The Death of a Sailor

I preface this post with the rationalization: It could happen to anyone. As I write this, I am in some degree of danger. I mean right now! I can hear the thunder in the distance that tells me that electrical charges are passing through the atmosphere…. and I know that we have a long metal stick pointing over fifty-five feet in the air! Less than a half-mile away thick, black smoke is rising from a fuel dock fire and several expensive boats nearest the fire have been moved away from those docks. We seem to be safe from the fire where we are, but who knows.

I am surrounded by electrical wires, which could start a fire. We have propane tanks on board, which might explode. The boat could spring a leak and sink. Any of us could slip and fall and crack our skull. How about food poisoning? If one starts to worry about these possibilities, and they are possibilities indeed, one might not get out of bed (as if that was safe!) Danger is all around. People die!

One person died while we were back in the USA. He was a man that Barb and I never met, but he intended to ready his boat for cruising here in Rio Dulce so we feel some connection. Bryan (S/V Pearl S. Buck) had met the man and his wife while we were away. What follows is the short version of the incident. Local bad men boarded his boat looking for dollars and killed him and seriously injured his wife. The men left with no dollars and only a little of the Guatemalan currency. The wife has recovered. The long version and details may be found on the family’s blog:

http://danieldrydenincidentdetails.blogspot.com/

While Bryan and I were visiting the agent, Raul, to renew our Guatemala cruising permit, the surviving wife came by and Bryan introduced me to Nancy. Her family had joined her and when Bryan inquired about her plans, she shared that she wanted to take the boat out sailing, but that they would need a captain because they had not had a chance to ever sail the boat and didn’t know how. Bryan volunteered to captain and I volunteered to help if they thought they needed help.

Last Saturday, Bryan and I met the fledgling crew aboard S/V Sunday’s Child, soon to be renamed Kwiana and we all went sailing and had a wonderful time. If you have checked their blog you already have a sense of the quality of people we accompanied. They are wonderful. I was at the helm initially while Bryan held a class for the rest of the crew on the foredeck. Nancy was gracious and eager. Jen and her Brian seemed to take to sailing like they were born to it. Daniel, III, was a wizard at the helm and the instigator of a man/woman/whole crew (under the age of 50) overboard drill. Alejandro took a turn at the wheel as well. While Renee seemed shy, she was watching closely. It was an almost perfect lake-sailing day with enough wind to keep the boat moving, but not so much that any fears arose. At one point we had the boat heeled a bit and running with the wind just forward of the beam so she was moving out smartly. Nancy was moved to tears at this moment. This was what her husband would have wanted – a fine craft, doing what it was meant to do, with his family aboard and working together.....and life goes on. Get up each morning and treasure every minute. Hug your family. Help another. Accept another. Give everyone a cheery greeting. Appreciate. Celebrate.

No photos accompany this entry and it is relatively short because I should stop now. Barb and I have just completed our third day of Spanish class and I have homework to do!

Buenos noches.

Jay & Barb

We Return to Jupiter's Smile August 20

We have returned without incident (well almost) to Jupiter's Smile and find her in good shape - i.e. no odd odors, mold, infestations, bumps, tears or scratches. We are not too much the worse for wear ourselves. The only incident is that we lost a strap from around one of our checked bags. This strap had been used successfully to afix a six gallon water container to our arch on the stern deck over the last several thousand miles of wind and waves. Why the strap held fast at sea but not now seemed strange. We found a note in the bag that the bag had been inspected by TSA so someone had unlatched the strap to do that. Whatever its fate was after that, I do not know. Continental Airlines accepts no responsibility for its loss. A minor thing, but an annoyance to an otherwise excellent journey. We now need to put our living space back in order, renew our boating permit and find a location to send this e-mail.

To those of you we got to see/visit we enjoyed it greatly and are pleased that you are all doing well. To those of you we missed we hope to see you next time.

Until then, be well!

On the Road to North Dakota-Still not Sailing

We left the Seattle area and drove to Spokane. There we met Jill Holland, one of the Dangerous Babes. The Dangerous Babes are about a dozen women who were Barb's high school classmates. They have met every year or so since their 40th reunion and enjoy each other more now, probably, than they did at Rich East High School. Jill is living in Gig Harbor, but we visited her as she was caring for her dad in the hospital in Spokane. We are all hoping for a good recovery for her dad. Did I take photos? NO!

We drove a little farther and visited Yvonne Mansfield in Billings, MT. Yvonne and Otto cared for our Borzoi, Galaxy's Antares for most of his life. Antares passed away in 2004 and Otto passed away last year. Yvonne is still active with many friends looking in on her. It was good to see her again. Once again....no photos!

We took no photos of Randy or Brad Wimmer when we visited at their jewelry store in Fargo, ND either. Barb's mom's sister, Aunt Sally, married into the Wimmer family and Randy and Brad had Sally as an aunt as well. They seem to be doing well as the third generation running Wimmers Diamonds.

We drove around Detroit Lakes, MN and saw where Barb's parents lived until they moved to Colorado Springs. Detroit Lakes seems to be a more popular lake than in the early 70's and her old house is for sale. Barb thinks that the beautiful lot will be the location of a new "Mc Mansion" after her old home is bought and then torn down like so many other houses in the area.






We arrive in Pelican Rapids, Otter Tail County, Minnesota.









Barb and her Godmother, Aunt Hazele M. Hafstad Rosenquist get ready to look at photos. Hazele shared her memories and filled us in on family members we had not heard about in years. Hazele turned 100 years of age in March!










We drove to Toad Lake and saw the cabin that Barb's dad built and where Barb spent several summers as a youngster. We stopped at a cabin a few doors down and visited family members of Gayle Woodley, one of Barb's summer friends. Gayle got in touch with Barb later as a result of that visit. Then we returned to Hazele's place for an adventure.



We took Hazele out in the convertible to her church.....










...and to the annual pig roast. She was greeted by many members of the congregation.....
















.......one of whom took this photo. Barbara H. Hafstad and I were married on this spot almost 40 years ago!















After another round of photo viewing and memories, we hit the road that night.

We are now back in Colorado Springs again preparing for our August 19th return to the boat in Rio Dulce.

On the Road to Washington State-Not Sailing

Barb and I hopped a bus in Rio Dulce and arrived in Guatemala City with some time to see some sights.

Clicking on this photo will enlarge it and you may see the armed guard at the doorway of our hotel. I have decided that this boy with the rifle makes me feel safer.










Barb and I lost two weeks after arriving in Colorado Springs as I battled with an amoeba that I picked up in Guatemala. I lost ten pounds in two weeks and several dollars in medical bills, but after a round of medication I suddenly felt well enough to pack up and get on the road to visit Glory Berglund, Barb's "new, big" sister in Port Orchard, WA.



As we approached the Portland area we called our niece, Emily. She was available to have dinner that night and we were able to celebrate her 24th birthday + 1 day, together. I am pleased to report to her father that we find her to be a delightful, attractive and charming young woman who has direction in her life, good friends and a gainfully employed boyfriend. Sorry, Tom and Vickie, no photos.

The next morning, we remembered that our friend, Jon Ulsh was living in Portland and we found his phone listing in the white pages. A call yielded a reunion at his home and we seemed to be able to renew our friendship right were we left off decades ago. It makes me think that people don't change and the reasons why we liked Jon then are the same as why we still like him.

We drove on to the Tacoma area and crossed the bridge, bound for Glory (I couldn't resist.) We spent the next two weeks getting to know each other, getting to meet other family members and seeing sights. Glory has a wonderful family (and we do too, but now we have even more!)

Barb's Nephew: Terry Berglund. We surprised Terry at the airport. "Are you Terry Berglund?" "Yes." He said. I said,"I'm your Uncle Jay!"









Sue Berglund: Terry's wife-a wonderful hostess! She shared her home with us for three days, fed us like we might not ever eat again and carted us all over the most beautiful parts of North Western Washington, almost into Canada!















Rhianna Berglund: Terry and Sue's youngest.














Left to Right: Terry, Barb, Sue, Glory, Aaron (Rhianna's boyfriend), Ty (sp?) (the wunderdog), Rhianna.

Barb and Glory.

Looking at Barb's photo album.

Barb and Glory (in front of the red tent) at the dog show in Sequim. This Borzoi won best of breed.

This is the view across Puget Sound from Glory's house. The Space Needle is to the left.

While we visited Emily did I use my camera? No!

While we toured Seattle did I? No!

How about Sue's tour of Northern Washington? No!

Maybe someday I'll learn.