As we continued up the Pacific side of Panama, we have had variable winds from thirty knots to dead still. In the middle of one passage heading up the northern coast of Panama, the water temperature was becoming increasingly warm. Our instruments read 28.1 degrees C (about 80 degrees F). Since we were simply motoring, we decided to stop the engines and go in for a soak. The Gone Native crew started jumping in like lemmings. After reducing our core temperature, and the need to arrive at the next anchorage, we reluctantly starting returning on board. Ryan and Wesley were the first to clamber on board, while the rest of us were savoring the last moments of coolness.

Since the Atlantic, the Gone Native has become quite the "fishing trawler", hauling a variety of fish. Suddenly Ryan and Wesley yelled "Dad....Mom....we have a problem...", an all to familiar tone. Bill had been teasing Ryan and Wesley from the water, pulling in on the fishing rod line pretending to be another bite. The twins started reeling in the line, and inadvertently a wave slammed Bill, hooking his left thumb into the large fish hook!

Medicine at Sea comes into action again. Dave, doing what he does best, started by applying his specialty, anesthesia. We then both pondered the situation. We decided we would try retracting the hook backwards as the simplest method of extraction. Wrong! After that unsuccessful attempt, implement strategy #2. Read on to the next blog.