Although a marina is under construction at the end of Sopadilla lagoon, we decided to anchor close to the entrance to get some ocean breeze to cool us off. The marina's manager, John and his first lady Lucy stays in their sailboat SV Stone Age at the end of the dock.

Yesterday, we found out that our alternator bracket is cracked, meaning we can't go anywhere unless it gets fixed. Plan A was to get a $65.00 ride to Placencia to get it welded, if that doesn't work, I fly back to Seattle to get a new part. John (SV Stone Age) volunteered to call Placencia to make sure the welder is there before we make the trip. Later last night, he radio'd us to say he found a welder close by who can do the job and he already got the aluminum welding rods to be used for the welding job. We also met a wonderful couple, Margaret and Phil (Sunshine) who invited us to their catamaran for a meal of coconut rice, sesame chicken, green beans and yummy REAL ice cream (they have a freezer) for dessert! The whole cruising community helped to figure out how to help us out. Shipping the part into Belize is out of the question. The hassle of going to Belize city alone to take care of customs before they ship the merchandise to Sopadilla is not worth it. Also, we have no idea how long this would take.

Today, John drove Steve to the welder while I hang out with Lucy. She drove Margaret, Phil and I 1/2 a mile away to meet the vegetable/fruit truck that comes this way every Thursday. The price of the produce was great. Then we drove over to their friend's newly built million dollar home so we can oogle. It has the ocean view, hot tub and all the cool stuff you can think of and envy.

The welding job to our bracket cost $17.50 and it looks like it should hold until we get to Isla Mujeres where I can fly out to start training for work.

Now we wait for the weather to settle a bit then we start heading north.

We're keeping our fingers crossed - send us good karma, Marie, Angel and Steve