Eagle's Big Left Turn
Now that La Paz is our temporary home, for now, travel with us as we explore Baja and other Mexico destinations, learning about the riches that Mexico has to offer with it's history and people.
21 March 2018 | Havelock, South Island, New Zealand
06 January 2018 | La Paz
12 December 2017 | La Paz
23 July 2017 | La Paz Poolside
26 June 2017 | Seattle
02 June 2017 | La Paz
16 March 2017 | La Paz
15 March 2017 | La Paz
14 March 2017 | La Paz
13 March 2017 | La Paz
11 March 2017 | La Paz
07 March 2017 | La Paz
04 March 2017 | La Paz
27 February 2017 | Puerto Lopez Mateos
27 January 2017 | El Sargento on the beach
24 January 2017 | La Ventana
21 January 2017 | La Paz
19 January 2017 | Tlaquepaque, Guadalajara
23 December 2016 | La Paz
24 November 2016 | Seattle
Don't kill the dream
10 March 2013 | La Paz
Jeanne
The crew of SV Vida Rica practice docking for the first time! em>
Ever since my 'dinner party/ birthday cooking day' I've been down and out with a NASTY, nasty bug of some sort. I'm much better now. Aside from an occasional coughing fit where I sound like I'm going to be turning myself inside out, I'm so much better.
the smiling family doing their un naming/re naming ceremony
During this time, Tom, as well as many others, have been helping new friends with their very first boat. Kevin and Jan and their daughter Hannah, 9 and son Jordan, 17, purchased a 40 Columbia and are learning everything - and I mean everything! They've never owned a boat before. But with a great attitude and smiles on their faces they dove right into the adventure... and the multitude of what at times seems like endless lists!
Now that I've been up and around, I've stopped in occasionally to see what project was underway or what new discovery had occurred. Every time that I've seen them, they've always got a smile on their face, it might be an exhausted and slightly grimy one, but a warm, bright smile none the less.
The other day I was returning a dish that had been lovingly filled with chicken soup when it came to me. Kevin was up on the deck preparing to wash his sails. After a discussion on the why would you do that and why nots and mostly the futility of trying to get them clean, the topic moved on to storing them - Leave it hanked on? bagging it? down the side? We ran through the scenarios of each and decided that on a future day, he'd pull out the old, but still usable mainsail cover, and we'd see if it could be made into a sail-bag. While I was there at least two other people stopped to ask about 'this' project or 'that one'. Kevin just kept the hose on the sails.
Today seemed like a good day to stop by and check out the material situation. Jan and I went up on deck and re flaked the sail and pulled out the old cover. We could make it work. Then she remembered a 'bag' of extra fabric. "Well, what's this? ", I said, 'Look's like a sail-bag to me!" That was the quickest sail-bag I've ever made! Also, the windlass now has a cover and the instrument panel, too. Cross that one off of the list!
Now the whole time we were up on the deck messing around, talking about lines, halyards, routines, Tom and Kevin were pulling old 'mystery' wires and running new ones for lights, battery systems and other things. Kevin , while pulling wires from the cockpit locker pointed out a long metal tube that had yet to be identified as to its use. I thought it looked to me like an emergency tiller, as Eagle has something similar. We haven't tried it out yet, but we're pretty sure that's what it is. There will be another day to try it, and locate the other parts...put it on the list for later. Kevin and Jan shared a brief look that to me said, will it ever end?
Several of you reading this right now are in the process preparing your boat for seasonal cruising, or perhaps a longer journey, maybe even joining us. Many of you are not boat owners and are arm-chairing our adventure. Maybe you own a house that you're working on. Many of you have written us and asked specific questions about how to do something, or what were our experiences, as you work through your own lists. I haven't found a boater, sail or otherwise, that wasn't willing to give an opinion or advice. At times unsolicited, unwanted and maybe overwhelming.
Sometimes in order to not be overwhelmed by the length of the lists, or the complexity of the items on them, it's necessary to 'clean the sails' or 'scrub the decks' so to speak. If you won't allow yourself the time to just sit, after all that list is looming large, then perhaps holding the hose while water runs down the deck you allow your brain a chance to relax, and unwind, yet still 'checking something off of the list'. Did the sails get clean? Nope. But they're now salt free and Kevin feels better for doing it. After all we had a good chance to examine the sails, he spent some time on deck in the sun, and Hannah learned a new way to raise a sail.
What's my point in all of this? Is there one? Yes. It's that stop and smell the roses thing... take time, look around, stop and talk with a friend, sit in the sun, read a book.... enjoy the now.
Hannah made a comment the other day, that so perfectly summed up what I'm trying to get across. After a very tiring day of non- stop projects, Kevin, Jan and Jordan were in the cockpit with two other cruisers trying to solve another issue. Hannah, tired of all the work, came into the cockpit, with her sandwich, sat down in the corner, 'harrumphed', and quietly, but still loud enough to hear said...."some dream!"
Don't kill yourself on the way to living the dream!
Ever since my 'dinner party/ birthday cooking day' I've been down and out with a NASTY, nasty bug of some sort. I'm much better now. Aside from an occasional coughing fit where I sound like I'm going to be turning myself inside out, I'm so much better.
the smiling family doing their un naming/re naming ceremony
During this time, Tom, as well as many others, have been helping new friends with their very first boat. Kevin and Jan and their daughter Hannah, 9 and son Jordan, 17, purchased a 40 Columbia and are learning everything - and I mean everything! They've never owned a boat before. But with a great attitude and smiles on their faces they dove right into the adventure... and the multitude of what at times seems like endless lists!
Now that I've been up and around, I've stopped in occasionally to see what project was underway or what new discovery had occurred. Every time that I've seen them, they've always got a smile on their face, it might be an exhausted and slightly grimy one, but a warm, bright smile none the less.
The other day I was returning a dish that had been lovingly filled with chicken soup when it came to me. Kevin was up on the deck preparing to wash his sails. After a discussion on the why would you do that and why nots and mostly the futility of trying to get them clean, the topic moved on to storing them - Leave it hanked on? bagging it? down the side? We ran through the scenarios of each and decided that on a future day, he'd pull out the old, but still usable mainsail cover, and we'd see if it could be made into a sail-bag. While I was there at least two other people stopped to ask about 'this' project or 'that one'. Kevin just kept the hose on the sails.
Today seemed like a good day to stop by and check out the material situation. Jan and I went up on deck and re flaked the sail and pulled out the old cover. We could make it work. Then she remembered a 'bag' of extra fabric. "Well, what's this? ", I said, 'Look's like a sail-bag to me!" That was the quickest sail-bag I've ever made! Also, the windlass now has a cover and the instrument panel, too. Cross that one off of the list!
Now the whole time we were up on the deck messing around, talking about lines, halyards, routines, Tom and Kevin were pulling old 'mystery' wires and running new ones for lights, battery systems and other things. Kevin , while pulling wires from the cockpit locker pointed out a long metal tube that had yet to be identified as to its use. I thought it looked to me like an emergency tiller, as Eagle has something similar. We haven't tried it out yet, but we're pretty sure that's what it is. There will be another day to try it, and locate the other parts...put it on the list for later. Kevin and Jan shared a brief look that to me said, will it ever end?
Several of you reading this right now are in the process preparing your boat for seasonal cruising, or perhaps a longer journey, maybe even joining us. Many of you are not boat owners and are arm-chairing our adventure. Maybe you own a house that you're working on. Many of you have written us and asked specific questions about how to do something, or what were our experiences, as you work through your own lists. I haven't found a boater, sail or otherwise, that wasn't willing to give an opinion or advice. At times unsolicited, unwanted and maybe overwhelming.
Sometimes in order to not be overwhelmed by the length of the lists, or the complexity of the items on them, it's necessary to 'clean the sails' or 'scrub the decks' so to speak. If you won't allow yourself the time to just sit, after all that list is looming large, then perhaps holding the hose while water runs down the deck you allow your brain a chance to relax, and unwind, yet still 'checking something off of the list'. Did the sails get clean? Nope. But they're now salt free and Kevin feels better for doing it. After all we had a good chance to examine the sails, he spent some time on deck in the sun, and Hannah learned a new way to raise a sail.
What's my point in all of this? Is there one? Yes. It's that stop and smell the roses thing... take time, look around, stop and talk with a friend, sit in the sun, read a book.... enjoy the now.
Hannah made a comment the other day, that so perfectly summed up what I'm trying to get across. After a very tiring day of non- stop projects, Kevin, Jan and Jordan were in the cockpit with two other cruisers trying to solve another issue. Hannah, tired of all the work, came into the cockpit, with her sandwich, sat down in the corner, 'harrumphed', and quietly, but still loud enough to hear said...."some dream!"
Don't kill yourself on the way to living the dream!
Comments
| Vessel Name: | Eagle |
| Vessel Make/Model: | Freeport Islander |
| Hailing Port: | Des Moines, Washington |
| Crew: | Tom Brown & Jeanne Walker |
| About: | |
| Extra: | This is the story of the love, tears, sweat and bruises on the path of this adventure. We're glad you're joining us! |
Eagle's Photos - Main
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a few more random images of the past 10 years
12 Photos
Created 15 July 2015
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A random sampling of images of the past 10 years. Enjoy.
49 Photos
Created 14 July 2015
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The children of the shelter get a day of play at the beach.
60 Photos
Created 22 July 2014
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Selected images of Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay and Ketchikan
60 Photos
Created 23 September 2013
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A short walk from Man 'o War Cove at Magdalena Bay
20 Photos
Created 17 December 2011
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There's a reason it's called Cabo Crazy!
13 Photos
Created 5 December 2011
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The sights, angst and scenery of entering a foreign country!
20 Photos
Created 5 December 2011
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out and about in Channel Islands/Oxnard
10 Photos
Created 5 December 2011
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A few selections of the passage around Pt Conception, the 'Cape Horn of the Pacific' to Channel Islands Harbor/Oxnard.
5 Photos
Created 5 December 2011
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A collection of photos as we explored the area.
18 Photos
Created 5 December 2011
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Collection of photos from our time in Avalon Harbor
20 Photos
Created 5 December 2011
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Some photos of all the fun things Lefty saw and got to do while we visited San Francisco>
50 Photos
Created 17 September 2011
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Our little eaglet, Lefty as he travels around, sharing our adventure with us.
33 Photos
Created 22 July 2011
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Some of our favorite pictures as we travel north and south through the area
12 Photos
Created 22 July 2011
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With out a doubt, our favorite spot in the Desolation Sound area.
6 Photos
Created 22 July 2011
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A beautiful spot, just north of Desolation Sound
17 Photos
Created 22 July 2011
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This is a few of our pictures as we tour the area, 2011
5 Photos
Created 22 July 2011
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A collection of photos from the epic party held in Des Moines with our all our family and friends celebrating our departure (humm have to think about that)
24 Photos
Created 27 April 2011
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A small group of pictures from our time in the CSR boat yard in Des Moines. This is hopefully our last time in the yard before we take off for Canada and then Mexico
14 Photos
Created 20 March 2011
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Pictures of our girl, out doing what she does best...Sail!!
8 Photos
Created 12 December 2010
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This a collection of pictures of the things we have done to improve the deck of the boat.
6 Photos
Created 16 September 2010
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A few pictures of the frame work we built to hold the jerry jugs secure, and the awesome covers that Jeanne has sewn. This system will give us eight (40 gallons) of deisel, 5 gallons of regular gasoline, and five gallons of emergency potable water.
3 Photos
Created 31 May 2010
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Our new wind steering equipent, being installed and ready to use!!
6 Photos
Created 31 May 2010
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Just some fun pictures of our sails, including our more colorfull spinnakers
4 Photos
Created 25 May 2010
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We had an invitation from some very good friends, Dale and Cynthia to spend a long weekend at their beautiful home in Scottsdale Arizona!! We had a blast!! Here is a brief sample of the pictures we took while we were down there
4 Photos
Created 9 February 2010
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we added a new AIS tracking system and tied it into the chart plotter. This shows how we installed it.
2 Photos
Created 18 December 2009
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The boat came from the factory with just a two sided ice box. With the fact that it was almost 9 square feet we felt that we could add some additional insulation and not compromise the needed space.
7 Photos
Created 18 December 2009
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While one of the amazing features of the "B" Plan Freeport is the amount of storage, we have done a few things to increase the space or useability of that area
5 Photos
Created 13 December 2009
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In an effort to remove the stress out of our manual windlass (Tom's Back) we have installed a new Lewmar windlass and upgraded the bow roller
15 Photos
Created 7 December 2009
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This is a group of pictures that might be of interest to somebody. There are many small projects that we have done, but really dont rate a full album to their own.
21 Photos
Created 1 December 2009
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Repair and up grade of the Nav station
6 Photos
Created 30 November 2009
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Just few of the electronic goodies that we have added to hopefully make our crusing adventures easier
3 Photos
Created 30 November 2009
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Changing out the old yellow counter tops and faucet for something a little more up to date!!
5 Photos
Created 30 November 2009
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Some photos of us changing the toe rail from teak to extruded aluminum
2 Photos
Created 30 November 2009
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Showing off the new solar panels and Blue Sky regulators
6 Photos
Created 30 November 2009
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Complete rewire with new AC/DC panels and a battery management system
4 Photos
Created 30 November 2009
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The first few days when Eagle was still on the hard in Portland and when she was trucked up to Seattle
3 Photos
Created 29 November 2009
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A series of photos showing the repowering of Eagle with her new Vetus engine
8 Photos
Created 29 November 2009
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The Crew
Who: Tom Brown & Jeanne Walker
Port: Des Moines, Washington
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