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Hello from old friends!
Hi Everyone! It’s been a while since we have been around, but I thought you might want to know what we are upto inbetween buses. Natalie and I have moved onto the boat and have sailed from Ft. Lauderdale to Grenada, where we currently are waiting out storm season. We did have TS Karen go by and that was a “blast”, but so far have been safe. January has us starting the World ARC from St Lucia which would take us around the world in 15 months if we weren’t to stop in the Pacific for a year (or possibly more).
Boat life is a lot like bus life, but parts are impossible to source locally, help is impossible to find, and everything costs triple what it did for the bus. The systems are similar though, which has been a big help as I have had tons to fix. Yes, even though the boat was new there are an incredible number of problems. We closed on January 25 and still haven’t finished with everything!
The Caribbean was too fast for us because of needing to get the boat fixed and to abide by insurance terms, which mandate us being out of “the box”, but we did manage to visit the Bahamas, BVI’s, St Martin, Nevis, and Bequia, before Grenada. I would love to give you the details of losing our steering 600 miles into the Atlantic, but suffice it to say there was some tight sphincter action for a while. If you would like details on our travels you can drop me an email and Natalie will add you to the monthly (or so) newsletter that she sends out to friends.
Ian came to visit us twice and is doing well in his third year of college. Can you believe it, but Ariel just got married! If you remember them from the rallies they have come a long way.
The beer is cheap here, the food is good, the people are great, but we miss our old friends too! I hope you all are well. I will try to attach a couple pictures for interest.
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9 Replies
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That is amazing. Great post. Any other travels from now on will be boring.
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Wow, really good to hear from you. You said your goal was buy a boat and cruise around the world, you’re sure on your way. Just wanted to make sure you had had a ample supply of 5.56 for that AR15 to take care of any pesky pirates.
Keep us in the loop here on PC…
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Right, Jon! I worry that when we return and sit around the fire that everyone will think we are just bragging! HAha!
Truk, no guns on board. Some countries are so onerous that I was too afraid. Mexican prisons don’t have a great reputation. But we did just install something called Pirate Lights, which are essentially a motion detector, bright lights and a small siren. That should scare them off!
Miss you all.
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL -
Karl,so great to hear from you and Natalie. You said you were going to do it and you are! Have a wonderful experience and we’ll see you again somewhere in the future. Be safe. George and Corey.
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Karl, it’s going to take a lot of firewood to hear all your stories when you get back. Hope we’re there.
That pic of Natalie looks good. Yours however, looks a little sinister, especially with that hand on your right shoulder.
i have about 50 questions about your boat, but this is not the place.
Be safe, have fun!
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Karl, great to hear from you. The next time I see you I expect to see some web feet. BTW can you change the temperature and roll up the blinds on that Catamaran with your iPhone?(asking for Jon ) . Stay safe my friend and enjoy the journey.
Fred
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Awesome pictures and great story.. luckily for me I keep up with you guys thru Natalie on FB..
Safe travels my friends..
Cheers, Diane & Larry
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That’s funny, Fred! This thing is very backward, err, mechanical. All of the shades are manual!
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Karl,
Thanks for the update. We met you guys at the OKC rally. We celebrated our 25th anniversary this summer on a charter from Grenada to St. Vincent. I don’t think I could ever talk lauren into doing what you all are doing. I am trying to talk her into a year in remote off grid Alaskan house.
Be safe!
Bill
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