Golfito's Rain

After seeing SV White Falcon (Veronica and Andre) off at the fuel docks downtown, some friends and I filled up the dinghy (RDS dos mas tres... or whatever Randy has named it) with fuel, beer, sodas, water, gatorade and some snacks to find fish and failing that, a beach. Even out in the big bay, Golfo Dulce, the sun was tough on us without even a whisper of breeze to cool us. My umbrella, which is a must have piece of equipment in this town, served well as a parasol. We trolled with my Ugly Stick and a huge lure along big bay up towards Abraham's estate, where we entered a smaller bay with two fishing lodges (also Abraham's). About two hours later we did not catch a thing "Ni un zapato" (not even a shoe!). We spotted a little beach which turned out to be gravel. It appeared that there were a few towels or clothes spread out on part of the beach. Several palms lined the shore and a few little streams offered nice landings. My skipper however chose to land in the middle of the beach and swamped the dinghy increasing its weight three-fold. We tugged and pushed and pulled trying to haul it up the beach and out of the beach break. Suddenly, as if out of no where, I smallish and slight man with no teeth, offered to help. The old guy was surprisingly strong for his size and the dinghy was safe from the breaking waves. We offered him a beer and he invited us to chat in the shade. His name is Miguel, and he lives alone in a one room hut with a corregated tin roof, a nice breeze surrounded by a colourful garden and then jungle. He uses the streams for drinking, bathing and laundry, which was what we saw drying on the beach. The only access is by water taxi since his outboard engine recently died. He loves his paradise and relishes the solitude which we sensed. So after he toured us through his property, showed us various plans included a giant if not monsterous bamboo thicket, we launched "RDS dos mas tres", tossed him another Imperial and left him in his little piece of heaven. Mentioning this encounter to Sr. Abraham, he said, "Oh, that's Miguel, my neighbour". I guess he would be a neighbour since he's the only human within 10 miles of Abraham.

And today I was almost frightened by the noise and duration of the "aguacero"; rain storm. I walked to the panaderia, well almost ran, as I was racing the storm. By the time I bought my french bread and some sort of empanada made with a light pastry, the onslaught had already begun. Winds clattering the corrugated roofs and bearing the undersides of the you teak tree leaves. The Ticans hide under bus shelters, overhangs, the gas station, trees and store entrances .... and they wait and wait.... and wait. I tried this tactic with no success the torrential rains kept pounding down. Eventually I found a little red taxi to take me and my french bread to Fishhook Marina. The floor in the back seat had about 3 inches of water. I guess he had some holes in the floorboards. It was 600 colones for a distance of about 2 blocks but it was worth it as the rain continued for another 45 minutes.

Everyone speculated that such an early downpour (1 pm) bode well for a nice afternoon and evening. There have been showers all day and in fact, it's almost downright chilly.

Annie just dropped by to borrow more videos, a common pass time during such bad weather which is why she comes to me to increase her selection.

Hiking In Golfito

I finally found  nice hike/walk in the jungle.  It's actually a gravel road but it's steep and the rewards at the end are beautiful.  From Fishhook Marina and Lodge you continue on the main road away from Golfito passing a soccer (football) field on your left that has artificial turf.  Just after that you turn left on a gravel road beside a small stream.  Accross the stream is another soccer field.

Wear good shoes as the rain, moss, leaves and other tropical growth make the footing slippery at times.
Cathy and Dave from Andante met me at Fishhook at 6:30 am to start the 2 hour trek.  The relentless rain from last night made the air thick and hot like a quilt or a blanket.  Within minutes we were soaked in sweat and the sun was just up. Even the shade of the jungle did not offer relief from the smothering heat of the damp tropical heat.

Within 45 minutes we had peek-a-boo views of the little gulf and the mangroves at the end.  When we reached the look out, we could see the town  of Golfito and the Golfo Dulce.

We saw Toucans flying about but but the were too far off to really see them even with binoculars.  Just as we were starting our decent, one of them flew to the lower branches so we could see him.  He didn't even flutter a feather when a motorcycle passed along the bumpy road.  I managed to get several photos of him before he found a better roost.  I've heard that the locals eat Toucans. Impossible!  It has to be an urban myth.

Golfito, Costa Rica Take II

This blog site is not too user friendly, so excuse the set up and the order of the photos.  On April 23, 2010 we left the port of Panama City.  Randy was reluctant to set sail on a Friday but we went anyway. We calculated about 5 days to get to Bahia del Sol, El Salvador.  Olga, Randy's sister came down for this leg of our delivery of Lost Elvis back to Paradise Village, Mexico.  We also have a Columbian crew member, David Jose Jiminez Pereira. David and his dad have been working in Shelter Bay and in Panama City, on Lost Elvis (metal, varnish, wax and cleaning) for the last three months.  They are like family.  David begged us to take him to Mexico on our voyage. We told him that we could not pay him but we would fly him home at the end of the trip.  His father agreed and now we have a 25 year old going on 18 to look after.  He's a good kid and a hard worker.

Randy arrived in Panama on April 19 to find that the generator wouldn't hold any oil, and even worse, the ice maker was kaput. We needed a marina badly so we could get power and hopefully fix the generator.  Flamenco Marina, the only marina in Panama City, was full. Thankfully,our friend Taylor Housser was hauling out his boat, Bakatawn which freed up a slip for us to use for four days. 

We found a good mechanic who goes by the name of  "Fish".  He fixed the crank case for the generator.  It looked like new.  After he installed it we discovered that the generator pump was leaking and needed an complete overhaul. Fish found a "tailler" that could fix it on a priority basis, if we paid a bit of a bump.  After about $600 in labour, bribes, parts and other nonsense we were back on track... except the ice maker which is still on strike.

We left Panama for El Salvador well provisioned and mechanically sound or so we thought.  Right in the middle of the shipping lanes for the canal, Otto, our auto pilot decided to drive in circles.  Out come the manuals.  It turns out, our new flat screen TV, which is mounted about 12 inches away from the autopilot sensor, interferes with the compass of Otto.  So now when we are under way, the TV resides on our bed.  So much for watching movies on long crossings.

Panama to Isla Coiba was a beautiful sail.  Light winds, calm seas, blue skies. As we were reveiwing our fuel consumption (divide by 2.5, carry the one.... both of us are math phobics), we got slammed by what we thought was a Papagallo.  It turned out to be a tropical storm carrying winds at gale force.  It was tracking us or we were tracking it.  For over 20 hours we took 6-8 foot waves on our beam at 4 second intervals.  Our portholes and gunnels were underwater each time we were slammed. Two of our crew members were in their bunks for over 18 hours with no food or water due to sea sickness.  Randy and I finally decided to abandon our El Salvador plans and head for Golfito, Costa Rica so that the boat and crew could rest and recover.

We arrived at Fishhook Marina and Lodge at 9 am on Sunday morning; exhausted.  Lidia, the manager helped us check in.  She returned to advise that Jose David, our Columbian crew needed a visa and would have to be sent back to Panama to apply for one which they couldn't do because of road blocks.  I explained that the only reason we are in Costa Rica (beautiful but really expensive) is because David and Olga were severely sick.  They were dehydrated and had not eaten for 2 days.  Immigration finally acquiesced and has allowed Jose David to stay in Costa Rica but he is not allowed to leave the boat or the marina.  Of course, this is nonesense but on the other hand, you don't want to risk it in a foreign country.  It really irritates me because he is a good kid and as long as he lays low, I'm sure he could walk down the street or go have lunch at a little "soda" but they won't let him. 

Before Randy returned to work, we went to Zancudo fishing lodge throught the mangroves to have lunch and swim in their pool and the next day, to Abraham's house out in Golfo Dulce (where we saw wild Guacamayas eating almonds) followed by "pescado entero" at "Bar Restaurant Juan" accessible only by boat/dinghy. 

Randy left for work on April 30 after a failed attempt the day before (no airplanes due to weather).  Thank goodness for Skype. We can chat for free when Randy is in Kuwait, Hong Kong or Africa.
David and I are working on the boat; cleaning the bilge, the dinghy, the seat cushions and plastic glass.  David is also going to put another coat of varnish on the rub rails.

Two days ago I went to the duty free zone here in Golfito.  It's about a tenth of the size as the Zona Libre in Colon but it has some good deals on electronics, alcohol and Italian housewares.  The process is like a wild goose chase however.  It's best to use one of the "facilitators"; unofficial young men who will lead you through the paper work and help cart your purchases around for about $15.

I met a nice couple heading for Panama; Andres and Veronica.  He's German and she's Tica.  This afternoon we will eat local ceviche while I give them the low down on Panama. Using Stanley as their maritime agent to get them throught the Panama Canal will be my first pointer and purchasing Bahaus' Panama Cruising guide, the second.

Golfito seems a little cozier and slightly less gloomy than last year; a few more smiles, an occasional unprovoked "Buenas Tardes".  The general sadness that douses the town like it's tropical rains is as damp and dreary as the Golfito afternoons.  I believe that when the National Fruit Company pulled up stakes here in the 80's, some of the town's happiness clung and left with it.

Isla Contadora, Panama

Isla Contadora is one of the Las Perlas Islands in the Golfo de Panama on the Pacific side.  It's a 15 minute plane ride from Panama City; four hours by sailboat.  It's a popular get away for the city dwellers and those who are better off.  Las Islas Perlas used to be loaded with oysters and pearls; hence the name.  They were stripped of their jewels and are now a Panamanian tourist destination.  After transitting the canal we could not sit still and we had to catch up with Alex and Leah on Reflections.  We hadn't seen them since the early fall in Vancouver. They were about to launch for the Galapagos and it seemed silly not to see them off when we were so close.  We snorkelled.  Randy and Alex caught fish with their spear guns.  I cleaned and cooked our fish but Parrot Fish have the texture of mud and taste like sand.  We found out later that because they eat coral; they are not good fish to eat.  Besides, I told Randy not to kill the pretty fish.  Later that night we went out for dinner to a fancy hotel restaurant where I ordered a whole snapper for $14; normally they are $6 or less.  We stayed for two nights.  By then our friend Paul Belna was a regular salty dog.  We said good bye to Reflections at dawn and made our way back to the big city.  The winds were about 15 - 20 and the seas relatively calm.  It was beautiful.  For contrast, on arrival to Panama, all three of us took over our friend Matt's house; listened to music, made pizza went for steak dinner and yes, even did laundry.  Thanks Matt for always being such a generous host.  Sometimes we feel like crusty cruisers but Matt always welcomes us. 

Panama Canal Transit #2

Here is Lost Elvis ready to go through the canal again.  It's the second time with us and the 5th time for her.   We have had two Columbians working on our boat for the last month or more; Jose y Jose Jimenez, a father and son team.  They re-caulked and varnished (5 coats) the cockpit, the companion way doors, the helm and the table for $700 plus materials (which are cheap).  Novi, a boutique Home Depot sells Marine Varnish at a good price.  Because Jose and Jose David needed a lift back to Panama City, they came through the canal with us as line handlers.  Papa Jose drove the boat over to the flats; he's a professional captain.  Our first advisor, Fernando, was outstanding.  He is a born again Christian, and immediately blessed me upon learning that I was a heathen.  He also blessed Randy and I as a couple and the boat on her journey; so we've got that going for us.  Honestly, Fernando was smart, interesting to talk to and was excellent and organizing our flotilla of two boats as we transitted the Gatun Locks.   It went off without a hitch. The second advisor who arrived at 6 am the next day, Hernandez, a gringo looking fat guy who claims to have been advising for over 20 years was USELESS.  He even argued with the advisor on the other boat.  He almost crashed us into the wall and then tried to blame it on the two Captains who had a system that worked flawlessly until fatty decided to scream out commands.  Again, my fellow cruisers (oh how I despise that word), they are ADVISORS.  They do not know your boat or any of the boats in your raft.  If they provide ill advice; ignore them and tell them to stand down.   Or in our case, give him more to eat and tell him to stand down.

Randy has been working like a fiend; 30 hour days with little rest.  While he has travelled around the world at least twice he has had no down time to enjoy it.  What little time he has; he tries to rest and even that's a challenge when you are in a different time zone every day.

He got very sick in Ethiopia which he discovered in Cairo; dangerously high fever, gastro mahem in every respect.  After a day of IV, Cipro, and about 4 other meds, his fever came down to 102 F and he wanted to come home.  Being sick to the verge of hospitalization in Cairo is probably the last thing any  non-Muslim person would ever want.  We owe a HUGE THANK YOU to Sue and Sarah in Crew Scheduling at Southern Air for getting Randy home safely and as quickly as possible.  He is still very, very sick but at least he's home thanks to our friends at Southern.

Ship Wreck at Shelter Bay

This the sailboat that sat on the reef for a day and a half.  The poor guy must have been just sick to his stomach.  The hull and the rudder are severely damaged.  There is actually a hole in the hull but it's difficult to see in this photo.

Apparently they took on lots of water.  It was up to the floor boards.  They have a lot of work ahead of them poor guys.

I didn't ask too many questions as they were probably annoyed with everyone coming by with the same comments and questions.  I simply asked if the crew was fine and not injured, other than egos.  Thankfully, no one got hurt.

The propellor and shaft are fine.

Shelter Bay Hen Party

Joan on Panchita organized a wine and cheese, manicure pedicure party at the end of D Dock at Shelter Bay Marina. Each woman introduced herself and summarized their boating history. At least three women had completed or were very close to completing a circumnavigation with their spouses. Nancy will finish theirs next fall and Lynn on Canic will complete theirs by May of this year.

A double ender sail boat of about 40 feet hit the reef approaching the marina at 3 am (yes, I know, why would you enter any place at 3 am?). Apparently their charts did not show the reef. They hit it quite far away but the wind and swell drove them further up onto the reef to the point where they were in about 4 feet of water quite close to the marina entrance.

Randy and I snidely commented that they must be French because the French are always driving up onto the reefs in the San Blas. Oops! They are from Canada; BC in fact.

They ended up paying over $300 per hour to have a tug boat pull them off the reef. They drove her into the travel lift yesterday and started draining out the water. There is a small hole in the fiberglass and the rudder is completely chewed up. My next post will have a photo.

Randy just finished a hellish tour from Munich to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Etheopia, Kuwait, Dubai, Munich, Luxembourg, Liege, New Jersey. He is now in Miami trying to get here today.

Lost Elvis Lettering

Here's our new lettering! I hope Randy likes it. I had to choose it in his absense. Letras Alfarro did the work. He's from Panama City. He did a good job but it took him a month and a half from the time he showed me his samples to the day he showed up with the letters. Thank goodness I didn't pay him in advance.

We have decided to transit the Panama Canal again (North to South, Caribbean to Pacific) on March 24, 2010. Stanley is our agent again. He's very jolly these days as he has much more business during the "dry" season. Our neighbours who use Stanley, Woolloobooloo (Simon) got delayed in their transit. They are hoping to get through tomorrow.

Cristobal Marine said they were going to inspect the vacu-flush heads today but I have not seen them around. There is no "vacu" and hence no "flush". It's always something.

Panchita (Ted and Joan) are back early from the San Blas due to the fact that their refrigeration quit. Equinox (Hank and Betsy are coming in tomorrow with autopilot problems. It'll be nice to have some old friends around. We met Panchit and Equinox back in Huatulco last February. We all set out to cross the Tehaunapec together.

Our plans after the canal transit are to visit the Las Perlas Islands, Panama and then take Lost Elvis back to Paradise Village in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. We will commute, as little as possible, from Mexico while we make money for our next trip to the South Pacific in March 2010. But you never know, one of Randy's nicknames is, after all, "Random".

San Blas again

We took Lost Elvis to the San Blas again. The first few days we spent with our friends Greg and Christine. The first stop was Portobelo where we caught the last night of Carnival. We toured through Chichime, Swimming Pools, Salardup, Carti and Porvenir. We met Hank and Betsy (SV Equinox) and their guests, Gary and Liz in Salardup where we set up a swim up bar using our dinghy as the bar. In Swimming Pools, Equinox and Lost Elvis hit the Monday night cocktail party where we met and in some cases re-united with Southern Belle, Runner (Reg and Debbie), Blow Me Away (Aaron and Cathy), Bubbles (Sheila and Alex) et al. Blow Me Away gave us the number of Eulogio (651-79850) who runs the jungle jeep ride back to Panama City from Carti. It's $30 per person and they pick you up from your boat in a nice panga. Greg and Christine left Carti on February 24 in the jeep ride. The jeep will drop you off wherever you want in Panama City. Our friend suggested Hotel Discovery (225-1140) in Panama City as it's only $25 per night. We stayed in Carti for an extra day as the Kuna were celebrating their 80 year revolution against the Panamanian armed forces. The celebration included a parade, dancing and a wandering play re-enacting the event. The grande finale was drinking Chicha in the Chicha hut (segregating men and women) as the Sailas (shamen) chanted. In Porvenir we lost our hold in the anchorage (again). It was a disaster and of course, it happened at night. We had to re-anchor in an uncharacteristic storm that came from the south. The southern storms usually blow in the summer. Our plans to leave Porvenir were dashed by the storm which gusted to 35 knots and was conistently over 20 knots with 5 foot seas at 3 second intervals. It took us over an hour just to make it back to Chichime where at the usually flat entry, waves were breaking. Chichime had 12 boats anchored and the entry was a mess so we went to Salardup again to wait out the weather. Hank and Betsy did the same. The next day brough fair weather, winds and seas and we had a lovely sail to Isla Linton. Sunbow (Sharon and John)was an hour ahead of us. Effie was in Panamarina. We all dined at Caballo Loco (a french restaurant). The next day Randy, John and Sharon took two dinghys through the mangroves to pick up Alan and Mac who are leaving their boat in Panamarina for a month or so while they head back to the US. The voyage from Islan Linton to Shelter Bay was and adventure; 6 to 78 foot following swells at 7 seconds or less and strong winds. Our auto pilot couldn't take it so Randy and Alan took Lost Elvis back to Shelter Bay in shifts. On the way in our furling rigging on the staysill broke at the furling drum so Alan furled it by hand with a wrench. As we were furling the main (in mast) the pulley on the boom broke. Time to call the rigger! Now we are poolside at the marina.... playing guitars and drinking beer.

Panama Canal Again on Pursuit IV

On Wednesday, January 20, 2010 I crossed the Panama Canal again; this time as a line handler on Pursuit IV (Gary Last and Tara Lunn).  David our canvas "go to guy" and his friend Willie, a fireman also came along as line handlers.

We were supposed to fuel up at Shelter Bay at about 1 pm in order to make it to the flats by 2:30 pm.  At noon, in awe, we watched the fuel barge leave Shelter Bay. Gary had pre-paid for his fuel at the Shelter Bay office a few hours prior so he was a little confused to hear that the fuel barge left but would return by 2:00 pm.  Typical of this country; it's whatever, whenever.  They can run an international shipping channel and canal but can't organize a reliable fuelling system.  That wasn't the first or the last I've hear about fuelling problems at Shelter Bay. There was talk of fuelling out in the shipping lanes on the way to the flats but, not surprisingly,  it all fell through.  Shelter Bay promised a refund on his credit card for the pre-paid fuel.  They also promised to find me the stove that Gary left us that magically disappeared.  Haven't heard a peep. 

We left the flats around 4 pm with our first advisor Guillermo, went through the Gatun Locks and arrived at the mooring  buouy on Gatun Lake about 1/2 hour before sunset.  Gary and Tara provide a wonderful meal of BBQ'd steak and chicken, salad and baked beans accompanied by Balboas and fine wine in a box.

Our second advisor, Roy, arrived at 6:30 am just as the sun was rising.  One of the catamaran's that was with our group took the short cut through the submerged forest but Roy thought that with Pursuit's draft and

the navigational markers having changed, it would be better to take the conventional route.  Just as we approached the chanel, the engine began to fail.  It turned out to be the primary filter which was too fine and was clogged. After changing the filter we were back on course but too close to catch the other two boats in our group. In the end it worked out fine.  After a wonderful breakfast(actually it was lunch by then - we didn't have breakfast) of fried egg sandwiches (Roy loved them so much he asked for second and Tara was running out of eggs!  I guess she hadn't planned on a hungry crew), we made the last two locks, San Pedro and Miraflores with a huge commercial freighter and I was on board SV Effie visiting Mac and Alan by 4 pm!

Isais, from Shelter Bay picked me up in his grey Nissan Centra (the national car it seems) just after 5 to cross back to Shelter Bay by land on the fairly new toll highway.  He charges $60 with a surcharge for extra passengers but I guess it's worth it.  Other than asking me for a photo that he can put on his computer (which creeps me out but Randy will rectify), he's a good guy.  Trained in mechanical engineering in Santa Barbara he is intelligent, presents well and speaks excellent English.

Shelter Bay

Here we are back in Shelter Bay Panama. We've been walking from the marina up the road through the remains of Fort Sherman and through the jungle toward San Lorenzo. Christmas dinner was hosted by Tom and his family who run the restaurant at Shelter Bay. Although the restaurant was closed, he provided ham, rice and beans and potato salad for about 25 "cruisers". The rest was pot-luck style. Lost Elvis brought cocktail sausages and mustard for dipping, Consort made a lovely tossed salad and others brough yams, coleslaw, bread, corn and carrots. Tom's children helped serve food and drinks.

Since Randy had only 5 days off from ground school at Southern Air, we spent most of our time by the pool, checking our systems and visiting with other boaters. Fortunately, all systems were "go" thanks to our dear friend Gary Last (Pursuit IV) who looked after Lost Elvis while we were gone. The outboard on the dinghy needs servicing but that's minor compared to what could have happened during our long absence.

We met the crew of Lynx (privateer.org) who joined us by the pool for a few cold Balboas and returned the favour with some fine Panamanian cigars.

I'll be back in late January to provision (Panama Supply will do it for you if you don't want to shlep groceries all day) and wait for Randy and Greg Cox to join us for the next leg of our trip toward Florida.

Southern Air

Randy has a new job. Well, actually it's old; he used to work for Southern Air about six years ago. Randy is in Miami until the end of January training. I will join him in mid-January then we will move Lost Elvis through the Caribbean with the long term plan to bring it to Key West which is closer to work for Randy. Lost Elvis is still in Shelter Bay, Panama (near Fort Sherman). Randy has four days off at Christmas which he'll use to visit the boat, start her up and check all the systems.

Dockwise in Deep Cove Again

Dockwise is back in North Vancouver (Deep Cove) to move more "Fast Ferries" to the Middle East.

Schkipperke

If we ever get a boat dog it will be a Schipperke! How cute is that and they are a working breed that loves boats! Perfect.

Still All About Boats, Vancouver

Last week we sailed with our friends Greg and Alex tacking across English Bay in Vancouver. It wasn't quite the San Blas Islands but it was still beautiful to be out sailing again. We started at Granville Island, went out to the tip of Stanley Park and sailed right under the Burrard Street Bridge. Greg performed a "touch and go" so Randy and I could jump off at Quayside Marina; basically our front door. Thanks Greg for a fabulous afternoon. It makes us miss Lost Elvis even more.
Dockwise turned up in North Vancouver (Deep Cove) to move the "fast ferries" over to the middle east. It was really odd to see them up here in this quiet, quaint little corner.











Although it was "summer" in Vancouver, it was a chilly ride up to Deep Cove.
Thea and Cortez trying to keep eachother warm. With Cortez just in from Mexico and Thea from Panama, the two of us shivered together.

Thanks Bob Henderson for taking us up the "Cove" at top speed to watch dockwise. After Deep Cove we stopped at Coal Harbour where there are public docks by the float planes. We tied up there and had lunch at The Mill (doggy friendly) and then returned to the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club at Jericho.

Lost Elvis Splashes at Shelter Bay

On Saturday, August 8, 2009, Lost Elvis returns to the water, with new anti-fouling pain (Sigma - Diego; Panama-Albrook), new propellor and new shaft (Cristobal Marine - Brian; Panama-Albrook and Colon) and new dripless seal (Alex Kao, Stem to Stern - Vancouver), new bearings etc. All installed by Victor and overseen by Dave at Shelter Bay Marina in Panama. The total cost including labour and haulout was about $5200 USD. Lost Elvis now does 9 knots (nudos for you Spanish speakers) at 1600 rpm and about 5.5 knots at idle. We can't wait to see what the fuel efficiency is now that the propellor is not all chewed up and the shaft isn't cavitating.

Randy is in Vancouver with Thea for about a month when he will return to Panama to check on Lost Elvis. Gary and Tara (Pursuit IV) are looking in on Lost Elvis during our absence.

Fly Guys - Panama City

Randy and Matt flew the Embraer 190 simulator at COPA in Panama City yesterday. Apparently Matt is a natural. Today they are both going to get checked out on a small plane so we can rent a plane next week when Thea is in Panama. We will fly to Porvenir and visit our friend Nestor and the chief and his family at Chichime.

Road Trip

Randy, Paul and Matt took a road trip to Punta Azueros in Matt's new Toyota FJ. Thea is in Vancouver working. Randy also updated his look!

Lost Elvis - Fish Out of Water

Poor old Lost Elvis had to come out of her swimming pool to get dried off and spruced up.

Her she is at Shelter Bay in Panama on the travelift and on her new "legs". She is going to get new bottom pain, a new cutlass bearing, a tuned up propellor and some other odds and ends.

Randy and Paul are staying with our dear friend Matt Hocker in Panama City while the boat is getting some work done. When they are not running around the boat yard or over to the prop shop, I hear they are enjoying the occasional steak at the restaurant "Market" and Paul is still looking for the best "Spanish dictionary with long hair" so he can improve his language skills.

Thea is in Vancouver trying to make some money to "fund the project" and hopes to fly down to Panama City in the next week or so.

Lost Elvis and crew (Thea and Randy) will then pass back through the canal (North to South or if that's too confusing; Caribbean to Pacific). We will leave Lost Elvis somewhere along the Pacific Coast for several weeks so Randy can visit Vancouver when it isn't pouring rain. Depending on the weather, we will inch back up the coast and perhaps leave the boat in El Salvador for two or three weeks. Perhaps Mac and Alan (Effie) can boat sit.

Recently it has been 80 to 90 degrees in Vancouver with little humidity. We hope it lasts for Randy's visit.