Montrachet and Her Captain!

Montrachet and Captain Terry were super neighbors!  Terry's schedule was one that had him on the move right after we got back from our little hiatus (he went to New York and we were in Seattle) ... his goal -  to be in Rhode Island by June.  Marina Papagayo was really so much more enjoyable with this sailor!!

Dale and I were sad to see Terry leave - You all know how much I like to have spontaneous friends come over and visit … sharing stories and life together.  His easy going and accepting ways were exactly what we needed ... plus he had an excellent wine cellar … a comfortable Midwest personality!!

The morning that Terry was to head out - repairs had been made, his frig fixed and stocked properly - diesel tanks filled to the brim …. I am sure he was anxious to “get the show on the road” … He left the marina as the Papagayo winds were blowing gusts of 35+ …. said a quick little prayer for him and away he went …

Dan, the marina manager and Dale help Terry prepare for the launch

We will look forward to hearing about his progress - his vessel has cell and email available all times - so hopefully he will keep us posted as he sails thru the Caribbean and up north.

Montrachet  &  Captain Terry       47’  Hylas

But more importantly -  we know that someday our paths will cross again … The "Commodore" (as Terry affectionately named Dale) and I to Rhode Island to sail into the scenic bay with the old mansions and up to New York past our beautiful Lady Liberty … can’t imagine what she looks like from a sailboat!! 

Then Terry will come and share the San Juan’s and the Pacific NW with us. … 

The adventures are limitless - even if has to be on a catamaran!

Thanks Terry for sharing Papagayo with us  …

Bucket List

Planning is everything but fate takes over at some point - and when plans that have been planned for months actually work out - it is a beautiful thing!

Leaving Seattle we were to meet Lisa from Appleton, WI in the Miami Airport to continue our journey to Liberia, Costa Rica … we had no problems getting to Miami but Lisa had to jump thru hoops or actually make complete airport location changes at the last minute to get to Miami … weather and plane issues are always a concern …

So we were very happy to see Lisa’s smiling face as she arrived at the international gate with only one request “I need something to eat!”  Plus a big hug for both Dale and I … it was a long day and even a longer afternoon as we waited for the plane to get us to Liberia and then the drive to the Papagayou’s.

We looked forward to our time with Lisa on the boat - especially since this adventure was on her “bucket list!”  The cruisers lifestyle is one of just plain patience - weather dictates all … so with that in mind we settled into our routine!

 Arriving back to Companion together meant we all had to work and organize ourselves to get ready for the upcoming week - like sweep out the cobwebs and grocery shop. Lisa - always easy to please and eager to help - I wish I had a picture to share - but she helped me clean all of the galley’s cabinets -  ahhhhh spring house cleaning!!  Then of course the “reward” was a swim in the pool and happy hour at The Dive Bar  ….  But of course we had a little appetizer before hand on the boat - Wisconsin Cheese Curds - can’t leave home without them!! 

Love the fish tacos!

Touring takes on an other meaning here in the Papagayou’s - nothing is close or really easy - so to make the rental car count we try and squeeze into one 24 hour period the most we can - so off to tour Play del Coco, dinner out, grocery shop and the scenic tour “home!” 

Citron - a new hip restaurant served us an incredible meal but what was more impressive was Lisa’s drink -as the waiter called it “Costa Rican Water!”  - Can’t imagine what was really in it but it sure made her pucker up and smile!!

Citron -  oh so yummy - a real thirst quencher!

Road trip in the late morning to see the local waterfalls  - it was a Sunday afternoon when we hit that spot - it was the place to be for the locals - what fun to see the families (at least a couple of hundred folks) swimming, hanging out with each other and just enjoying the afternoon bbqing  …  oh yes, a family of monkeys joined in on the fun - Lisa had the better camera to capture those fun little critters …

Dale and Lisa took the big plunge under the falls!
Oh... for a minute we thought that was "Fabio" - Lisa in the background!

Our week flew by - hard to explain that sitting on the boat can be exciting and exactly what was needed - rest, regroup and time to just be … I think that was what the “Doctor” ordered for Lisa - self medication!!! Stories to fill "her bucket!"

Can’t stop looking at all of that blue water - tranquil!

Lisa is also an honorary member of the “Companion Embroidery and Knitting Guild” as we knitted together - her knitting baby booties and me a ski hat for Em … productive - plus I think between the motions of the boat - the quiet clicking of knitting needles - a person just melts and relaxes to a point of no return! 

Ten days with Lisa really flew by and we were not ready to see her go home  - at least at this point spring has sprung in Wisconsin - so she didn’t have to go back to 10 feet of snow! 
Thanks sweet friend for sharing the “dream” with us!  More good times to be had in the NW! 

Winter Respite

Three-week rest is what we needed - we didn’t realize how much we needed to see the fir trees!  And the fact is; we needed to leave Costa Rica for a few days because of our visas (one can only stay in CR for 90 days in a row) … so we came home!

It was so good to see Dale’s dad - who picked us up at O’Hare for a quick lunch before we got back on the plane to head to Seattle … we had a four hour lay-over - so it was perfect!  While seating at lunch I realized ALL of my winter wardrobe was in his closet as that was the last place I had been before heading to the boat in November … so Dale took the helm - oh I mean he took over the drivers seat and away we headed to Willowbrook - 18 minutes (yes 18 minutes) we were back up in the closet that I took over gathering everything that looked warm - I forgot I had shoes with toes and heels there!  Back to O’Hare in 20 minutes - the quickest turnaround ever!! And dear sweet Father just went along with us like it was an everyday occurrence….

Arriving in Seattle we were overwhelmed with sleep deprivation. Just wanting to shut our eyes - only 90 minute wait for the shuttle that would take us to Anacortes - a little supper and away we went - I think Dale and I crashed immediately - arriving in Mount Vernon was a shock as we didn’t really “know” where we were at.

Never tire of seeing this Seattle Skyline

Sleeping in “our” Anacortes bed was heavenly that night and waking to the glorious view of Puget Sound and the firs …it was the beginning of a wonderful respite!

 The Snow Geese are pack in the Skagit Valley - just like clockwork

I love this sight as we head towards "our land home."

We had such a grand time catching up with family and friends … especially my mom and dad - it is such a pleasure to just be able to pop in and see them anytime I want!!  Can’t wait till it is a permanent happening!  Emily and Kyle - Dale enjoyed his ski trips with them as well as a trip up to Mt. Baker with our new neighbors in LaConner - Bob and Mike.  Glori and Mike are always so gracious … as is Laura and Brian … love spending time with those four!  Besides I got a little time to hug Baby Jay!

Guess I am not the only one that needed a hug!

I will let you in on a little secret … (yes, I have shared this with Dale) - I actually was missing the boat …  can you believe it … we both needed and wanted to get back to our “home” …

There she sits - second one on the right ... safe and secure!

We have planned a four month vacation in the northern part of Costa Rica - Companion will be docked for most of the time in the Marina Papagayo - this will be home for our own “floating condo” - we are lovin’ the pool and having laundry facilities is a bonus plus all the water I want is included! We have loads of friends and family that are meeting us here … we plan on taking overnight sail trips as well as day sails with a little bit of fishing, snorkeling and happy hours - also land excursions … till mid April when we will head south - back to Golfito to have the boat shipped “home!”

Marnia Papagayo 

New Dock Neighbor - Marina Papagayo

After Danylle and Andy headed home - actually while they were helping us secure Companion and keep her from rocking from side to side  - we meet our new dock neighbor - Terry … a solo sailor from California heading to Panama then up to Rhode Island … that is one long trip!!! (Been sailing since November)

We had a few nights before we were to leave to go Seattle  .. Terry was a gracious neighbor by helping us to clean out the freezer and frig - it didn’t matter what the combination was - I will let you in on a secret -  he really likes chocolate which was good for us to eat as it would have melted before we returned and Terry HAD a great wine cellar inventory - so for a few evenings we gathered and enjoyed sailing, travel, and life stories ….

Dale and Terry  - Sailors at heart!

Besides that - we have a “Glen Ellyn” connection - Terry worked with a gentleman whose daughter worked for me - once again … the world is only so big - when these connections happen I just wonder how ... Simply amazing!

Terry also was on our flight to Miami as he was heading back to the east coast -

so the journey from Costa Rica begins …