06/12/2013, dorset, vt

Memories of 90 degree air and 85 degree water...

I have some catch up to do as we have traveled a lot since savannah... More later...

now we are in Dorset Vermont where is is rainy and cold... and very green and lush.

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06/05/2013, Oriental, NC

Isobel is happy to have a tree to climb... regardless of how appropriate the footwear is!

Now in Oriental NC to visit some friends here. I awoke early this morning to the birds. Now, for me this is remarkable in several ways.

first, being now at 35 north, the sun comes up early because we are approaching the summer solstice. This isn't something we are aware of at 9 degrees north. We are aware that the sun is further north, as it shines on the north side of the boat during the summer... yet it comes up around 6 am and sets around 6 pm year-round. Because of this I also have my sense of direction back... as the sun is south during the day and that orients me as I wander around.

The birds... waking this morning, then wandering around at sunrise... I know the birds. I identify most of the songs and calls, and those I can't I am familiar with. Partly this is because there are fewer species than in the tropics and mostly this is what I grew up with. Now in Panama we awake to the sounds of Toucans and Howler Monkeys... as well as a thousand other sounds I can't identify. The one bird that seems ubiquitous is the boat tailed grackle.

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06/03/2013, Savannah, GA, USA

Isobel went to the train museum and learned to pump this hand cart.

The US should be ashamed of our Public Transportation. Pretty much the only way to get around in the US is by car and jet. In most other countries there are buses, trains and in some countries there are different forms of "colectivos" (a taxi that is going a certain direction and will pick up people headed in that direction for a couple bucks.)

We really enjoy public transportation for several reasons: You meet people: sometimes, not always, we meet local people and you can get a sense of who lives in a country. It gives us a realization that there are wonderful, kind people all over the world who are willing to talk to, share with, and help strangers. In Panama city, I climbed on two different bues without the proper fare (you need a special card... the first time I didn't know that and the second time I had the wrong card!) Locals I had never met before paid my fare (25 cents) and wouldn't let me pay them back. Then, they helped me figure out where to get off and gave me directions (all this very patiently as my Spanish is lacking!)

Public Transportation can also save money, which is better spent elsewhere. When we arrived in Savannah, we were told that Taxi was the only way into the city, so we spent the $45 for the 15 minute ride. Later we found out that the CAT bus runs from the airport to town for $1.25 per person. I would rather spend the $40 on an Art museum or feeding the homeless or supporting the Environmental Defense Fund.

On the way out of Savannah, we wanted to take the train north... Can you believe that the bus doesn't run to the train station! So, we were faced with another $40 cab fare... We ended up renting a car... which in retrospect was a mistake as we were then confined to our seats and seat-belts for 6 hours through thunderstorms and traffic... when we could have been relaxing in a train car... Ah well...

So, I suggest you all do what you can to encourage and support public Transportation. It can be easy, fun and encourages community.

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06/02/2013, Savannah, GA, USA

When our family gets together the meals go on and on as we all enjoy talking and eating... To celebrate Mettie's Graduation, we had a dinner out at the Pink House. Isobel and Lara left early intending to get to bed. In the square, there was this wonderful busker playing the violin.

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06/01/2013, Savannah, GA, USA

Savannah and the family

We are here in Savannah because my niece Mettie June graduated from the Illustration School of the Savannah College of Art and design. It has been great fun to be here as it has really been a family reunion. Pete, Claire and Lily flew in from Colorado, Peter flew from Vermont, Helme drove from Atlanta and Mettie's Mom flew in from Arkansas.

We (of course) ate a lot together, walked all over town together and discussed all those things that can only be talked about in person. It was also really fun to see Isobel with her siblings, cousin and uncle Bug-a-boo.

I am struggling here to put down my thoughts... probably because they are personal and filled with emotion... so I will leave it that it was a great time with everyone.

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05/30/2013, Savannah, GA, USA

They really don't know how to make breakfast anywhere else in the world like they do in the USA. Lara and I have often said that our favorite meal out is breakfast.

We were directed to Clary's at Aberconrn and Jones.

Oh, to sit outside under the live oak trees and the spanish moss at tables with red checked table clothes.... Wow... a wonderful full breakfast with really good coffee. And Isobel, of course, made friends.

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05/29/2013, Savannah, GA, USA

Most of you are interested in sailing, cruising and living on boats. The next few weeks we will be back in the US seeing family and friends... So, I guess this too is part of boat life. What is it like to leave the boat...

We flew from Panama City, Panama to Savannah GA a few days early for my niece's (Mettie June) graduation from SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design. We are very proud of her and she seems very happy and very excited to be done with school for a while!

I have not been back to the US in six months... so there is some culture shock. There are a lot of things that really strike me.

One is that the US is so clean. Now, I know there are dirty places... but the cities, the airports, the cabs, the streets, the parks, everything is really clean.

Mostly things are in order. I know that some think that our infrastructure is a mess... but there are covers on the man-holes and electrical boxes have covers on them. If there is construction on a building, they route you away from where stuff would fall on your head.

We feel safe. We haven't seen one store with guards at the door carrying automatic weapons. The door to the hotel is not only unlocked... it is wide open, with only a pleasant young woman behind the front desk.

And, as Isobel said in the cab from the airport: "All these people speak our language."

So, it is very nice to be in the USA.

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05/27/2013, Shelter Bay Marina, Colon, Panama

Isobel has been quite prolific recently...

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05/26/2013, Shelter Bay Marina, Colon, Panama

Lara and Bill May 26th, 2007

Yes, today is our wedding anniversary and our friends on Matira offered to take Isobel for a few hours so we could have a dinner together. We got all dressed up (should have taken a photo as I felt like I was going to the prom!) Lara wore a nice dress and the same jewelry she wore for our wedding ceremony. I was decked out in a clean white linen shirt and clean Carharts kaki shorts (The only tie I have is one for the Bermuda Yacht Club... and, well, I didn't wear a tie for our wedding either!

Isobel had a great time. She went for a walk in the woods with Di and Lexi. (Photo credit and copy right: Matira)


Then a swim in the pool. (Photo credit and copy right: Matira)


Then to a Party on Fandango, a wooden boat across the dock from us. Another great couple and part of the wonderful E-dock community. (Photo credit and copy right: Matira)


Thanks to both boats for making for a very special night. It didn't matter that the restaurant took 2 hours to serve us. We played cribbage and had complete conversations and a wonderful chicken curry.

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05/25/2013, Shelter Bay Marina, Colon, Panama

Isobel has become fast friends with Phil and Di on Matira. They took this photo as Isobel in their boat with her most recent creation: The Elephant. Note that in this image their engine, which has just been rebuilt by a wonderful mechanic named Greg (who works off his boat in Shelter Bay Marina) has just been installed, so below Isobel is a newly painted single piston diesel engine that has lasted them 25 years. Even in disarray, their boat looks put together!

Matira, 28 feet long and crew have been to sea for 25 or more years. Other than being a font of knowledge, they are wonderful people and has transformed our stay on E-dock. Here is a photo of Matira in her normal state... ie ready to go to sea or have a party! Note that this boat has been around the world and to places like Japan and South Africa. We dream of our boat looking as put together!

Here, Isobel draws dock-art for Phil next to Matira:

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