A short history of SV Companion -
In April of 2005, Kim and I signed an agreement to purchase a Leopard Catamaran and place it in the Moorings Charter Program for 5 years.

Buying the last 40' Catamaran built in 2005 by Robinson and Caine of South Africa, the boat was to be chartered in Placencia, Belize. It arrived in Belize in late November, and was used by Moorings Chartering until June of 2010. During that time, we were able to sail our boat many times, and have a few charters in other parts of the world; LaPaz Mexico, Abaco Bahama, British Virgin Islands, Nice France, Gocek Turkey (Turquoise Coast).

Max , our nephew and his dad, Mike will be joining, Kim and I for part of the voyage. We are also looking forward to meeting family and friends along the way.

Our blog is intended to share our journey, memories and information to sailors.

Enjoy, Dale & Kim

PS: 10 years after the start of our voyage, we are living in LaConner with SV Companion and the adventure continues.











Wednesday, March 21, 2012

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! 

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