Check out Christa's new home for the next 8 months. You can get a better idea of what Marina de Salinas encompasses by surfing on over to www.marinadesalinas.com. In the picture, the wooden building in the background is a two story restaurant and bar. There are actually three bars on the compound, along with a pool, a hotel and full on laundry facilities. So my picture is kind of lame as you really can't see what's going on. The price per month for Christa is $321 including the dreaded tax. Like I said before, it is cheaper than the places I was scoping out in Venezuela.

The weather over the passed days has been tough. The wind the wind! Word around the campfire is this season's trades have been the most vigorous in 27 years. Good gouge for all you statistically oriented. Over the passed few days, the winds in the harbor have failed to die completely at night which is abnormal. The above picture was taken this morning just after sunrise. We had about 15 minutes of near calm. Yesterday I was not quite as lucky.

I was up early getting ready to haul the anchor. Jack from Bora Bound volunteered to give me a hand so I picked him up in the dink around 7 am. We hauled the anchor in about 10 knots of wind and headed for my new slip just a scant few hundred yards away. All hands were on deck in the marina as everyone knows that pulling into the slip can be quite the challenge. As you can see I was pulling into a slip with pilings which is a real pain, especially with a cross wind which we had. In the end we made it in without any damage just in the nick of time. The wind turned on like a light switch moments later and blew all day at 20 knots plus.

Needless to say I am quite pleased with my current situation. I am still putting together a plan and outlining some goals I have in mind to accomplish over the next months. Two things come to mind immediately. First I really want to concentrate on my guitar playing. I really enjoy the instrument and I think I can make great strides if I have a more disciplined practice routine, instead of just picking up the guitar and strumming mindlessly. Second, last week Kim and I went for a 3 mile run. I haven't run since the Falmouth Road Race last August and I totally miss the buzz. So I'll make running part of my routine. Yesterday, I spent a good portion of my day reading for the pure pleasure of it. I'll continue to do lots of that. I should get to it, my breakfast is here.

Capt Chris