While anchored in the bay at Bahia Culebra (north Costa Rica), our weather program, Passage Weather, forecasted a few days of north wind followed by a one day storm with east winds. We decided instead of waiting for the storm to pass, we would take advantage of the north wind and sail the one hundred and fifty miles south in following seas and then wait out the storm. All went as planned except 15 to 20 turned in to 25 to 30 and the first 20 miles we were close hauled. Fun in a race with your buddies on the rail toughening it out, not so fun when you're cruising with gear and personal stuff stowed in every nook or cranny. We spent the whole night with a triple reef main and no head sail running down wind at better than 6 knots average. We saw over ground surfing speeds of 11.1 knots and plus 10 several times. In the end, we sailed 151 miles in 25 hours with no major mishaps. That is if you don't include Becky falling down the companion way and landing on the stove. She got a basketball sized bruise on her hip (I know, you didn't think Becky has basketball size hips, the bruise must have swollen the hip up). This is the biggest boating bruise I have seen yet. I know she hurts, but she's tough and showing only slight signs of pain. God gives her the bruise because He knows I can't handle it.

We are now anchored in a bay off of Isla San Marcos. It is beautiful. I think it's a good spot to wait out the pending storm before we decide what's next. In the mean time, I think I'll have lunch and a beer before exploring the island for hidden treasure.

Denny