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.