Happy New Year

It has been a good year all in all for SV Dragonheart and her crew.

We had one of our best trips back to the States ever. Saw a lot of country and were reminded what a beautiful country the USA really is!

We traveled more in Guatemala and saw some pretty amazing sites with some pretty amazing people. We ate "Street Chicken" for the first time and nobody got sick! We learned that you can't put fresh french fries in a plastic bag and have them be edible later in the day. We learned that an ice cold Gallo Beer after climbing ruins is a gift from the "gods". We had lunch atop a ruin with howler monkeys talking all around us. Eat your heart out Tarzan. We tested the new engine mounts and transmission all was well.

We had some great social activities at the marina. The best being Dinner and a Murder. What a blast that was.

Of course the boaters here are some of the best in the world. We bought gifts for 80+ children for the village church. That was 8 large hefty garbage bags full. We donated 3 days pay to each and every employee at the marina. Then there were the countless private activities that each boater accomplished as their way of giving back.

So as we close out 2007 and look forward to 2008 we are healthy, happy, and the boat is working. We are planning a great cruising season and looking toward a trip to Cartegena, Columbia with our good friend Roger and Carole.

So raise a glass with us and bid the New Year in.

Dreams of Sailing Again

It is that time of year that I get itchy feet. I start dreaming of all the places I want to go.

We are starting to look at the systems and making the provisioning list. Going through lockers and dumping things and making room for other stuff.

Hopefully we will be heading out to the blue salt water at the end of January. We are thinking about Honduras and Belize this year.

Checking our waypoints and making routes. This is the best time for me.

Only one more locker in the Galley to go!

Merry Christmas From Guatemala

Hoping that you have a Wonderful day.

Enya - Silent Night (in Irish) Christmas Lyrics

One of my favorite renditions of Silent Night.

SV Dragonheart and the Full Moon

Merry Christmas everyone. Last night was the full moon. As luck would have it SV Dragonheart was alight with her Christmas lights when the full moon balanced just at the mast head. So we had our very own "Star" on top of the tree.

We hope that you all are happy, safe, and free from worry this season.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Shopping for Christmas

Yesterday was a banner day at Mario's Marina. Armed with the list from the church in the village of Esmeralda we headed for Puerto Barrios to buy the gifts for the children 80+ strong.

Four gringa women divided the list by sex and age and bought gifts for each and every child. It was a sight to see.

Today we started the wrapping process. If you can imagine 80+ children, three gifts a piece wrapped and tagged ready for delivery. That was the Cayuco Club today.

I must say that Santa visited early for me and my family. While stopping in Morales for the mail, I was surprised to have a package. It was from my brother and his partner. Christmas music on Cd. Eight discs with a wide variety of music for the season. Thanks Joe and Alex it made the wrapping much more enjoyable.

Holiday Wishes from Dragonheart

Click here to get more mini-SharkBreak widgets - www.SharkBreak.com

Sayaxche Survivor, Guatemala

Just a little something from our trip to Sayaxche, Guatemala.

Once in Royal David's City

This is the song that Carole on Androsian stumped us with at Charades last year. Enjoy the sounds of the season.
21 December

Back from the Salt Air

Tuxie is ready to leave the dock

After hosting Dinner and a Murder, Dragonheart, Up Jinks and Carole from Androsian, cast off our lines and headed down river to Texan Bay for the night and some kick ass enchiladas. Then it was off across the bar to Cabo Tres Puntas.

I can't tell you how medicinal a little salt water and salt air can be. A little squall, some rain, several boxes of wine, mah jongg on the hook, spaghetti dinner with friends, rafting up. What more could a girl ask for? I know ghosting up the Golfete under head sail!!!

Up Jinks headed for deeper water.

Sun rise at Bahia La Gracias

Feel like a new person now. So "Hey Santa" let's get ready for Christmas!

What the snubber looked like after all this time at the dock.

Dinner and A Murder

Never let it be said that cruisers just sit around. Between projects, Bridge, Mah Jongg, dinghy rides and inland travel we still had time for "Dinner and A Murder". We ordered the game, handed out characters and the rest is as they say, "History".

The evening was a great success and we are already planning the next event. It is amazing what people have on their boats. Gowns, high heels, ties, and fishnets! Not fishnets for fishing but fishnet hose for your legs.

So here are some photos from the Office Party of Lie, Cheat, and Steal!

Mambo Phillipa Macumba and Inspector Ness

Gabby Gossip Checking her Facts!

Sally Forth an acclaimed psychic, I think NOT

Holly Jolly Christmas

Starting to gear up for the big day. But first heading away from the marina for a few days of rest and relaxation.
Hoping that all your plans for the holidays are going well.

Born to be...

Suzy Snowflake

One of my favorite Christmas Carols is, Here Comes Suzy Snowflake. My parents purchased an album for me when I was a child called, "A Child's First Christmas Album". It had various artists, Burl Ives, Rose Mary Clooney, & Gene Autry, etc.

Last night at the Club several of us for some unknown reason started to sing the song. I was shocked to find out that several people had never heard of the song. Below is the original 1951 airing. Not my most favorite version, I prefer the faster, snappier version by Rose Mary Clooney.

Celebrating 148 Years

Today was the birthday of my son, David and the birthday of 2 good friends, Beth and Mike. David turned 28 and is in Texas opening a new restaurant in Corpus Christi, Texas. I miss talking to him and all our kids. Choices of the cruising couple.

Then there was the party here. I was able to collect messages, pictures and video from Beth's family and Linda on Carina helped do the Top Ten on Mike.

We did Karaoke...as only people at Mario's can do Karaoke. Detroit sound, Rock & Roll, and the Beatles. Everyone is singing at the top of their voices. Some on key and some off. I must confess that I am off key more often now than not. Too many years of smoking and yelling. Now I am a little over weight and the cords are strained. But when you stand next to your peers and you are dancing and singing at the top of you lungs it doesn't matter. Because we are all young and thin and incredible in tune!

So wherever you are celebrating one more year of waking up and finding that most of what you have is working congratulations! Happy Birthday and Many More.

Summer 2007 Road Trip Through the Windshield

We had such a great road trip this summer. Sirius Radio playing non-stop, beautiful scenery everywhere we turned. So we decided to share a little of what we saw. This was all made possible by Geoffrey on Katinka who spent a morning with us helping us be a little more technically inclined.

Thanksgiving at Mario's Marina

Once again Thanksgiving found us at Mario's Marina. We fed 50 and had a great time. For the first time we did NOT have the all night turkey watch. We were able to cook all 5 turkeys in the fire pit!

Life is good as you can see.

Sayaxche Trip

Headed into the jungle once again for a look at some Maya ruins. Our trip to Sayaxache was only the first leg. We then booked launchas for 2 seperate river trips to Aquateca and Ciebal.

Eleven Gringos hit the Peten in search of adventure.

Sometimes when traveling in Central America you don't get TV in your room. You don't get HOT water in your bathroom, even if it is private and sometimes there is only ONE restaurant in town worth eating in!

That town is Sayaxche. So what does Sayaxche have? It has a ferry that connects it to the highway. This ferry is powered by outboard motors. If an 18 wheeler is on board it's job is to drive on fast and stop quickly just at the other end to free the barge from the land and get things started. Then as the barge is crossing the river it backs up so the the front end isn't too heavy in the front to land on the other side.

So...when your hotel has a balcony and the Tienda across the street has beer and liquor and soft drinks you can spend hours watching life. The ferry crossings and rating the truck drivers ability to "push" the ferry off. Some guys are pros...one quick stop and their off! Others took 2 - 4 times. There there are the motorcycle riders who don't want to pay the ferry fee and lift and cajole their bikes into launcha taxis for the trip across. Apparently the taxis charge less. The kids fishing and then the man bathing in the river and being ever so modest. Clothes being washed and beat on rocks. The turkeys (not the gringos) walking up the road, the barge like launchas being loaded with maize. They will travel to inland Mexico totally by river from Guatemala.

We may not have had hot water or TV, but we had the best show in town. The locals were friendly, the food was good and the beer was COLD. What more could you ask for????

Is Confession Good for the Soul

Some interesting events are happening on the Rio Dulce. We have some new "Missionaries" here on the river. They are in a 70 ton Motor Yacht and if you read the blog it is just one plea for money after the other.

Their activities have ignited a fire storm of blogs and bulletin board postings. It is "THE TOPIC OF CONVERSATION". For those of you that know me, yes, I am involved. I have been on and off my soap box several times.

If you are interested you can view the website at: http://www.windword.ca/

Last night two tourist launchas had a collision on the river just after dark. One tourist is missing. The other eleven people who went in the water were pulled out safely. It was brought to our attention that the "Missionary" was in the forefront of coordination for the search of the missing man. Yes, as stated that is what missionaries do. It is also what everyday good people do without being asked and without asking for money.

I find it interesting that Jesus was able to spread His Word without donation. It is we, who can't seem to find a way to spread His Word without constantly asking for donations. When I give money I want an accounting. I try to find out as much as I can about the organization that I am donating my money to to spend on the poor ,the needy, etc.


I believe that the important thing is not so much what you do, as why you do it. The pre-suppositions that motivate us are the true motivations. It is easier to fool the public than to fool ourselves. We do it on a daily basis using varies methods: denial, rationalizations, transference, projection, etc.



So here is my confession. My motives are not always honest!



Just last week I had the opportunity to help the owner of Mario's Marina take 2 of the employees to the City for shopping and some discussions about costumer service. It was a great idea and it all worked out well. They were able to see what was available at cheaper prices for the restaurant and the tienda. We had a good time and I am sure that they had a good time also.


Here is were it gets sticky...several of the marina clients had opinions about the trip. Some thought it was a good idea, others did not. We all discussed how great it was going to be to "show" them the big city for the first time. We were going to have them stay in a hotel that was North American. WE WERE GOING TO IMPRESS THEM!



We had good intentions. But, as a very wise woman has told me on several occasions, (thanks Mom) The Road To Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions. What we did was a good thing. We are now developing leadership skills and helping our staff grow and take more responsibilities. We have empowered them and you can see the results in them and in those that they work with and supervise. It was a good thing. I question the chest puffing that went on in my heart for that brief moment. "Look at me, aren't I a good person." Really I am a good person most of the time, but sometimes I let myself down and have to look at myself in the mirror.



I looked really hard today as it is my Birthday and what better time to evaluate who you are and who you want to be. Overall, I am pleased. I still believe that people are good and they want to do the best they can. I also believe that sometimes charlatans can do good things. It doesn't change that fact that they are charlatans. Just like my lapse in my motivation it doesn't make me a bad person.

Adventures in Colorado and Utah

We have enjoyed so much visiting with our family during our summer vacation. My sister, Helen and her husband, Einor took us out to Oatman Arizona. It is a wonderful Ghost Town that is now inhabited by wild donkeys and tourists.

On our drive to Arizona we passed through ski country. Funny how those runs look without snow.

Land formations were amazing! We never tired of the splendor.

Destination Deadwood

Leaving North Dakota behind after a wonderful visit with Cindy's parents we hit the road and head for Deadwood South Dakota.

Deadwood sure has changed since Cindy last visited after High School Graduation! Gaming is everywhere and it is so commercial. Tho' we did enjoy dinner and a musical show dedicated to "Wild Bill" and Calamity Jane.

First thing the following morning it was up to Mt. Moriah to the grave sites of "Wild Bill" and Calamity Jane. We spend a good hour and a half wandering around the cemetery and locating all the famous and infamous buried there. The morning was cool and we had a small rain shower just as we were ready to leave.

The next site was the Adam's House. A lovely Victorian that was at the social epicenter of old Deadwood. Unfortunately they did not allow photos inside the house.

Ace's and Eight's or the Deadman's Hand. Just a sample of the the offerings and "Wild Bill's" grave.

Heading west to Wyoming we stopped at Devil's Tower. We hiked the base and enjoyed the mountains and the cool air. We watched the climers on the Tower and marveled at their climb.

Now we are in Denver for a couple of days visiting Cindy's brother, Joe and his partner, Alejandro. They live in a beautiful home that was built in 1900!

Iowa

Mary, Michael, and Ted...

We had a blast and ate way too much in Ames. Sweet Corn was for sale on every corner and then there was the Farmer's Market with fresh veggies and pies and bread and wine and cheese and well you get the picture.

We got a bottle of wine, some cinnamon rolls and the all important Rhubarb pie. If you are not from the Mid-West then you might not be familiar with rhubarb. It is tart and tangy and grows on a stalk similar to celery. The pie is long gone but the memory is alive and well. My hips are evidence to the goodness. We also had Iowa Corn Fed Beef. Yes, Michael now has had his steak fix and is so very happy. We also had Iowa pork chops that rivaled the ones at the Cayuco Club.

We had plenty of time to sit and talk and catch up and then Mary and Ted had to go back to WORK! We had to hit the road and head to North Dakota.

Busted Flat in Fort Stockton

And On To San Antonio....


If you have to add air to your tire every other time you fill-up with fuel then may-be there is something wrong with the tire. We know we have proven this little known fact.


Yes, the morning when we went down to the car in Fort Stockton we had a flat tire. OK unpack the trunk and get out the spare. Then try and find a tire place and get it fixed. Hey we aren't in a hurry we are cruisers.

The good news is it only cost a $80 USD. That is the price of a good steak dinner for 3 so we felt like we got a deal!

One of the many windmill farms on the mesas of New Mexico. Wish we had one for the boat!

All our Kids with partners and their kids! We had such a great time with everyone. The little guys are Jake and Chance. Lilly is in Front of David. Sarah in the white is in front of Michael and Kelly is behind Michael and me. Cynthia is beside Tine and Jason stands next to Tina. The Chinese Buffet didn't know what hit them!

It seems that we can't get away from Karaoke. Sarah and me singing together. We managed to downsize the storage shed but the tropical rain kept us from unloading everything that we wanted to. It's ok we always have next year.

Tina and me and Michael and Erin. Kelly and her dog, Scrappy.

We can't thank Gloria enough for her hospitality and throwing one great party for us and our kids.

So we have to pack up the car and head to Iowa to see Michael's sister and her husband, Ted.

Meteor Crater

The great thing about this trip is that we are driving by some really incredible scenery and we stop when something catches our eye. The SIRUS radio is fantastic and we are singing along to James Taylor's "You've Got a Friend" it is kind of like karaoke on wheels.

So here we are driving along and we see the signs for Meteor Crater. This is a must stop. Who knows they may have some Indian jewelry that we haven't already purchased in one of the numerous Gift Shops or Trading Posts that lure unwary traveler in all along the hi-way.

A piece of the actual meteor that hit 50,000 years ago.

Our astronauts train at Meteor Crater so that they are better prepared to work in craters on the Moon and planets.

One of the first scientists that investigated Meteor Crater upon NOT discovering the meteor under that ground (where he thought it should be) decided that it was a volcano. Wrong! We have Mr. Shoemaker to thank along with Mr. Barringer for the correct answer: METEOR! Mr. Shoemaker was the first US Citizen to be buried on the Moon. It was his dream to be the first geologist to go to the Moon. That was not to be. NASA though did honor him by taking his ashes to the Moon.

The hole left in the ground. Some of the rocks that were thrown into the air on impact were the size of houses! The dimensions of the impact site are: 1.5 miles across, 500 feet deep or a 20 story building could stand in it and the diameter is 1.186 km.

The crater as seen from the air. This is a must see stop. The geology is fasinating and the gift shop has great geodes.

And don't forget to stop at the Subway Sandwich Shoppe for your free cookie!

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Or Does Every Meal Cost $30?

We landed in LAX and it only took 2 hours to get our luggage. Yes, they managed to not only misplace one of our two bags but to lose an entire cart of luggage. 15 people lined up in front of United is not a pretty sight. We were happy about our lay-over.

Arriving in the Las Vegas Airport after a 6 hour lay-over in Los Angeles was a little different. We thought that we had landed in an oven! No Sh-t! It was so hot and dry that we couldn't breath. Thank God the truck had air conditioning. I seriously thought that my eyes were sucked dry of all their fluids. It was so bad that I had to introduce a foreign fluid to my system, yes, water was drank in large quantities.

Helen and Einor put us up and took us to Wal-Mart for just a few things. Did I forget to tell you about the Mexican food? The Serrano beans were to die for and I had several conversations with my waiter entirely in Spanish. I did beg for the recipe for the beans but he gave me some crap about a secret family recipe and having to kill me if he told me. Sorry, Jim, no new recipe for the Cayuco Club.

Heading for the Grand Canyon....

The car is packed and we are on the road. Suffering from the altitude, the heat and the incredible dryness we are ready for our drugs and water to kick in. Finally we start to feel normal and the cameras are around our necks and we have had our first $30 lunch soon to be followed by the $80 dinner, the $30 breakfast and back to the $30 lunch. This will be a continuing cycle of meals.

There are not enough words to describe the Grand Canyon. The pictures do NOT do it justice, but we will try. There are some great shots of rain coming down the canyon. The lightening was awesome and a little frightening. For a brief minute we thought we were back in Guatemala.

Biltmoore Express

Sitting on the beds and watching TV and getting ready to fly to States. Such mixed emotions...we are ready to see everyone, but a little concerned about all the driving. We haven't done a lot of driving lately.

We day before we left the Rio we wanted to run the engine and fully charge up the batteries. Much to our dismay...yes there was talk of scuttling the boat, we discovered the the fuel tank was full of water! How did that happen you ask? It appears the the deck mounted fill port was not quite closed and with all the rain that we have had it virtually rained right into the tank.

Michael spend until 2am polishing the fuel and getting the water out. At 5:30 am on the day we were to leave we finally got the engine running!! We couldn't leave the engine with water in it so we were very relieved that it all worked out.

So now our bags are packed and were ready to go and we are looking forward to seeing friends and family and the USA. We hope to add pictures along the way so stay tuned.

The 4th of July 2007

Celebrating the 4th of July is always special for us. We remember past celebrations with family and friends. And think about what a great country we call home. Politics aside we are lucky that this is our country. This year we celebrated the Birthday of America in Guatemala with 65 friends here on the Rio Dulce.

What do a group of Americans, Brits, Guatemalans, and other various nationalities do? Well you start out with a 125 pound pig. You have the pig butchered and cleaned and then you put it in a pit and cook it. What a pig it was! Also on the menu that day were, hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, cole slaw and watermelon.

Once again the Sweet River Band provided live music and the place was rocking with dancing and singing. We had cayuco races that provided laughs for everyone. The Ring Toss competition was a success and everybody had a great time.

Don't forget the fireworks....boy were they something! We had a solid 45 minute aerial display and nobody or any property got hurt.

The best part was the friendship and of course standing hand over heart and singing the Star Spangled Banner. We hope that your 4th was a great as ours was. Happy Birthday America!!