The Journey from Panama: Chapter Two, Morant Cays, Jamaica

Click here for Chapter One if you missed it.

Hand steering. No other thoughts or activities. Hand steering, through the night, through the day and through the night again. The first night was not too bad, energy-wise, but by the second night we were both feeling the effects of sleep deprivation. Cruising couples usually come up with their own schedules of how to share the time at the wheel at night. For us the schedule is often sleep driven. Bob will go down early (9 PM ish) and sleep for 4 or 5 hours. Then when he comes up I get to go to sleep. I can hang on longer because I know that when it is my turn to sleep I get to sleep as long as I want. 

The Journey from Panama: Chapter one, Departure

 It should only take 6 days. The weather, wind and waves should all be mild. It should be a relatively easy passage.

Lies, all lies!

Passing through "The Parking Lot" at the entrance to the Panama Canal. Apparent Wind speed, 14 knots, True wind speed (not taking in the speed of the boat) 7.8 knots,  depth 139 feet, 612 miles to go at 7.3 knots. All our clothespins clipped below the plotter.

The Mighty Jungle Part 2

 The upside of not escaping Panama has been the chance for more jungle walks. 

So join me on my walks and I will share some of the things I have seen.

We did it!

 We broke free of Panama, however Panama did not let go easily. I am tired of posting sad stories, so I will make this one a celebration. I will tell you that our predicted 6 day passage took us 11, and we arrived in the Turks and Caicos battered and exhausted. But that story will have to wait because I am so happy that we made it! I know that the disaster stories (fires, lightning, mechanical failures) are what more people read (you people have issues!) but you are going to have to be patient and celebrate with me. We are finally free of Panama after over a year and five different attempts to leave!

What's that sucking sound?

 Oh, that's just Panama not letting go of us.

This is not what leaving for a passage is supposed to look like.

In the Jungle, the Mighty Jungle

Sometimes you find a place that speaks to your heart. For me it has been hiking in the jungles of Panama, just outside the Shelter Bay Marina. The access is wonderful, the jungle begins right across the street and the paths are easy and plentiful. This is a sampling of some of the things we have been enjoying in the jungle. 

Things Happen... part 2 Through the Canal

 Transitting the Panama Canal is certainly an accomplishment to add to my life list of things to do and i have now been fortunate enough to do it three times. I was informed that I was not so special because I was not the first in the family to do so, my grandmother did it in 1914 when she travelled from Nevada to Massachusetts to christen the USS Nevada.

My grandmother, Eleanor Siebert christening the USS Nevada