Yesterday we cut our ties with the continental mainland and left Panama City
for the Perlas Islands located about 37 miles offshore. We spent our last day at a huge open market where we stocked up on beautiful fruit and vegetables. The forecast indicated about a 10 to 15 kt NE wind which would put us on a broad broad reach.

We made water for the first hour or so under power. On board we have a very large Reverse Osmosis water-maker capable of making about 40 gallons per hour. After the water tank was filled we shut down our "Iron Genny" and raised our sails. We needed to pole out our Genny and Staysail and with that done we had a very pleasant 4 to 5 knot sail for several hours. When the wind died we put the engine back on for an hour or so and since we had to use the fuel anyway we made some more water and washed down the boat with the hose and a brush.

Almost arrived when we overhead an conversation about a cruiser in the anchorage we were heading to who cut his heal on a rock while surfing. After we arrived, I sutured up his laceration with the help of his wife who happened to be a well equipped ex-OR nurse from North Carolina. Many years ago she even went to Cary Orthopaedic for a knee consult!

We are now anchored off a quiet beach and hope to rest up before a weather window opens that will blow us 900 miles to the Galapagos Islands off Equador.

Bye from the crew of Always Saturday!