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.

19 July 2016 | Zapopan, Guadalajara
18 July 2016 | Zapopan, guadalajara
16 July 2016 | Zapopan, guadalajara
16 July 2016 | Zapopan, guadalajara
14 July 2016 | Zapopan, Guadalajara
14 July 2016 | zapopan, Guadalajara
13 July 2016 | Zapopan, Guadalajara
12 July 2016 | Zapopan, Guadalajara
11 July 2016 | zapopan, Guadalajara
10 July 2016 | Zapopan, Guadalajara
09 July 2016 | Zapopan, Guadalajara
08 July 2016 | Zapopan, guadalajara
07 July 2016 | Zapopan, guadalajara
06 July 2016 | Guadalajara
03 July 2016 | Zapopan, guadalajara
28 June 2016 | La Paz
25 June 2016 | La Paz
23 June 2016 | La Paz - Belisario Dominguez
21 June 2016 | La Paz, and La Ventana
15 June 2016 | Guadalajara

Beyond the BigLeftTurn!

21 March 2018 | Havelock, South Island, New Zealand
Jeanne
As we are no longer on a sailing adventure, but a land based one, we've switched to a different platform.
You can still follow along with us as we travel around the world by plane, RV and other forms of transportation.

Follow us at www.beyondthebigleftturn@blogspot.com

We'll see you there!
Jeanne, Tom and Lefty

Preparations for Transitions

06 January 2018 | La Paz
Jeanne
I guess it seems fitting to bring a close to this blog as Eagle is being prepared by David to journey to Mazatlán. At the same time, we are preparing our 5th wheel to begin our journey to the Pacific Northwest, and our new adventures.

While our lives may seem to have scattered a bit, after the clutter is picked up and the debris cleaned, it really is quite focused.
Our around the world adventure will be documented in a couple of ways.
I will be journal/blogging with photos at this new blog

Tom will be blogging about the great birds he finds during what he's named his "Little Big Year", at the Ramblings of a Bird Nerd .
He also writes a weekly story for the site
Check here on Wednesdays

Please join us as we start this next adventure.

Changes for us and Eagle

12 December 2017 | La Paz
Jeanne

If anyone is still reading this, you know that we've had itchy feet and feel the need to move on and do something different. Well, when we put our minds to something, it seems to come together, sometimes quicker than we sometimes think we're ready for. But in the wisdom of the universe, we've been blessed with good timing!

So the first big news is, Eagle is going to go sailing again! She has a new caretaker!

David C., a Freeport owner already, decided that Eagle was already set up with all the goodies that he wanted on a cruising boat, and she was already in Mexico. Mazatlán will be Eagles new home for a while, and in just a few weeks! He plans to do some Coastal cruising to work on longer distance dreams. We wish the two of them many wonderful adventures together.


They are both in good hands!

So is this the 2nd happiest day in a boat owner's life? Yes, and no.

She will be missed, there's no doubt about that. The feeling as I describe it is sadly happy, or happily sad. Eagle was everything and more that I was seeking in a boat when she found me to be her owner. She graciously accepted Tom into the package and we three had some fantastic times.

There were a couple of hair raising and nail biters, and one or two frustrating times, lol!

We're sad that this adventure, this portion of the Big Left Turn is ending, but we also feel that Eagle has many more sailing miles and adventures in her... she's not happy sitting at the dock, nor are we happy seeing her sit there bobbing at the dock.


To the people who may soon see Eagle in a new port or anchorage, stop by and introduce yourself to David. We were telling David that because of the blog and people who know Tom and I and Eagle, don't be surprised if he gets knocks on the hull and a 'Hello Tom and Jeanne'. Our friend John told David, it might just be easier to change his name to Tom!


David, we pass our beloved home and adventure vessel into your good, capable and loving hands. Treat her well and she'll be good to you.

Something fun!

23 July 2017 | La Paz Poolside
Jeanne
It's Sunday afternoon, and we've found that several projects have gotten done over the weekend. In my mind I've been 'writing' several new blog posts, and maybe over the next few days, I will get the photos and the stories together!

Today, however, I've reached my frustration level with downloading photos, slow internet speeds and just general grrrrr!

So, for something fun! My husband is becoming a Minion!


A couple of years ago, he was giving this diving helmut. It's sat in the back room on a shelf. He was pestering me while I was trying to write blogs, and I suggested that since it was hot, he should go try it out.

Your text to link...
Well, he took me up on it and headed to the pool with MY cart full of his toys (That's an inside joke!)


He called to tell me I just "have to come and check it out - Too cool" ! By the time I got there, he had a crowd and several people wanting to try it!

The collar weighs about 50#'s and sits on your shoulders. So the first challenge is lifting up over your head!

A small compressor pushes air into the top of it, keeping it full of air. Your hair doesn't even get wet! And you just breath normally.

What will we use it for? I don't know. For now it's just fun and a poolside entertainment adult size. As I left to write this, the guys were trying to figure out how to drink a beer while sitting at the bottom of the pool.


At least there are several of them working on this and 'lifeguarding' each other... and the pool is 4'8"!

Sad Days

26 June 2017 | Seattle
Northwest beautiful
Well, I had every intention of getting back to posting on a more regular basis. Especially after my last hiatus. But life has dealt my family a big wallop.
My mother, Linda, has passed away.
Sharing special times in La Paz

I started to get some phone calls that all was not well. I was able to read between the lines and booked a ticket to Seattle. On the 5th she was diagnosed with cancer, a tumerous growth on her gall bladder involving the liver and bile ducts.
She passed away on the 19th due to complications of liver failure. I got 12 days with her, although only two or three of those were good quality days. I am cherishing each one - good or bad.
Releasing baby turtles in Todo Santos

I am with family in Seattle and we are in the process of planning a memorial for her on the 8th of July.
Ever the lady, modest yet playful!


I miss her.

Her 'life' story can be seen at http://www.edwardsmemorial.com/obituaries/Linda-May-Shaw?obId=1977443#/obituaryInfo

Mission accomplished

02 June 2017 | La Paz
Jeanne - top of the world! sort of!
I'm still alive for all of you who keep checking the blog! I'm not going to feel guilty about not posting any blog posts for several months...I'm not! I'm not......... ok I am! But, we'll all just have to get past my lapse of entries!

Obviously we have been busy and I have much to get you caught up on. For right now, however, I'm going to toot a couple of horns.

Many of you followed the details of our dear friend John's accident, three years ago this past February here in La Paz, that resulted in him losing his left leg below the knee. While I was with him in the hospital in San Diego we set a couple short and long term goals for both of us.


The one-year anniversary of the accident found John getting along remarkably well, but still adjusting to the prosthesis. For me, my knee and leg pain was increasing and I just wasn't up to it. Last year, John was probably ready, but I had made arrangements for my surgery, and our little hill might just as well have been Mt Everest.

Here we are 11 months later - post surgery. I've been walking with friends 3 mornings a week and doing other things to increase my leg strength and endurance, including several hikes with Tom.

When John arrived a couple of weeks ago, he started walking with us. We start our walk with 'the hill' on our right shoulder as we walk the malecon to the water park. We both would glance at it and then at each other.



On our Monday walk, John suggested a June 1 hill climb. I agreed. I was glad we only had a few days to 'think' about it, as it was mentally hard to 'climb that mountain'.



Yesterday we accomplished a big goal! We hiked to the top of the hill near the marina. It's really not all that big, or difficult - although the trip down was harder than going up. To each of us it was very metaphorically 'OUR MOUNTAIN' !
Even though it was only 9am when we returned, we celebrated our accomplishment with a bottle of champagne! YEA Team John and Jeanne!

Thanks to Lisa of SV Fat-Dash for the photos and being our support team/walking partner!
Vessel Name: Eagle
Vessel Make/Model: Freeport Islander
Hailing Port: Des Moines, Washington
Crew: Tom Brown & Jeanne Walker
About:
Tom, an avid speed boater for many years, fell in love with sailing shortly after falling in love with Jeanne. Prior to sailing, if his boats didn't go fast enough, he'd buy a bigger engine. He's readily adjusted to traveling at much slower speeds and enjoying the ride. [...]
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
a few more random images of the past 10 years
12 Photos
Created 15 July 2015
A random sampling of images of the past 10 years. Enjoy.
49 Photos
Created 14 July 2015
The children of the shelter get a day of play at the beach.
60 Photos
Created 22 July 2014
Selected images of Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay and Ketchikan
60 Photos
Created 23 September 2013
Selected images around the islands
66 Photos
Created 19 February 2012
20 Photos
Created 19 February 2012
20 Photos
Created 19 February 2012
20 Photos
Created 19 February 2012
14 Photos
Created 31 December 2011
16 Photos
Created 31 December 2011
20 Photos
Created 31 December 2011
6 Photos
Created 31 December 2011
18 Photos
Created 31 December 2011
A short walk from Man 'o War Cove at Magdalena Bay
20 Photos
Created 17 December 2011
There's a reason it's called Cabo Crazy!
13 Photos
Created 5 December 2011
The sights, angst and scenery of entering a foreign country!
20 Photos
Created 5 December 2011
out and about in Channel Islands/Oxnard
10 Photos
Created 5 December 2011
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
Thanksgiving 2011 in paradise
13 Photos
Created 5 December 2011
A collection of photos as we explored the area.
18 Photos
Created 5 December 2011
Collection of photos from our time in Avalon Harbor
20 Photos
Created 5 December 2011
Some photos of all the fun things Lefty saw and got to do while we visited San Francisco>
50 Photos
Created 17 September 2011
Our little eaglet, Lefty as he travels around, sharing our adventure with us.
33 Photos
Created 22 July 2011
Some of our favorite pictures as we travel north and south through the area
12 Photos
Created 22 July 2011
With out a doubt, our favorite spot in the Desolation Sound area.
6 Photos
Created 22 July 2011
A beautiful spot, just north of Desolation Sound
17 Photos
Created 22 July 2011
This is a few of our pictures as we tour the area, 2011
5 Photos
Created 22 July 2011
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
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
Pictures of our girl, out doing what she does best...Sail!!
8 Photos
Created 12 December 2010
This a collection of pictures of the things we have done to improve the deck of the boat.
6 Photos
Created 16 September 2010
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
Our new wind steering equipent, being installed and ready to use!!
6 Photos
Created 31 May 2010
Just some fun pictures of our sails, including our more colorfull spinnakers
4 Photos
Created 25 May 2010
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
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
5 Photos
Created 18 December 2009
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
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
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
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
Repair and up grade of the Nav station
6 Photos
Created 30 November 2009
Just few of the electronic goodies that we have added to hopefully make our crusing adventures easier
3 Photos
Created 30 November 2009
Changing out the old yellow counter tops and faucet for something a little more up to date!!
5 Photos
Created 30 November 2009
Some photos of us changing the toe rail from teak to extruded aluminum
2 Photos
Created 30 November 2009
Showing off the new solar panels and Blue Sky regulators
6 Photos
Created 30 November 2009
Complete rewire with new AC/DC panels and a battery management system
4 Photos
Created 30 November 2009
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
A series of photos showing the repowering of Eagle with her new Vetus engine
8 Photos
Created 29 November 2009

The Crew

Who: Tom Brown & Jeanne Walker
Port: Des Moines, Washington

Where Are We?