Blue Jobs...Pink Jobs

Many cruisers talk about blue jobs and pink jobs.  I always scoffed at the notion that there were differences in jobs on a boat, much less categorized by sexual orientation.  So now is the time that I eat some humble pie.

Since Michael is in the States, I have learned to change the propane tank (something that Michael takes care of routinely), the fuel filter needs changing ( right Michael, again), and now for one of the most masculine jobs known to all mankind... GRILLING.


The usual when grilling is Michael starts the grill and as I have said on many occasions, " offers up a burnt offering to the gods"...I stay below and cook the accompaniments.  Michael is in the States and we had a couple of great Porterhouse Steaks that needed to be eaten.  Cynthia took my place and prepared the buttermilk biscuits and I with beer in hand took over the grilling of the steaks.

How many times has Michael asked me are you ready?  And I reply just a few minutes...turn down the fire.  According to Michael the fire is down as much as it can go and I scoff.



Sorry, you are right Michael, you turn it down and yet it continues to cook.  So tonight we had biscuits baked to perfection and steaks that were...well a little more well done than I prefer.

I do have to admit that there is a certain amount of perceived power in sitting in front of a grill, tongs in hand and a chilled beer in the other, yelling down below..."so how are those accompaniments coming?"

The Storm

Last night right around mid-night we had a storm blow through.   When else would a storm come through.  One boat on the sheltered side clocked the wind at 46+ knots.  I know that it felt like we were sailing.  No boats were damaged.

There was a lot of tree damage.  Lot's of stuff in the pool and on the grounds.  A couple of tarps are worse for the wear.

The puzzles that people work on in the palapa took it in the shorts.  The restaurant and bar had some damage.  Lights got wrapped up in the ceiling fans or ripped off their wires.  Some glasses and bottles were broken.  Tables and chairs were turned over.

The map over the coffee pot....ripped to shreds!  That will teach me to blog about it.  Fortunately, a new one is on it's way courtesy of Bob and Trish on Barnacle.


Everyone this morning was talking about the storm.  Most of us will agree, we were glad we were at the dock!

Where Do You Want to Go?

It is funny how a simple gesture can begin a tradition.

The year that we arrived at Mario's Marina on the Rio Dulce we had an amazing buddy boat, Procyon.  On Procyon were Randy and Sherry.  They moved on and got stalled in another part of the globe.  We got stalled here.  But before they left us and Rio Dulce they gifted the Club at the marina with a chart.  It was hung without ceremony by the coffee pot.  It still hangs there.  It is a little worn and some spots have been wiped bare.  It is full of fingerprints.  It is full of dreams.

Every morning or happy hour someone or a small group stop and show a route, or talk about a destination dreamed of, or a place that they have come from, or just a chance to located that location.

Not many people currently at the Marina even know how the chart got here or who put it up or why it was put up.  I'm not even sure that the current owner knows.   But I know and my Captain and Crew know.

It was just a simple gesture and a chance to get something off the boat so that there would be room for something else.  It has become so much more.  It has become the window to all those dreams...the dreams realized, the dreams yet to be dreamed, and the dreams that are coming to an end.

Thanks S/V Procyon...