February 18

Planned to continue using Ham for email, but Sailmail is just as slick and has stronger stations so, over time, will probably use it more often. Only downside is an online time limit virtually missing from Ham. If propagation is poor and Sailmail is working, may not try very hard to get winlink. Address is WDC4957 @sailmail.com. Don't be a stranger.

Said goodbye at dinner tonight to good friends from St. Pete, Michael & Barbara on "Astarte", for what promises to be awhile. They plan to explore the Bay Islands of Honduras next fall after ducking storm season in San Blas. May get the itch to see Pacific in a year or two, so who knows.

Bought dog biscuits in Puerto Rico, 80 cents for nearly two pounds of these things. Keep forgetting to take them along, but it's just as well. Even a saved puppy prowling the restaurant whose ears are half his body weight wouldn't eat one. Sawdust molded with Elmer's glue? It's embarrassing when a starving waif looks at you with contempt. Got to spring for a higher level bribe.

Resurgent wind is making batteries happy and keeping saloon more pleasant. Sleeping under a hatch-deflected breeze is the best. Tomorrow in Shelter Bay may bring air conditioning. Drying out (the boat not me, heaven forfend) will be nice. Sultry works better for women than for weather.

Jack