9th December, 2013

Thank You

Halfway between Turtle Bay and Bahia Santa Maria, I looked around the boat and realized that we were carrying so many reminders of the people who love us and have helped us realize our dream. I thought you would like to know just how your gift has played a part in this incredible voyage of ours. Thank you, every one.

The picture above is the cross that stands on the hill, overlooking Puerto Los Cabos. As we were arriving, and I saw the cross, I looked at Jay and said, “You know, that is God’s message to us, assuring us that he has been with us all along.”

Below we list our thanks:

To God – for getting us here safely.

To Mother Mary – for holding our boat in her hands.

To the Channel Islands Women’s Sailing Association (CIWSA) Ladies for:
The blanket – which kept me warm on night passages through Baja Norte;
The fold-up shopping bag – it came in handy in Ensenada and Turtle Bay;
The wine glasses – that have seen several “first” toasts;
The wine carrier – used for potlucks and storage when underway.

Lisa Ruzzo – who donated a fleece headband to a CIWSA raffle which I won – it has kept my ears warm on many an evening passage.

Bonnie Chaney – for the hose, but mostly for the sundresses – After an all night and two-day journey and peeling off sweaty, dirty, clothes, it was a joy to put on a light, cool sundress. So comfy! And I can’t forget for the use of your Sailrite sewing machine – So much fun mending sails on the dock together!

Alison and Allan Gabel for:
The label maker – now I know where most things are;
The United socks – They kept our wine safe and noise free;
The coffee mugs – They kept our coffee hot and nothing ended up on the binnacle;
The super wrench & bottle opener – they have yet to be used, but sure to be useful;
The small plastic cutting boards – they came in handy when underway;
The book of helpful hints – like plastic boxes and precooked bacon from Costco – Brilliant!

John and Wendi Gouker – for our Cadenza jackets – They kept us dry and warm and we always knew where we were. (And so did the locals, in case we forgot.) And the canvas bags that carry everything we own from here to there.

To the nice lady on the dock at Kona Kai who told us where she got her folding wagon – It has carted laundry and groceries and cases of wine.

To Margy Gates – for the laminated, color chart of the entire Baja Peninsula – I love seeing the whole picture.

To Emily and Mark Fagan – for their videos that showed us the best places to visit and for sharing their extensive knowledge in cruising Mexico.

To Reidar and Eli Christiansan – For giving us their Mexican flag.

To Nanette Pecel and Bruce Lawrence – for my beautiful journal; all stories begin here. Pen to paper is still my favorite way to write.

To Senore Juan – For getting us through customs and giving us a ride into town.

To Debbie & Kevin of sv/Peppermint Patty – who sent us on our journey to La Bufadora

To Manny for giving us a ride to Maneadoro.

To the employees of Baja Naval:
Rogellio – for taking good care of us at the marina and sending us to the best fish taco cart in all of Ensenada;
Roberto – who runs the boatyard – for getting the work done in a timely manner, charged
us fairly, and was always patient and helpful;
Alfredo – our mechanic – who did outstanding work and finished on time.

To Maria – for her delicious empanadas – We enjoyed a great breakfast as we headed out of Turtle Bay.

To Pedro – The lobster was terrific! A perfect meal after a long sail.

To Don and Bobbi Lehman – for our beautiful stainless french press – a life saver on those long nights and for the hot water thermos which we have yet to use, but coming soon.

To Ceal Potts and Kevin – who told us “Always Go – Never Regret! And they were right.

To Jane and Kenny Thomas for the book, “The Venturesome Voyages of Captain Voss” which has kept us entertained.

To all the people of Channel Islands/Ventura Harbors who helped us prep our boat:
Gary & Deek at Ullman Sails – who reshaped & repaired our main
Bob McMahon – our mechanic
Steve Allport – our electrician
Kim Weir – our rigger
Steve Patterson – who painted our mast & repaired our spreaders
Meta & John at Beacon Marine
Florenzio – our canvas guy
Steve Dougherty – our electronics guru
Bruce at Base Auto Parts
Gary at Channel Coast Marine
Danard & their amazing dinghy wheels
Kenny Thomas – who designed and built our salon coffee table that both swivels and can be lowered to tuck in – it has hosted many a meal.
Jim Potts – for traveling all the way from Arizona to help tile the galley and head.

To Cindy and Bruce Walker – who drove our car down to San Diego & then came back several weeks later to see us off.

To Jane & Rick – for giving us “Charlie’s Charts of the Western Coast of Mexico”

To Eric of sv/Blue Note – for our electric fly swatter – Who Knew?!

To the all-women racing crew of Mystic Flyer – for the many times we sailed wing to wing. It came in handy coming down the last stretch of Baja.

To Gary and Andi Solt – who stored our car and let us stay in their condo when the boat was in San Diego.

To Bobbi Lehman – who lent us her husband, Don, for a month. Muchas Gracious!

To Judy-Rae Carlson and the Sea Gals – for giving me the opportunity and teaching me how to handle the boat under spinnaker – It came in handy when flying not one, but two spinnakers – I didn’t jib the boat.

To KC Matlock & Myrna – for the wine and the Smoked Salmon – “the perfect boat food” and for traveling all the way down to San Diego to send us off.

To Shea Weston – The SSB Guru!

To Gail Hines & all the women who teach at the annual Women’s Sailing Convention – for all the hours of classes; you inspired me and taught me so much.

To Downwind Marine – who has been sending cruisers south for ions – thank you for hosting seminars and parties and discounts.

To the guys at Quantum Sails – for finding a good and inexpensive solution to our age-old problem with our battens, cutting down our mizzen spinnaker (you should have seen it fly) & to Christy for making us feel so welcome.

To Duckbreath for his weather reports and to all the cruisers’ nets for the information and community.

To Stache – for the computer clinic thinly veiled in Thursday night football.

To all the authors of cruising books, especially:
Captain Pat Rains, “Mexico Boating Guide” – it has truly been our guiding light;
Kathy Parsons, “Spanish for Cruisers” – so helpful – especially when talking to our mechanic;
Michael Greenwald, “Crusing Chef Cookbook” – now I know how to kill a lobster, humanely.

To my professor at OCC who taught me navigation – you would be proud – I still use paper charts along with the electronics.

To Bob Bitchin & Jodi, and the Latitudes and Attitudes/Cruising Outpost family – for keeping the dream alive for all these years and for publishing some of my stories.

To Les Chesnau – The weather guru – for the day-long class at the Long Beach boat show – just what I needed.

To Captain Fran Weber – for everything she taught me about being a good sailor.

To Don Lehman – for teaching me about my camera and being the best mate ever!

To Scott and Gina Chattaway – for bringing the family down to see us off.

To Amy and Marco Villanova – for picking up our mail and storing our car.

To my father – who was the first to share this incredible lifestyle.

To my brother, Jim – who takes care of Mom – knowing she is safe and loved allows me the freedom to do this.

To my children, Alex and Talia – for understanding – this will be the first Christmas, ever, that we have been apart.

To everyone who has said a prayer for us.

And finally, and most importantly, to my husband, Jay – for being patient and thorough and safe – and for making my dream come true.