I can’t figure out what she meant by the inside route. 🤔

March 20, Tuesday

Dolphins in the anchorage. Beach afternoon – Seager and Maggie had a ball running. Seager played and swam for at least half an hour to an hour. He needed a shower anyway. Beautiful sunset.
(I spent a lot of time in the sun today and yesterday, and ended up with a migraine both days.)

March 21, Wednesday
San Jose

We moved from Ensenada Grande to the south end of Isla San Jose, Amortojada. We have never been in here before. Huge bay and you need to have no wind or the unusual east wind, which is what we had all afternoon.
On the way here, we had NO wind and glassy seas. Beautiful! Not much sea life on our route – but Storm Haven went farther east, on the back side of Isla San Fransisco – they had whales and lots of turtles. Took 3.5 hours.
Samie and Cynthia went shelling – John and Bob went clamming.
Beautiful sunset – baby blue sky and baby pink clouds.
Millions of stars tonight and we are being serenaded by the sea lions on the rocks – they are quite loud.

March 22, Thursday
San Jose

Samie and Cynthia went shelling again – my head hurts again so I didn’t go again – POOP. John and Bob went clamming. Bob’s crane for his tender is hung up, it won’t work – so they are going back in to La Paz to have it fixed. That will take at least a week for them to get back out here.
Then we got an email from Bert, his mother needs help with his dying brother. So he’ll be leaving the boat in Escondido and going back to Nova Scotia in a couple of weeks.
So we decided to head to Escondido to see him and wait for B&C to catch up.
Bob and Cynthia came over for dinner – steamed clams, shrimp cocktail, crackers and dip – wonderful.
Then about 8 pm or so, I heard a whale in the anchorage. We all listened to the several whales and maybe some dolphins for the next hour, hour and a half. The whales were close enough to hear their breath in and out. Samie and John saw the phosphorescence from them once, I never did.
The bay was so, so calm that the millions of stars, (NO MOON) were reflecting on the water, it was like being in a black hole, not knowing sky from water. Amazing – the thing just gave me goosebumps, only way to describe it. One of the best ever!

**This night is a core memory for me, hands down. I wrote a story about it which I will have to find, it’s called A Day as Sweet as Candy and I will always remember shelling that day – I had that “going to the chapel and we’re gonna get married” song in my head (which leads me to believe I’d recently watched Father of the Bride) and then that night we marveled at the sound of the whales. I always thought the perfect reflections were always in Escondido, but apparently it happened here, as well. I’m sure there were numerous such nights, but this sounds like a real cherry on top kind of night. That imagery is what my painting, Hiraeth is an ode to (the one I shared last month). It’s the idea that our memories are encapsulated in these little marble-like bubbles of memory that we can access when we want.

March 23, Friday
San Marte

Bob and Cyn left for La Paz to have the dinghy lift fixed.
We left San Jose at 7:30 am for San Marte. Calm all the way and flat, flat. At one time we had 8k N, but not for long. Not much sea life – only a few whales in the distance. We averaged 7.4k and were anchored at 2:30 pm.
Jim and Gail, Priority, also came in here – they had been at Monserrate.
Beautiful sunset, colored the calm water pink, purple and shades of blue.

March 25, Sunday
Escondido

We left San Marte at 7 am – smooth passage into Escondido, no wind (I love it), anchored twice. Here at 11:30. Bert is tied to “the wall” – he doesn’t have a dinghy motor, so John brought him out after he got ice. Had Bert over for dinner.

March 27, Tuesday

Last night Caleb emailed us that Sunday Michael had gone snow boarding and came home in a neck brace. They took him to the emergency room, did an MRI and CAT scans. He doesn’t remember the accident. Today when we went into Loreto, I called, he wasn’t home but Peggy said he was ok. He has this last week at Pepsi in Lakeside. Monday he starts a new job in Mesa at a potato chip warehouse.
Bert drove into Loreto and we went along, got 3 jerry jugs of diesel and 1 of gas.
From La Paz to here it’s been blowen South – Priority got blown (or swelled) out of Los Gatos and went to Rincon.
Storm Haven left La Paz and is in San Fransisco.

March 30, Friday
Escondido

We have been having L/V with SE 10k most afternoons. Except for the N 12k switching to S last night – it has been flat through the nights.
This afternoon was a TGBL (Thank God Bert’s Leaving) party. Too many people for us, we were home by 5 pm. Not a good copy on HH – but think SH leaving San Jose to head north in the morn.
Samie met Maggie (11) and Daniel (13) from the SV Heritage II.

*I have notes about Maggie and Dan from my journal that are shared in the next month. I also have a photo of Daniel somewhere, but can’t seem to find it.

March 31, Saturday

Calm, warm and wonderful!
Daryl and Linda, Princess Erika, came back from their kayak trip, but are leaving again tomorrow.
John was walking on the road to Tripui and Seager wandered off to the side to sniff a diamond back snake. Rebecca, Paloma Blanca, was also there, she saw the snake and yelled – John pulled Seager back just in time!
There has been big sun spots this last week – which make the HAM radio bad. But I guess it is making the Northern Lights real bright and seen in Phoenix – even San Carlos. I’ll have to stay up tonight and look.
Bert came over for dinner.
U of A is in the final playoff for Monday.

*I wrote the following in 2024 while I was transcribing these entries of Mom’s - this was just the beginning of the synchronicities I’ve experienced during the 4 years that this project has spanned across.

The timing with which I have been transcribing and posting these journal entries cracks me up! As an example, when I was editing last year in June, I happened to be editing about my great grandpa’s death which was June 15, 1995. I checked the date and it just so happened to be June 15, 2023, exactly 28 years to the day! What are the chances. And earlier this month while transcribing these, I come across the notes of Peggy’s prom date with Daniel T – we had JUST seen Daniel and his family a month before - unfortunately his sister, Jackie passed away. Her and Peggy had been inseparable in high school and she and Daniel had briefly reminisced about their prom together. Then I came across that post. For the latest example, AZ just witnessed the Northern Lights again, just 2.5 weeks ago! WHAT ARE THE CHANCES!? I love it. I tried to find online if we have been able to see them in AZ since that time, but haven’t been able to find anything thus far.

April ‘01

*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!

April 1, Sunday
Escondido

For April Fool’s Day, Samie emailed 2 of her friends to say she’d be home in a week – followed by a clever clue.
John helped Bert move Island Woman back out to anchor. Later this afternoon he helped him blow out the water that got past the anti-siphon valve and into the oil. Bad, but they got it in time and all should be fine.
Storm Haven got to Agua Verde today. Also VF and DT and Priority.
The solar flares have been so strong this past week that the Northern Lights have been seen all the way down here. Dave, Estria, saw them in San Carlos and Glo, Double Time, saw them from San Jose. Amazing – I’ve been up until midnight twice and haven’t seem ‘em.

*22 emails would have kept us on the HAM connection for quite some time! 😆I don’t remember if there was a way to know how many emails were incoming before you connected. I only remember seeing the jibberish fill the screen and come through with just a partial sentence here and there.

April 3, Tuesday

One of those slow, drag by days. John took Bert into Loreto to catch the bus to Santa Rosalia so he can take the ferry to Guaymas to get his car and drive home to Vancouver, BC. From there, he’ll fly to Nova Scotia. His brother is dying of liver cancer and his Mum is in her 80s. We sure will miss him – really neat guy!

*I ran a Google image search on this boat, but couldn’t get any matches. Pretty cool looking ship, though!

April 5, Thursday
Escondido

Cloudy the last 2 days. Tonight is kinda chilly – I shut up the boat and have long pants on.
Venture Forth came in two days ago – yesterday was Carole’s Bday, so I baked a cake and we went over there for a while.
We were gonna go out to Monserat Island yesterday but Juan isn’t feeling too good. Didn’t go out today either – just not in the mood, I guess. N 10-12k today. Haven’t had any north wind for at least 3 weeks now.

Me and my collage wall

Bare walls are not allowed in my house 🙃

I loved my bedroom!

The giant hatch above me was the BEST.
You can see Dan’s previously mentioned drawing on my whiteboard there.

*It’s funny, just last night I had a dream I was aboard the Star and for half the dream, I was in my room. Then, these photos were the first thing I saw this morning when I woke up and started working on this to post. Perfect timing strikes again! I loved my room.

While we’re here, here are some random, cute and funny little memories coming up for me from this photo:
There was a rack for the fishing rods above my bed, you can see part of it here. Our biggest rod and reel was usually in that empty slot you can see, on the right. The reel was right there over my head and there was a number of times when I’d sit up in bed without thinking and whop my head right on it! 🥴
Next, I still remember my very first outing on the Wandrin’ Star. We took her out of the San Diego Bay with the yacht broker for a couple hours or so, and I spent the majority of the time watching the water flow by the starboard porthole which is hiding just behind my stereo there. I was fascinated that the ocean was just on the other side of my bedroom window, and I can clearly remember the sound of the water moving along the sides of the hull. It was a bit choppy, and I loved seeing when the water would splash high enough to reach the porthole.
You can see part of my hatch in the second photo. I can remember so many nights with my hatch propped wide open, giving me full view of the stars above us and a perfect waft of ocean breeze flowing through my room. Absolute magic. ✨
Finally, that light above my head sparked another memory. Also, I can still hear exactly what that fan sounds like if I think about it. Anyway, I used to fall asleep reading all the time, which meant my light would be on all night. Well, early riser that Dad was, he would see the light on in the wee morning hours and come in to turn it off. Despite it being quite loud to come into my room (the door had a tendency to get a little stuck in one spot, and then there was a little board at the base of the main mast that always made noise when you stepped on it), I never heard him when he came in. There were many mornings when I couldn’t figure out how my light got turned off (in the earlier years, before logic told me that Dad turned it off). I remember deciding that it must be fairies or an angel or something who were looking after me. 🥰 How cute is that?

April 6, Friday

Around 4 am the wind picked up to 20k west, gusting to 30+. John gets up around that time anyway – I slept through it. It calmed down for a few hours – just about the time Storm Haven, Double Time and Priority all came in. They had been on the south end of Carmen.
Bob, Cyn and Mag came by – wonderful to have them around!
Wind picked up again and it’s howling 15-25k N. There was a front going through.
Oh – Brent (OAH) came up on Sonrista Net early this morning. Said that there in Alpine they got 1.5 feet of wet snow and the power was out – didn’t get back on until 6 pm.

*Dad has always been an early riser. He gets up even earlier, now - more like 2 am. Sometimes even 1:30, which is funny because when I visit, I am sometimes just falling off to sleep as he is waking up. Like right now! I’m finalizing this at 2 am and will message him to let him know he can read it when he’s ready. 🙃

April 11, Wednesday
Escondido

Happy Birthday Jeremy, #1!

Wow, Jeremy is 1 and we missed the whole year – I hate that part of cruising.
We hear that it has been snowing off and on for a week in Pinetop, Lakeside and Show Low – yuk. Hope it’s warm again by the time we get up there.
We also have gone from sunny and warm back to cool wind and clouds – bummer.
Big get-together at Storm Haven tonight – wonderful time. It was us, Venture Forth, Priority and Double Time.
I heard from work – yes, I have a job.

April 13, Friday

The wind blew all night, 15k or so – so we didn’t leave, but Storm Haven did. They said not too bad up to Ballandra on Carmen.
10-12k NW most of the day here. Calming to 4k now at 7 pm. We plan to leave at 6 am.

April 14, Saturday

Happy Birthday Chelle.

We left Escondido at 6 am – calm all the way – anchored at noon in San Juanico.

*Our second spotting of the Californian. I didn’t write any details on the back of the photo, so I’m not exactly sure where we spotted her, so my curious mind did a bunch of comparisons of the landscape (thanks to Google Maps 3D) along Baja to try and compare the mountain scapes seen in the photos. Dad said it looked to him like just north of Escondido, and I have to agree, it seems like the most likely matchup.
I’m so excited to go for a sail on this magnificent ship next month!

The Californian

A replica of a Gold Rush-era revenue cutter and the Official Tall Ship of California

View of the coastline just north of Escondido

A better angle of what we would have seen

My other thought was farther south, north of Agua Verde. But I think Dad was right about Escondido

April 15, Sunday – Easter

Warm, calm day – pot luck beach dinner. 16 boats here.

*I have zero recollection of the kayaking group, but I’m glad I went along to help!

April 16, Monday

Jinx, Cynthia, Samie and I took 2 dinghys around the north point – just for the hell of it. Later, the north wind picked up for 3 hours or so.
On the Mariana Net we talked to Rob (VEQMKM) from Nanamuk. It was such a wonderful surprise! They were 200 miles south of Acapulco, completing their circumnavigation they started in March of 1997 from Puerto Vallarta.
We plan to at least try to talk to them every day now. They are going to Isla Clarion, then San Diego and on to Vancouver, BC.
We still – to this day – miss them a lot!

*Oh my goodness - Nanamuk completing their circumnavigation! So cool for them. Would have been neat if we could have seen them upon their return.

"Rub-a-dub-dub, two fools in a tub!"

😆 I remember Jinxie hollering these little sayings out when I took their photos. Love those girls!

"What'd you lose? Your mind?!"

I still quote this to this day when I see someone who can’t find something. 🙃

*Jinx and Cynthia were such fun ladies to be around! We always had a great time with them. I’m still in touch with Jinx, but haven’t had luck contacting Cynthia online (she must not be active on FB anymore). Are any of our cruising friends reading these still in touch with her? I’d love to be able to say hi.

April 17, Tuesday

Moved 2 hours north to Punta Pulpito. Calm, flat. Beautiful afternoon at the beach.
Seager chased a frisbee for an hour or so – he was a MESS but had fun!

Happy Samie

Hi Jinx on the left, a small cruise ship, the Wandrin’ Star, and Storm Haven on the right.

Me and our Seager Boy!

“Swim lessons”

April 18, Wednesday

Another calm day – John caught one fish – I went with him later, nothing. Hot, 90° and NO WIND.

We can’t figure out where this is. I always had it in my mind that it was Pulpito, but some photos I found online confirm otherwise. Oh well, we will sneak it in here, anyway!

*Oh man, I don’t remember this little adventure with Cynthia! Dad and Bob must have been off fishing or diving and I’m venturing a guess that Mom had a migraine. That would explain why she didn’t go with us and why I didn’t have a ride back to the boat - although I don’t know why Cynthia wouldn’t have dropped me off, since she must have picked me up?? Or maybe Dad dropped me off at her boat and she didn’t know how to operate their dinghy motor? I don’t know - strange! Anyway, I remember swimming over to my boat and letting my imagination get the best of me. This is where the dolphins had come so close into the bay the year before and I let myself assume that maybe some sharks would, as well! It was also my first time swimming in an anchorage by myself and not with others. Obviously, I made it back to the Star just fine.

April 19, Thursday

An easterly swell started rolling straight into Pulpito – so at 11:30 am we pulled anchor – along with Storm Haven and went around to San Antonio; never been here before. By the time we anchored at 12:30, it was blowing 20-30k SE. Good thing we moved. Bob and Cyn came over for Happy Hour.
Finally calmed down and we slept good.

April 20, Friday

Wouldn’t you know it – woke up and have 20k north – have to move back south to Pulpito. That’s nothing, Conception at 30k at 5:30 am, and a couple boats drug. Venture Forth is there now, but fine.
Ok, so Pulpito is still rolling us around with some swell coming in, but not bad. By noon, it’s worse and of course the north wind died.
Samie hiked to the top of the “pulpit” today with Geoff and Jan from Meridian Passage.
By the time they got back, 4 pm, all three boats were rolling excessively – so again we moved north to San Antonio where it’s much better. We all went to Storm Haven for snacks and drinks.
36 hours and 3 “Chinese fire drills” – ENOUGH!

Storm Haven and Wandrin' Star ❤

*I’m so glad I got out more this last year than the previous! We didn’t know at the time that it was our last, and I’m so grateful I didn’t choose to spend the majority of my time on the boat and in my room.
Like they say: “You don’t know what you got till it’s gone.”

April 21, Saturday

Calm this morning, so we and Storm Haven upped anchors at 6:15 and headed for Conception Bay. No wind, some southeast swell and north small swell, but not bad at all. Getting close to the point and Santa Domingo we had nice ENE 10-12k until we rounded down inside. So for an hour, we had a nice sail. Then zero until we rounded into Satispac – then north on the nose for the afternoon 10-20k – just how I love to anchor.
The wind finally stopped around 7 pm – we had all gone ashore to Ray’s for dinner – wonderful.
Around midnight the front got here. South for a while, then to the north.

*I’m not real certain, but I’m thinking these photos may be from the point at Conception, as we rounded and came into the bay. Otherwise, they’re probably just from along the outside coastline. Who knows? That’s what I get for not labeling any of my photos!

April 22, Sunday

We brought in the anchor AGAIN and moved down to Coyote Bay – where it’s said not to blow so hard.
This last couple of months John’s been teaching Samie how to anchor with the chain, bringing it in and letting it out.
Anchored here and the wind, 10-20k came right in so we bounced a little – like being in La Cruz – doesn’t get too bad.
Talked to Gene, Sun Bear, in San Carlos. It blew 30-52 knots there today – but calming down at dark. Chivato, just a couple hours out of here, also 30-35k today.
We had dinner at Bob and Cynthia’s.

*Again, I’m glad I was out helping here, and not holed up in my room! Up until the previous year, I had almost always been up and somewhat involved in the anchoring and whatnot, anyhow. I knew most of the details for anchoring, but maybe here Dad was letting me handle the windlass, letting out the chain and whatnot. I enjoyed learning these things and being in charge of various aspects of handling the boat.

Storm Haven, Coyote Beach

Coyote Beach

Looking out at Coyote Island

April 24, Tuesday

John dove the bottom of our boat – found some clams at the beach.
Heard from Chelle that in Lakeside, Jerry (across from Larry) was found dead in his house.

*Sad to hear about our neighbor Jerry. I think he lived alone, but I’m not certain.

April 25, Wednesday
Conception

Happy Birthday #1 Seager

The Birthday Boy and Maggie got to play in the surf and all that sand on the beach at El Burro in Conception Bay. Maggie gave him a box of doggie treats and they had a -sand and all- peanut butter sandwich cake. He’s fun to watch on the beach.

Happy Birthday, Seager!

Here, let me help you with that....

Seager added a lot of fun to our last year on the boat.

?, Bob, Cynthia and Dad

April 26, Thursday

We and Storm Haven moved out to Santa Domingo this morning – 1:45 – went to the beach – Seager managed to go swimming again. Came back with 4 bags of shells. ENE breeze, 10-12k all day – 4 pm switched WSW 10k, but calm all night.

April 27, Friday

After John was net control on the Sonrista, we moved the 2.5 hours up to Chivato.
Lazy, calm, very warm day. At 5 pm everyone in the anchorage – 8 boats – went to shore, to the “Mooney Base” house of Jim and Mary for a nice visit. Samie even went – they offered that she could watch MTV. They have a really big, neat house.
It was really nice to see Gene and Jo, Sun Bear, who just got back from Hawaii and finally over to the Baja.
Oh – yesterday in cutting Seager’s nails, one got way too short and bled forever. He kept licking it – so I wouldn’t let him sleep in our bed. Poor guy, had a terrible night trying to figure out where to sleep.

*Poor Seager! I bet that hurt so bad! 😥
I remember a little bit about the “Mooney Base” - but mostly just the new music videos I got to see. 🙄
Below is a photo of the whale bones that Mom mentioned they were piecing together the year before. They had it all completed by now. It was a whale calf that had been beached.

April 28, Saturday

We all went over to the shell beach – best shelling beach I’ve been to. Gene and Jo, Sun Bear, came by for a while.
Cloudy – nothing over 10k – humid and foggy morning and night.

The point at Punta Chivato

*Google Maps strikes again and I was able to identify this building, Hotel Borrego del Oro, at the eastern edge of Chivato.

April 29, Sunday

Not much going on today – back to the beach for more treasures. Pot luck at “Mooney Base” – good.
Oh – talked to Rob, Grace, Jelly and Alan of Nanamuk this morning – they were 50 miles south of Cabo, motoring to Cabo. They have officially crossed their line and gone around the world! Said the last marina they were in was Gibraltar – don’t know when that was. At 5 pm they were still 15 miles out of Cabo. They plan to be in San Diego in about 2 weeks, for about 2 weeks, then get the boat back to BC.

*I can’t imagine going back to “normal life” after sailing around the world. I had a hard enough time with the transition back and forth every year. Janelle shared some of those growing pains with me when she visited me here in Arizona a few years ago (we had the BEST time). The one I remember most was her incredulity at having to request permission from a teacher to go the bathroom during class. 😆 Like, what do you MEAN I have to ask permission to use the bathroom?!

April 30, Monday
Chivato

We waited for the little tienda to open, then motored up to the NE side of Isla San Marte. Anchored for a few hours – Bob and John dove. He came back with a few scallops.
We weighed anchor at 6 pm and headed for San Carlos. Nice flat ride across, 8-10k NNE all the way, enough to keep the sails full and not too much for me. We dropped the anchor inside of Catch-22 Beach for an hour or so waiting for the sun to come up.

*I don’t find a San Marte on Google Maps or Charlie’s Charts – I’m thinking maybe it was Isla San Marcos.

It’s a little funny, how hard this is for me to read. This was all 25 years ago, and yet, it pains me to read about this part of our life which was coming to an end, especially knowing that we weren’t fully aware it would be our last. It’s like a series finale that you don’t want to happen!
Mom and Dad had been discussing various factors - like my home schooling from Calvert Schooling didn’t go beyond 8th grade, so there was the need to figure out how I would be taught the next year. Of course I had made it fairly clear that I’d rather be in the States (I’ll trade spots with you now, girly!!!!), and perhaps my parents also felt called to be closer to home and part of the grandkids’ lives, there to witness all those lovely little firsts and whatnot.

There’s just one more month left of our adventures in Mexico aboard our girl, the Wandrin’ Star….
Are you ready?
I’m not. 😥

May ‘01

*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!

May 1, Tuesday
San Carlos

We came on in to our same slip. We are all so tired and didn’t get too much done – anchor chain cleaned and put back.
Roger and Darian, Ahora, were leaving for San Marte to see Storm Haven as we came in – missed ‘em again.

May 2, Wednesday

We got all four of the sails washed down and bagged.

May 3, Thursday

Happy Bday, Janet

I talked to Grace, Nanamuk, this morning. They have made it to Mag Bay, getting fuel and pulling out today to get farther north.

THE FLIES ARE AWFUL.

We got all the sheet lines down. Samie spent some time at the internet café.
Cloudy, cool and 10k west all day.

May 4, Friday

Went around the jetty to play with Seager in the surf. Nice day!

May 5, Saturday
Cindo de Mayo
Happy 6th Birthday, Schyler!

We took the boat to the fuel dock early – 395.5 litros, $1870 pesos - $207.00 US dollars.

Samie spent a couple hours at the internet café – talked to Goon on the computer phone.
John changed the genset oil and main engine oil.
We met Bill and Velinda Barrington at Tequila’s for dinner. They got here today for their first anniversary.
Hearing the latest version of the same old shit doesn’t make us want to hurry back.
As we came down the hill into the marina, we could see the “Three Sisters” – 3 high mountains on the Baja side, 70 miles away. Beautiful full moon coming up over the Goat Tit Mountain.
Called Schyler for his birthday, he’s sounding so grown up, 6.
Samie was only a year older when we started cruising.

*I had to do some research to figure out what Mom was talking about. I didn’t find any nearby mountain ranges by this name, but the 3D map leads me to believe these are the mountains Mom was referring to. I also highlighted the road from San Carlos to Marina Real. I miss this place. If I ever do get the Star back, I would love to sail her back to Baja and have Marina Real be her home port.

May 6, Sunday
San Carlos

Beautiful and warm, only a 10k breeze later on.
At 2 pm we went into Guaymas for dinner at Michael’s house. He is crew for the marina owner’s boat. Wonderful guy, we have known him for 3 years now. He, his wife Maria, daughter and son are all very nice. Though it’s hard with our little Spanish and their little English. Still, we enjoyed the afternoon.

*I remember going here - but of course, I only remember watching TV and one of the new song releases that really impacted me that year. I remember being moved to tears, hearing the song and watching the video. Music has always had a huge influence on me.

May 7, Monday

Calm, hot - 90°, the breeze kicked in 15k around 3 pm. Good thing Storm Haven was all backed into their slip before the breeze came up. Bob caught 2 small dorado and they shared with us at dinner.
Bill and Velinda stopped by for a while.

May 8, Tuesday

We went with Bob and Cynthia to Jax Snax for dinner, coming back into the marina we saw a bobcat walk across the road, pick up a dead kitty cat and walk off. There was also another dead kitten there.

May 13, Sunday
San Carlos

*Happy Mother’s Day, Mommy!
I LOVE YOU!! – Samie Kinney*

We didn’t see too much of Velinda and Bill, they went home Saturday.
Rick and Brent Garsha came down with several other guys and were out fishing 4-6 miles off shore in Dos Maria when the intake on the exhaust broke and they were taking on water – bilge quit and another boat went out to tow them in. Exciting – NOT.
We had Louis re-cover the front seats in the van – material and padding (a close match) and labor for $90 US. He did a great job.
Talked to my mom today, she’s gonna have Mother’s Day dinner at Janet and Andy’s.

*$90 dollars US?! That made me do a double-take. What a deal.

Miss Cynthia and me

*We must have gone out to dinner for Mother’s Day. I remember taking this photo with Cynthia. Wish we would have gotten one with Mom, too!

May 14, Monday
San Carlos

Busy with this and that. John and Bob went diving – scallops.

May 15, Tuesday

John and I went out for 5 hours with Bob and Cyn on Storm Haven fishing – only caught 2, and 1 of the dorado got away. For dinner, we all had scallops, dorado, steak, beans and macaroni salad – wonderful.
It has been really hot and no wind.

May 16, Wednesday

John was still in bed when the sun came up at 5 am – I knew he must be sick – and he was. He threw up and had the shits all night. Maybe too much sun yesterday. It has been terribly hot - 90° - and humid. He didn’t do too much – took it pretty easy.
I packed the van and got a lot done.

May 17, Thursday
San Carlos

John’s feeling better – we finished things up – at 6 am the wind started blowing, so we hustled and left Marina Real an hour early. Samie drove the boat all the way around to Bahia San Carlos and held us in a neutral spot while we waited to go into the ramp and haul out. We had 10-15k SE and small swell.
We had some paint blisters, so they’re gonna work on that. Hope it doesn’t end up worse.
Samie spent a couple hours at the internet café while John and I finished up on the boat.
Stayed at Motel Creston, had dinner with Bob and Cynthia at Jax Snax. They plan to head out Sun or Mon.
It's so hard to leave San Carlos – such a pretty place – I miss the ocean most.

Seager, being a good boy on our final ride back to the States from the Wandrin' Star.

**I type these last entries from Mom just 11 days after the 23-year mark, as it is May 28, 2024 as I finish transcribing these. Of course I cried, and am touched to know that I was at the helm of my sweet Star on our last trip together in the Sea. I can’t grasp loving anything the way I love that boat, and I still hold on to a dream of her being mine again, one day. ❤ Thank you so much for dedicating time each night to record these memories, Mom – all these years later, it means so much to be able to look back on our most amazing years on the ocean. I can never state enough how much the whole experience meant to me. I love you! **

August 27, 2026 - 25 years later:

*Oh my goodness, I can’t believe I’m finally rounding out this project, 3 years after starting it!
From transcribing Mom’s original journals to designing and completing this whole site, the process has been a great labor of love. I truly enjoyed every part of allocating, scanning and organizing thousands of photos, as well as locating our (thankfully already digitized) videos, editing them, uploading them and making them viewable here in order to really give a full perspective of our memories. My curious mind enjoyed researching all sorts of extra information, details and locations mentioned along the way. Some weeks, especially in the beginning and the end here, I went into hyper-focus mode and spent 10-12 hours per day on the project. Sometimes, I burnt myself out and took incredibly extensive breaks (erm, a full year, most recently 😬). This last month I have spent almost every day recounting the last 3 seasons of our time on the Wandrin’ Star and, as nice as it will be to know this project is finally complete, it also saddens me that it is over. All along the way, things from the stories have lined up perfectly with events that were currently happening in my life, with such impeccable timing that I couldn’t help but take notice and laugh. It has all been so perfect, and such a gift in itself. I am so glad that Mom and I kept these journals, and so very grateful for every photo and video taken, which help us keep these memories alive.
My parents and I have loved revisiting these years and even regained some memories that we had forgotten over time. It has felt like we were on this adventure all over again; seeing these places for the first time, meeting our beloved friends and overcoming challenges together. I feel like this endeavor has helped me get closer to my dad, too - keeping in touch with him about updates and asking questions here and there. Any time Mom would tell him there was a new post up, he’d get a big ol’ grin, finish up what he was doing and get to the computer right away. They both have thanked me several times for bringing these to life, and I have thanked them repeatedly for making it all happen in the first place.

I have decided to put together one more post after this: a follow-up which will share what we were up to after all this and where we are now.
So, while this is not the final post, it is the last of our memories in Mexico.


✨Cheers to my parents.
Cheers to following dreams and pursuing the path less taken.
Cheers to life on the sea and the majestic wonders of the open ocean.
Most of all, cheers to our beloved Wandrin’ Star.
Thanks for taking such good care of us, sweet girl. Thanks for harboring us through every storm, every wave and gust of wind. Thanks for everything you taught us, every dream you brought to fruition, every memory you made even better. You were never just a boat to us. You were, and still are, more like a family member. We knew your every nook and cranny. Dad had repaired, sanded, painted or varnished damn near every piece and part of you along the way. For every ounce of care we put into you, you matched our effort and took care of us.
I will always remember my first and last days with you. Who knows, maybe one day I will call you my home again and bring this whole thing full circle.✨

We love you, girl. ❤
Thanks for all the memories.

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Did you miss the beginning? You can start fresh here:
https://www.trh.space/crewsquarters

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