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.











Sunday, April 22, 2012

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!





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