Patty/scattered clouds & breezy
04/20/2010, San Pedro, Ambergris Cay

After a few tense days in Bahia Espiritu Santo and Bahia de la Resureccion, we finally anchored in Xcalak, the southernmost point of entry/exit in the Mexican Caribbean. Check out was painless and inexpensive. I sweated entry to Belize, from all the stuff I'd read in Raucher's guide and heard from other cruisers. But we didn't need a half of the documents called for, only spent about $35 US to clear in!!!! Only one official came aboard and did a cursory peek into some of the lockers. A lot of the soundings and waypoints are off (grounded 2x where we should have had good clearance.) Will spend a few days here, then move further south. Our prime objective is to get to La Ceiba, Honduras, before 12 May.

Caught 2 schoolies (dorado) and a nice red snapper right off the Chinchorro Bank! Pictures, details and more input to follow!

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Patty/scattered clouds
04/10/2010, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Whew! We pulled anchor in Isla Mujeres about 06:30 MDST, only to smell something not right coming from the engine compartment/galley. Circled once around the anchorage (our "parade lap"), then could not find the source or any further offensive burning odor. We motored out of Isla Mujeres and south toward the tip of Cancun. At 09:30 we caught a pretty good sized barracuda, but nothing else was biting. The wind was fantastic, the current no problem and the seas were less than 2 meters.

We pushed our luck and tried to loop back toward Isla (north) for more fishing, but all it got us was a few cross words between captain and 1st mate, some broken beer bottles (loose, in the cockpit), and upset pups.

Made it fine into Morelos around 14:00 and took a mooring ball. I've learned my lesson, and will activate the anchor alarm!!!!

The water is clear, the reef is right off our front porch, and the weather is beautiful! We just need a few good fish!!!!

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Patty/Breezy and cool
02/17/2010, Isla Mujeres

We left the security, warmth and comfort of Lagoon Marina, La Ceiba Honduras, on Saturday (13 February 2010). The mouth of La Ceiba harbor was a toughie - breaking waves and strong current through a relatively small channel. But our fearless captain and crew had faith, and we finally were clear of the jetties.

Our goal was Isla Mujeres. The wind and waves caused us to tack 4 times just to clear Utila. We could have stopped, but would have been stuck in East Harbour for days. Onward!

Once we got past the Bay Islands, we could head off the wind a bit, and put up all of our sails. We caught the current and ended up having to slow the boat down (autopilot couldn't keep up). We had some gorgeous sailing, and approaching Cozumel, Gary caught 2 Albacore. We explored the possibility of berthing in Cozumel, but there was no room, and the anchorage unprotected against the approaching cold front, so on we went.

The weather didn't turn bad until we were in the narrow approach between the mainland and lower reefs. During this time, we saw winds in excess of 40 knots and shortened seas of 6-8'. The water broke over our bow, drenching the cockpit (we have very high freeboard) and we both had to man the wheel. Navigation was by radar and GPS, and we finally made it into Isla Mujeres and dropped anchor at 9:30pm. We now understand why so many single handers like the chart plotters!

Lorelei is berthed at Marina Paraiso for the next month. More updates and pictures as they come.

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Patty/Rainy
02/06/2010, La Ceiba, Honduras

We finally delivered our dear friend's boat to his daughter, here in La Ceiba, Honduras. It has been a long ordeal for all involved. I'd like to personally thank those who have helped me with all the legal issues (you know who you are, my angels here on earth!), and those who have been continually offering encouragement and words of support. I feel like I could sleep for a week!

From here, we will head back to Roatan for a few days, then sail up to Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

We wish our extended family here all the best in their quest to get the boat back to the Rio Dulce.

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Patty/Clear
12/24/2009, Roatan, Honduras

We departed Livingston, Guatemala, on December 17, 2009, exactly one year after casting off our lines from Titusville Municipal Marina, Florida. Another successful crossing of the dreaded "bar" (without incident!!!!), and anchored 10 miles out behind Cabos Tres Puntas. The weather blew up and we spent a very rough night corking at anchor. The old windlass gasped and died, Gary could not pull the chain. Next morning, Gary and our passenger, Phil, got the anchor up and we motored to Hospital Bight, which offered protection from the surge. Spent the night there, along with another sailboat, and took off for the Bay Islands the next day.

Made it into Utila on Sunday, but we couldn't clear in (offices closed), so we were at anchor and our passenger was still aboard. Spent a rough few nights anchored in East Harbour, which is not protected from the South. So guess where the winds came from for the next 2 days????? We have never dragged our anchor before, but here we did. The holding is not great - you have to search for good spots of sand.

Pulled anchor Wednesday, the 23rd (Gary's 60th birthday!!!) and made it to Roatan in about 4 1/2 hours motoring. We're at Barefoot Cay Marina, nestled nice and snug at their U-shaped dock, out of the wind and waves.

Got a local electrician working on the windlass motor - says he had to replace all the bearings and rewind the rotor. Replacement parts are no longer available, so we're lucky to have gotten this done. We'll know in a bit if it works (was supposed to be here after 10am - it's 12:30 now.) Island time, folks - just relax

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Patty/tear-streaked
12/13/2009, Rio Dulce, Guatemala

Rune Torkildsen, February 16, 1957 - December 11 (?) 2009, originally from Norway was our next door neighbor at RAM Marina for 2 months, and our very dear friend and companion. We spent many hours together, and he and Gary were almost inseparable. Rune was our catalyst; we got off our duffs and explored the Rio, Lago Izabal and El Golfete because of him. He introduced us to some wonderful local families, and became part of our family.

Rune died in Utila, Honduras. He apparently hit the reef while in his dinghy. Rune lived hard and laughed a lot. We had made plans to cruise with him to San Blas, but now we're headed toward Utila to help out his family (all in Norway) as best we can. His passing has left a tremendous hole in our hearts. We will miss him sorely.

We love you Rune!

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