Tony, If the autopilot is such a piece of crap, why don't you flush it down the head? How is the macrame going? Did you learn any new tricks from the books?

I am awaiting the next 2 day torrent and so put critters to bed with extra feed and double checked chicks with new moms. Whether one is creaking and bruising on a 47' boat or a 3 acre 'ranchito' the pain and rewards are seemingly infinite! Always something that needs attention. Missing the Ronz folks! I also observed a strange but wonderful relationship develop with Nick and Tony working together and putting their considerable heads and experience together to synthesize amazing solutions. I observed a bouancy and tanacity in Sharon that will no doubt keep things running no matter what kind of mucked up mess the grungy bears create! While onboard, I have experienced moments of calm and beauty as described by Sharon and have also experienced considerable bangs and bruises and 'oh god not another minute without a hot shower and DRY clothes'. But like most of us when we have been too long away from misery, I've been thinking longingly of happy times so now I'm looking for passage to Florida where I hope to join the crew some few days before taking off to Bermuda. I understand it's a 5-7 day passage from St. Augustine to Bermuda where we might enjoy the annual celebration that includes dinghy races. I wonder if the ol' Rose 'n Andy will compete? If things go as hoped, I'll get into Daytona around May 5-7. I am longing to be in warm, tropical waters, drink rum out of pineapples and leave the extra wool socks and heavy sweaters behind! So, that's my application for inclusion on the Florida to Bermuda leg of your great adventure! P.S. I can stand watch and actually haul on a line or two now and then! Love and hugs to you. Hope to see you soon!

The people of Marin saw the sun for the first time in 10 days. There have been mudslides and flooding and hwy 1 is closed for who knows how long...its falling into the ocean at Devil's Slide.The big oak tree at the opposite end of building 4 from the office began to fall and had to be cut down. What a shame. Marquita and Steve moved to Foster City. They were just "Done" with Madera Valley. The temp manager Heather seems very nice and has offered to give me some parking violation stickers as I have become the on-site "Parking Police". Gotta get to work and get these motorcycle parts painted so the guy can race this weekend. Ciao for now.

Hey Nick- are we talking Portugal/Madeira in MMVII or MMVIII?

Okay, here's the chick version of the crossing of the Stinking Gulf Of Mexico. It starts out with"let's have a good attitude and accept the fact that the whole journey will not be a cake walk". By day three, the bruises are in multiples, the tempers are short, good attitude, my ass.... and I'm trying to figure out how to get off the boat and back to any part of California, ASAP! I have nothing but loathing for the Gulf. Then the autopilot goes out when nerves are as raw as a fresh picked bunch of beets. Fortunately, on day four, the seas settle, the sails go up and night watch becomes a quieting, soul refreshing experience. Oddly enough, this is when it begins to be tolerable. You're by yourself, the only sounds are the waves lapping against the hull and Ronz is creaking and groaning in rythmn with the waves. It's then that you begin to realize why "men go down to the sea in boats". You are making memories. You feel the absolute joy of making your way across the sea with nothing but the boat beneath you and the wind moving you throught the water.
You're tired, but full of the pride of making the crossing. The next best words are, "let's put into Panama City and get ship shape again. This is the Chick part..... Oh Yah. Showers, internet, terafirma and stores!!!
All in all, I learn that the two men on this boat are amazing. They work together in a strange, symbiotic way that gets us where we want to be and that's a good thing, Martha.
Ronz is out of the water once again and we work on things that need to be addressed. With each day that passes, we become more anxious to put her back in the water and go. Alas, we look forward to the next adventure like a woman who has forgotten the pain of the last child birth and thinks only of the joy of the fruition of the next dream.
And if you bought that.....you have not spent much time on a boat!!!
Keep those cards and letters coming in and don't forget about us. We look forward to hearing from you.

Howdy Y"all
I think we now qualify as sailors. After 2 days down the calif coast, a month hanging out in the socal marinas fixing stuff and a couple more weeks getting the boat to Texas we finnaly made a major passage
When planning for such a trip it's important to time it so the wind and currents are in your favor. We did'nt. Actually, after waiting for so long we were going no matter what. We left early Sunday and preceeded to bash our way directly into the wind and waves for a solid 24 hrs. Think of being in a washtub wiith 4-10 ft waves coming from lots of directions and the 20-30 knot winds blowing nonstop Extremmaly tiring.
We had to motor because the wind was coming fron the direction we wanted to go and due to the millions of oil platforms in the the area we couldnt hug the coast We finnaly turned the motor off and had a couple of excellant days of sailing, still couldnt head drectly to our goal due to adverse winds so lots of tacking
The autopilot took another crap and we decided to motorsail to Panama City Florida, total of 600 miles
So thats where we sit
The boat gets lifted on monday and we hope to have the autopilot in by the end of the week
its another 4-5 days down to key west and a week or so to the st augastine area
We will be in the bahamas approx may 16th and leave may 25th
if you are thinking of meeting us there thats the time to plan for
will post pictures asap
love you all

*** Hi Ya-all... Hope all is well in Texas... I knew you should have taken the motokol... Madix says hi... Keep in touch... Chad.

Hey Sharon and Tony, Got some gossip for you!!!! Pauly has left the building! His last day was yesterday!!!! WOOHOO maybe something positive will happen now. Did I also mention that Ed is gone too? I think he's fighting crimes as a security guard. Oh by the way Sharon today 3/30/06 is Vincent Van Gogh's bday, made me think of you. Miss you love you lots!

Hey guys, just wanted to say that the visit was wonderful and we were so happy to get to spend some time with you. We hope all is going well. Can't wait to see all of the pictures and hear the stories. All is well here. Love ya, your lil sis

Hey Sharon & T look what happens when I go away for a girls weekend w/Ali to Stinson Beach, Carl ends up on the couch not knowing where the hell he is?! Sounds like they had too much deserved fun. Day 23 of rain, officially tied with the Weather service from March 1904 was the last time they had 23 days of rain and we still have 2 more storms coming in. I left you a message on the phone the one you left me cut out and I'm not sure what you said. I hope all 3 of you are well and just know were thinking of you and can't wait until the next port of call. Love ya lots, the kids say hi

Hey, there you are! Good to see the "dancing dot" moved into TX. Great pictures too. Hope this finds you well on the other side of the oil platforms and all. The weather here is rough, so much water and today we had the wildest lightening storm we can remember here. Rocked the house a couple of times. (course that doesn't mean much in this old house). Florida sounds like the place to get to, that's for sure. Be well dear friends. M&N

Hi Nick & crew! We are so enjoying your messages along the way! We just left Pompano Beach, Florida and the weather was wonderful between 70 and 80 degrees. Knute forgot his binoculars so he is just as well ok with leaving the beach before Spring break. We arrived home to snow in Mariposa. Want to send you good news that the planet Mercury went direct on 24 March after 3 weeks of retrograde motion. Things in general can be rough going with Mercury in Rx so now all should be smooth sailing for you!

I have been recovering from surgery at my brother's Condo at Pompano Beach. All is well in the recovery department.
With the weather not realizing it is Spring, Knute has been enjoying his new Plasma HDTV. It does indeed make a difference with HD. Knute is putting up the surround sound tomorrow and we'll watch the movie Phantom of the Opera!
Local news is that one Mariposa supervisor is being recalled and the CAO was fired today. We expect a few more heads to roll. It took Mercury Rx to bring the dung to the surface! We also have a nut shooting at the large windows in the historic part of town - my building was one! Just thought I would add some local news to remind you how lucky you are to be on board where you don't have to deal with the negative stuff. Its 2:20 am - Knute will probably send a message too. Lyn & Knute