It is always great having friends join us - but extra special when we get second year veterans on board. Chuck (2011 - 3 weeks from Antigua to St. Lucia) and Peggi joined us on Companion in Golfito - our mission was to sail north to Putenaras.
We had absolutely wonderful weather days - for Dale the winds were light - with a slight breeze off the bow - waves only a meter or a pinch more - so as far as I was concerned it was a perfect way to introduce Peggi to sailing on the ocean. They named it “Pacific” for a reason!
Tina continues to be a joy on board - very helpful with her terrific attitude - she really has gotten into the rhythm of Companion … life on a boat! We have been creating all sorts of new “experiments” in the galley - she is learning to whip up some mighty tasty sauces and we have reaped the benefits of her efforts!! We have yet to toss anything overboard!
It didn’t take Chuck anytime at all to adjust back to life on the boat - he brought his tunes, books, magazines, and a newspaper - (which Dale thoroughly enjoyed reading page to page) - we knew he was back in the swing of things especially after he had his first sip of “Imperial” - the Costa Rican beer and gave Peg the tour!
Chuck is happy sittin’ on the front deck lookin’ at the water.
What I loved best about Peg - is that she really rolls with the flow. Always game for anything … sitting on the decks, taking reef watch (makin’ sure we don’t run into any big rocks or coral out there), chopping veggies for dinner, playing a couple of rounds of Oh Hell nightly, or makin’ like a "fugitive" with Chuck and Tina … (that is a story on its own! And better spoken than written - so just ask one of us - you will get five stories - all entertaining I am sure!)
Peg ever ready with her camera - can’t wait to see what she captured!
Every morning it seemed for the last week that we had to keep the journey moving forward - so at the crack of dawn - often before the sun rose - and definitely before anyone else was out of bed - Dale was setting the main sail - waking me in time to be at the helm to bring up the anchor and often on cue we left the anchorages by 6 am … it is really one of the prettiest times of day - but really… 6am?
Pretty happy guy hoisting the main!
Of course coffee is the first thing Chuck thinks about when he wakes up - or at least that is what he told me - so often the coffee was ready - he just had to wait the required 4 minutes for the French Press to do its work and then we or he was good for the day!
Time really does move forward on this boat - especially after getting the schedule down - coffee, breakfast, dishes, plan lunch and dinner menu - maybe a little prep work - all this is being done while Dale is at the helm - we read our books and chill - maybe once in a while we put out the fishing pole, then we read our books - the rotation is easy - Dale is still at the helm - I need to share this with you - the Captain now uses the autopilot since the waves aren’t so big - so he is reading too at the helm or playing Angry Birds on the I Pad! The day continues and if we have planned accurately we like to be anchored by 4 so the evenings are restful - but I will tell you - we all have enjoyed our reading time.
Chuck and Peg - enjoying the time to just be ….
Tina has gone thru a few books already!
But besides reading, Peggi has become the newest member of the Companion Embroidery Guild …
Peggi hooked on a new hobby?!!
But the next photo says it all - really … on the bow of the boat we still have our needles and project out - love that!!! Dedicated members! :)
The girls were really on “reef watch” - well kind of!
As we sailed north we enjoyed a few stops along the way - the anchorages are very remote and no sailing vessels - a few fishing boats - a few motor yachts … it is peculiar to me that we haven’t seen a whole lot of people … oh well - we have these spots all to ourselves.
The coast line for the most part is cliffs right on the waters edge with a dry forest look … the rock formations are beautiful and intriguing … to watch the surf is amazing - huge rollers that just don’t stop. Hundreds of arches created with water and sand - one of my very favorite sights to find.
Water and sand arch
We made a couple of stops up the coast to get out and walk the beaches … the surf is often so high we get a drenching going and coming back to the boat. But the walks are nice and great exercise.
Now that we are officially checked into the country at the Port in Puteranas - the port captain made it easy - we are now relaxed. The Costa Rica Yacht Club is a nice little marina with pool, bar and restaurant - feels like we are on a holiday! When we motored to the marina we had to go about 2 miles over sand bars - kind of scary when there were only inches between us and the ground … good thing we lucked out and came in right after high tide. So when we leave - high tide again!
We really didn’t have to say goodbye to Chuck and Peggi as we will be seeing them in the next week - they are extending their trip and hanging out at Playa Conchell for two more weeks- so we get to be guests - it is only 15 miles from our destination! Lucky us!
Chuck and Peg on the deck - their smiles tell it all -
Thanks for spending time on Companion!
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