Farewell to Belize

Farewell to Belize

Hard to believe that the day has actually arrived that we will shove off for the dream/vision/ and adventure that Dale has sculpted for years.  We will miss our Belizean friends that have taken such great care of our “Companion” – they are celebrating our journey, as they know “Companion” should perform well. 

We are starting the voyage with a sail to the Rio Dulce in Guatemala – it will be a two day trip as we will need to go through immigration in Livingston and then actually motor up the river to Fronteras (25 miles) where we will make our way to RAM Marina.  Max will leave us at this point for 3 weeks of traveling in Guatemala.  Dale and I are on “work detail” – having the solar panels, wind generator, and some carpentry work done – mostly to make our life aboard more comfortable and manageable.  Our boxes should be waiting for us at RAM that we had shipped down from LA (thanks Andy!)  full of supplies – especially peanut butter (Max’s staple while on the big voyage!)  I have stocked the boxes with plenty of small knitting projects (and marine toilet paper – just in case you were wondering)  - in order to keep the hands busy and the mouth closed!!   

Dale is happy that I have not overloaded the boat with “stuff” – the stock of provisons are on board and we still have room for more – which is good – it will be fun to see what the shops in Fronteras have to offer – I am hoping that we can take a day or two and roam the countryside while there. 

Dale and Max are starting to collect rainwater – it is a scientific effort – once a teacher always a teacher….. we will see how the cisterns hold up!!!  It will be interesting and entertaining, that is for sure!!

Max has sorted through all of the fishing lures, put new line on the reels, bought a gaff, and is anxious to catch our first meal – we are kind of counting on it for tomorrow’s supper!!  You should have seen his smile while cleaning the tackle box – priceless!!  :)

To our family and friends – THANKS – just one huge thanks for supporting us and loving us….

Farewell to Belize  …. We begin …..

k

Sign on the dotted line

Today was a big day for Dale... he signed on the dotted line... we can officially take Companion out to sea... she is ours!!!  We - Dale, Max and I are ready to start .....

We celebrated at the Barefoot Bar.... Max and Dale enjoyed the spicy cilantro chicken burrito... and a couple of Belikins.... it was a good night!! And a fabulous sunset!!

Kassie at the Barefoot Bar with us - she is the proprietor and her hotel was our safe haven during the Tropical Storm - Matthew.

All in all it was a good day....

Matthew from Hurricane to Tropical Storm

Matthew woke us up this morning 5:30... with winds in the low 30 knots - blowing the thatching off the base camp roof - sheets of rain .... the decision was made ... leave the base and head to a cement hotel (also Moorings needed to work on the boat) ... arrived about 10:30 - sat around for an hour - took a walk - surf was over the road - flooding the edge of the peninsula - ripping the dock apart where we use to keep Companion  - we went in search of lunch - rested and waited - then the sun came out the surf was as calm as ever - all within two hours - really crazy - it is now a lovely evening - no humidity - no wind - no rain and calm seas..... we are in need of a beer and dinner - looking forward to tomorrow.... what a way to start this journey....
k

Storm dimishes - day 2

Well - day 2 was full of excitment  - thought we were going to head for higher ground - rented a PT Cruiser - went into Placencia for breakfast - came back to find that the storm headed south of us - relief - the boat did not go into the mangroves for safekeeping - the staff works on Companion because most of the other boats were taken into the mangroves - Max and Kate cooked dinner tonight - delicious veggie burritos - love boat food!! we will sleep on the boat tonight - maybe we will have some rain  - but it is calm and quiet here now  -  We are planning on inspecting the boat further tomorrow - taking inventory and organizing our "stuff"... all is well on this new homefront!!   One of the good things about all this rain - we will make sure our hatches do not leak!!  Sleep tight friends!!  k

In Belize

Kim and I arrived in Belize about 10 AM and at Moorings base by 12:30. We have heard from Max and he will join us at about 6 PM. The base is actively preparing for Hurricane Matthew, which was just named as it was upgraded from a tropical storm. The plan is, Moorings will move the boats into it's hurricane hole tomorrow and then if the hurricane looks threatening we will drive inland. I have a rental car coming tomorrow and it should not take too long to move off of this peninsula. The hurricane if it hits here should hit about Sunday. I knew this sailing journey was going to have some excitement, but I was hoping to have my sea legs first. Renee here at the base believes we should be fine upland and we are still hoping Matthew turns north.

Hurricane Matthew actually turned south and came ashore in Honduras, so by the time it reached Belize it was a strong tropical storm but still did significant damage with about a 2 foot storm surge. 

Tentitive Sailing Itinerary

Proposed  Movement of SV COMPANION

 from Placncia, Belize to LaConner WA      Sept. 2010 to Sept. 2011

This is a tentative schedule

Arrive Belize  9/23 

Leave Belize  10/1-3  Travel to Rio Dulce, Guatemala

      Refit in Rio Dulce – Radar, add electronics, solar panels/wind

      generator, plumbing

Leave Rio Dulce  Nov. 3-7 to Aruba might sail north toward Jamacia 
         (stop if need fuel)  14-18 days Aruba then onto Curacao & Bonaire

Leave Bonaire Nov. 25 toward Grenada (2 ½ days) explore Grenadines
          arrive St. Vincent about Dec. 14

Arrive St. Lucia for Xmas holidays  Dec. 22 (2 wks) Jan 4  Glori/Ben,Emily

Arrive Martinique Jan 5  to Jan 27     Dan/Sandy 16-20   Danylle’s  Vacation  Jan 22     

Arrive Guadeloupe  Feb 1 to Feb 20              Alonso’s  Feb 15-Mar 1 

Arrive Antigua / Barbuda  Feb 20 to Mar 3

Arrive St. Maarten March 3 to March 15

Arrive St. Croix March 16 to March 20 leave for Panama     Ed ?

Arrive Panama March 26 Colon wait for transit – hopefully within 2 wks

Arrive LaPax Mexico by May 1 Leave May 15

Arrive San Diego  May 24  sail around San Diego / LA etc for a month

Arrive San Fran  July 5 or 6

Arrive  Seattle  Sept. 1

  

Finishing Details before departing.

9/10/10 - Anacortes WA
Kim, Mike, and I are finishing some last minute detail for our voyage. Last weekend we had an awesome time at our daughter's wedding in Portland. Thank you to all of our friends who made it a special event. We hope to post weekly on our progress.