Welcome Aboard

We are excited to welcome our next crew ....

A return voyage for Ed ...
Sue and Bud first time Companion sailors ...

Heading towards the "finish line" for this adventure ....  more stories to come ....

Bittersweetness

This morning we are preparing for the final leg of this voyage. 

Leaving Marina Papagayo is bittersweet.

Dale and I fell in love with Costa Rica here.

It has been an incredibly positive experience here.

Celebrating 32 years 

We love the people, the country, the culture … it is a happy place.

We will always have fond memories of our time here and all of the folks who made it happen for us … 

Thank you Marina Papagayo! 

Dan and Crew you made it really special for us …

a great way to end our almost 2 year adventure!

We will be back to visit - there is no doubt!

this is the view we had every morning off the bow of Companion

It is with "sweetness" that we will soon be "home" ....

Fearsome Foursome - Friends!

When we got an email from Em that said that she and Kyle would like to come for another week on Companion - we of course said yes … they said “see you next week!”

Well - all righty!  The next email:  two friends would like to come - so as you know - the more the merrier for us! Kori and Dan are all signed up … love it!  

The Dive Bar - once again gathers friends!

As we knew the kids would overlap the stay with Sandy, Dan and the girls … no problem …. we figured it out and everyone was perfectly comfortable!

Kyle requested some land tours as well as sailing adventures … the day after Dan and his crew left us - we relaxed, cleaned up, laundry, remade the berths, swim and I did say relax - right …we were ready to go for another week of fun!

Land excursions first ….. after a good brunch!

Em took over some of the cooking duties!

Off to the local waterfall - gotta see what the locals are up to … and get a real flavor for fun … It is such a perfect spot - we just love sharing it with our people!

Picture perfect … an amazing sight … the sound of the water falling - so lovely!

 Playin’ in the cascade!

Wednesday to the Chorotega Indian Village for another visit with Willy and his family … I so love their craft.  This time Willy’s brother, Santiago gave the kids a demo - explained his family’s tradition and how they sustain themselves …. He does have a passion for his art.  Shopping  is a real treat in their backyard!

A true craftsman!

Kyle has a mountain bike buddy that now resides in Taramindo - a little surf town - so we had set up a lunch date with him … Langostino’s Beach Club - an amazing little oasis of pure bliss - lunch on the beach with amazing lounge chairs to hang out in …

Em and Kyle decided to try their hand at surfing, Kori chilled out on her lounge chair and played in the surf, Dan walked the beach, as well as Dale and I did walked the opposite way towards the open ocean … lovely …. a great afternoon.

Dan let the salt water wash over him!

While the kids walked the town - Dale and I provisioned at the local supermarket, that way we were set for our sailing days …

Up bright and early - we had planned just a two day outing … day one … fabulous sailing, anchoring, swimming off the back deck, an adventure in the water caves, and a good night’s sleep under the most amazing stars!  Saw several shooters!

Enjoying the dip off the back deck ..cheers!

After so much fun - two girls needed a rest .... the good life!

Kori ‘s first time experience on a sailboat … loved “Costa Rica, Costa Rica!” Her wonderful smile says it all - easy to be with and not hard to please - a real treat for us to get to know her!

Dan (one of Kyle’s island friends) - also experiencing his first time on Companion - 

was loads of fun and entertainment …  he sure loved his Pringels! 

 The morning brought us some frustration - as our fresh water pump was not working - actually started leaking and we had a real mess on our hands …  Kyle and Dale took apart the pump and to no avail - wasn’t gonna cooperate … ugh ... broken boat

Kyle doing his research on the boat part!

So we decided to just take a sail …. Back to the marnia as we knew we would need drinking water before to long … so with that said … off we went … but as situations sometimes turn out - we saw a few spinner dolphins and then out of no where ….

At least 2 dozen or more right near the port side - swimming, jumping, flipping - we had quite a show for at least 30 minutes - maybe more …. They are amazing creatures that never cease to entertain us!  Stingrays and turtles also appeared … lucky for us that we were forced to head back in the Papagayo Bay for dolphin performance!

As we were heading into our bay - not one but two of the fishing poles started taking off - so the fearless fishing team of "Em and Kyle" took charge and landed two good size tunas ar the same time .. a first for Companion - dual fish ... we had a feast that night!!

What a team - the Ugly Stick strikes again!

Back at the dock - the guys got real serious about fixing the pump … absolutely a no go!  To the marine store - for a new pump - the kids headed out for a hike and pool - Dale installed it - no problem - works like a champ!  We ordered another one and brother Ed will bring it when he comes down  next week - we are learning to be more prepared for this kind of “emergencies”.

The kids decided they needed a "dinghy adventure" so off they went to survey the bay, beaches and river - ending with the traditional monkey walk!

Then after all of that adventure ... a little rest and sun before they had to pack up ....

One of our Companion traditions is our log book - all guests who have spent anytime with us on our journey have been asked to add to the journal ... I am sure once Dale and I really sit down on our couch the full impact of these entries will really hit us ... so in the meantime - Em and Kori contemplate their voyage!

 It is always hard to say goodbye to our kids - but this time it was somewhat sweeter when Em said “See you in a month or so … can you just anchor out and we will dinghy over to you for happy hour!”  “It’s a date!” was our reply!

The fearsome foursome will be back on Companion soon!!

Surprise!

A surprise … most of you know I like being in control and surprises throw me for a loop! 

Well, “A Surprise” I got - Of course Dale knew all about this and worked hard at keeping a secret  … I was hanging out on the front deck of the boat and I heard “her” voice …

All of a sudden there Glori was - right here on Companion … what a surreal feeling to have my baby sister aboard our floating home …  

Sharing life with Glori is always so much fun  … giggling together, having new experiences together, reading each others minds, wanting to be together … that is what sisters want and do! 

I do think she knew I needed a “Sister Fix” …. She has a way of making life grand - always goes with the flow!

Floating with a Morning Mocha!

No words can ever express how much I appreciated all of Glori’s extra efforts to get to Costa Rica for just a long weekend! Memories for both Dale and I!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart - you make it sing and laugh till it hurts!! 

Adventures are what dreams are made of!

Adventures are what dreams are made of …. That is what Dan, Sandy, Kailee and Krislyn wanted - an adventure!  So off to Costa Rica to visit …. a dream come true to travel to a tropical paradise!

Getting acclimated to boat life!

Dale and I really thought long and hard about their 5-day visit …. some sailing, some swimming, some relaxing, some fishing, some land touring and of course the ultimate (for me) - some zip lining! 

We squeezed everything we could into each day - without making them or us to crazy …

Sandy asked me a couple of times - on different days - what time was it … I replied - oh about noon. We really had already had so much fun  … she couldn’t believe. Said it felt like it should be 5pm … way to much activity and still more to do each day … welcome to my world - time just moves slower.

Our first “young people” to be on the boat - Kailee and Krislyn - was a real treat for this Uncle and Aunt - of course Krislyn addressed her uncle as “Captain Sir Captain” whenever she needed anything and that got Dale’s attention immediately (and no I do not call him that!)   Kailee was willing after a little coaxing to try all sorts of new things and Krislyn is just plain fearless - ready at the drop of the hat to be the first in line for everything!!

Kailee learning how to tidy up the trampoline!

Captain Dale and his little first mate on this voyage!

After getting them settled into their berths - who sleeps where and how and what makes the boat work  … and of course the class on toilet flushing, etc - they were ready for fun!  Kailee, Krislyn and I got all of the prep work done and made three delish pizzas from scratch - we had a ball deciding on the ingredients … all tasted terrific!

The pizza looked good and tasted good, too!

After a good night’s sleep - ready for more fun - we actually just hung out at the pool  - Dan was a little under the weather - Sandy was searching for as much sun as she could get  - then we had this most remarkable surprise.

Krislyn - our early riser found the best seat in the house - usually about 5:30 am!

We saw the sunrise 4 out of 5 days!

Krislyn practiced for hours with new snorkel and fin gear!

Dale told me he had to go to the airport to pick up a package he had ordered … low and behold “the package” was really Glori - what a shocker!!  I heard her voice before I saw her … we all couldn’t believe our eyes …  apparently Dale kept Glori in the loop after Dan and his girls made their plans to visit so those two decided to keep it a secret from all of us … but like all good surprises - everyone else knew but us 5! 

Our sweet surprise!!  Glorianne!

The rest of that day was spent just being together - loved that!!  Krislyn and Kailee enjoyed having two aunts to hang with!!

Part of the land excursion was a trip up into the mountains - Buena Vista to take a walk on the hanging bridges in that jungle canopy - a great little walk with 16 bridges and platforms  …  saw no monkeys there … but loads of birds and of course the jungle foliage.

On top of the jungle!

Dan and Sandy on their hike down from the bridges.

A picnic lunch, back into the car and a last minute decision to take a side trip to the “local waterfall” - of course changing into swimwear in the car is another story and one that is better spoken then written - so ask me sometime!  The hike down to the falls is not an easy one - but Sandy and Dan were real sports about it and enjoyed this magical place that is not on any map  … laughing, splashing and swimming under the cascades- simply took my breath away … now Krislyn decided not to change into her suit - but "Captain Sir Captain" thought she needed to experience the mist from the falls  … oh well - she changed into her swimsuit after we got back to the car!!! 

 Two beauties - Kailee and the waterfall!

 "Look Mom - Uncle Dale made me do it!" 

These are the moments that make dreams into adventures!

The next stop - shopping in Play del Coco - a special little surf town and of course it had the sport fishing company that we needed to make our reservation for a charter with for Sunday afternoon  … after cruising up and down the street and in and out of all sorts of shops - Dan treated us to a great dinner of fresh fish at Papagayo’s Seafood - outdoor dining overlooking the street.  Really good local food!

Morning came early as the Captain has warned us that we will set sail by 7 am so we could get back to the marina early in the afternoon and why waste time sleeping. We had fun to be had!  Sailing out of our dock is a breeze, into the bay was like gliding on ice - smooth as glass. Around the Papagayo Peninsula to our special bay we anchored and got ready to play in the water, go for beach walks, a dinghy ride, a little spelunking into a water cave, shells picking and of course getting our fair share of the UV rays - plus a little lunch on the back deck … what more fun could we ask for?

 Sandy at the helm - taking in all of sights!

 Dan surveying the land and seascape!

Mischief in somebody's eyes ... not mine!

Safely back at the dock - Dale once again had to run an errand - this time I knew all about it …. He brought Emily, Kyle and their two friends, Kori and Dan to the marina … another surprise for Dan, Sandy and the girls. With a crowd that size - we rented a condo from the marina for the overflow but had a great dinner on the boat of spaghetti and meat sauce - you know how I love to cook for a crowd!!   Now that is fun for me!

Girls just chilling by the pool!

Sunday was our last full day - so with an early wake up call, breakfast eaten we had arranged for the Witches Rock Canopy Tour - the shuttle picked all of us up - 11 total … 8 of us (including me!) got ourselves all harnessed up and ready for a zip line tour of the canopy jungle … flying thru the air for about 1500 feet was the first “zip” - of course Krislyn was the first one in line … only 8 zips more to go!  Kailee on the other hand was the only one to do a zip upside down … that is right; head down - feet up … oh my!!  She loved it!  It took us a little over an hour for all 8 of us to get done … what an experience!  I only wish I would have kept my eyes open for the first "zip" ... that was the one that viewed the Pacific and of course it was the longest one!

The gang all ready for the first ZIP .......

Back to the marina in time for some lunch and then off for a charter fishing trip - Dan, Dale, Kyle fished - Emily and Kori just went for the ride!!  Four hours later - they brought home a Spanish mackerel for us to cook another day!

Hoping for a really good "fish tale" when the return!

I just couldn’t believe it - how fast the time really went and that they had to pack up and leave the next morning … Dan, Sandy, the girls and Glori …. So glad they came to see life on Companion and to share in our dream …  adventures - remember that is what dreams are made of!!

 

 Thanks for wanting an adventure and sharing ours .... we loved having you on board Companion!

A Good Neighbor!

A Good Neighbor - that is what we loved most about Glen Ellyn and we sure lucked out with Gail Banken … we moved to 673 in March of 1988 and there she was. Greeting us with a “howdy neighbor” - whatever I can do for you let me know. And that is what she did for the next 23 years …

So when she emailed us that one of her “bucket list” items was a visit on Companion - Costa Rica was the perfect choice for her!  Seven great days of fun in the sun … day sail around Monkey’s Head Island to our own little private bay for swimming and lunch and of course we are becoming "regulars" for "happy hour!"

Toasting friends!

A fabulous dinner at the Four Season’s Resort (thanks Brad!) - what fun to get all gussied up and enjoy some night life, good food and conversation!

The grounds at the Four Season's are nothing less than spectacular.

Now that was one giant glass!!  But Gail "got her done!"

We had a ball going down memory lane - remember 

that we raised our girls and Brad together .....

Then there was pool time, continual visiting, daily monkey walks, (most days Gail took two walks and became a fan of the white faced monkeys!), bird sightings, and people watching …

These are little guys that we see daily just hanging out in the trees at the marina - white faced monkeys

A road trip into the Nicoya Peninsula - Quatil, to visit the Chorotega Indians, see their beautiful ceramic artwork and check out their village ... plus the landscape on the way is pretty darn incredible.

Willy gave us a demonstration and explanation of their pottery - from where they gather the clay, sand and minerals that are used for the paint to the actual completion of a vessel ... amazing to watch a master at work.  There are 8 members of his family that work together.

Next we headed over to Tamarindo for lunch - to see the surf and surfers, even a movie night in Liberia (we had made friends with a fishing captain and his wife (another Captain Dale and Candyce - they invited us to join them)

Dale on the beach in Tamarindo - good surf!

Our last full day together we got in the car and for the third time drove up to the Hanging Bridges at Arenal … I will tell you; Dale and I will never get tired of seeing that majestic mountain - and this time we saw it in full view … beyond spectacular!

Volcano Arenal - massive and majestic

Had a wonderful hike thru the jungle canopy on the bridges that just hang in the middle of nowhere … Gail was speechless a couple of times - the sheer beauty and of course the height … she was a real trooper … confidence became her and she enjoyed the views into the canopy ...

Just a short little walk across the sky!

There is so much wildlife in the Volcano area - this little gal was just perched within reach of us - 

can't imagine how long it took her to craft that dense little nest that protected her little ones!  Quite a sight!

I think this might be one of my favorite animal pics that we captured.

Even though we were “busy” everyday - I know that we all relaxed and just enjoyed being together …
once again … friends are friends!  Nothing more needs to be said!

Girls just sharing a fresh warm brownie!!  You know how I love chocolate!

A final night celebration with plans for Gail to come back to Companion once we get her home in the Pacific Northwest!!  Bring Brad with you next time!!  We missed him!

Gail sits proudly on the back deck of Companion - a true Glen Ellyn Gal!