We swallowed the anchor for the summer!

Here we are in Boulder Colorado--quite a stretch from our life afloat! Sorry we have been too busy organizing the change of life from on the hook to on the road, that we haven't been able to organize ourselves for an update till now. It is hard to believe that just a couple weeks ago we were in Mexico getting Batwing ready for the summer of storage on land. To copy our dear friend Monica of Bella Via "were we really there?" It all seems so long ago. It is like being plucked from the water and immediately transfered to our former lives skipping the points in between. 'Tis quite hot here though. We must get up higher in the mountains to truly be comfortable again. After all, the reason we left Mexico was to get out of the heat.
So let us briefly go over the events that led to our being here in Colorado.

After a bit of deliberation, we decided to abandon sweating to death on Batwing in the Sea of Cortez, and head up to the States for the summer. We rationalized it by saying that we had to visit Ron's mom in Nebraska as she is getting up there in age. Then by next summer (2006) we would head to the Northwest and get jobs and re-up the cruising kitty (buying a land yacht was not in the original budget plan) while waiting for Erica to graduate sometime December 2006, or March 2007.

We arrived in San Carlos in mid May, and proceeded to research vans for sale in Tucson, Az., the closest place across the border where we might succeed with little effort in finding an appropriate vehicle. After a fair amount of internet time, Diane felt reasonably certain of what to look for and traveled the 350 miles north with Bert and Debbie, a fellow cruising couple living in San Carlos. Within 3 days she was back in San Carlos with our 1994 Dodge Conversion van and we moved Batwing to Guaymas for her haulout.

The Marina Seca in Guaymas is not as popular as the Marina Seca (dry storage) in San Carlos, but we feel it is better to be in Guaymas where the yard is smaller and less formal, and very close to the Ferreterias (hardware stores) thus easier to do our work. It was also the place chosen and recommended by our Canadian friends who also own Junks Bella Via nd Bu Kwiis. And--- we also love Gabriel, the young man in charge whose family owns the yard. He told us if we ever want to see what Batwing looks like while we are gone, he will take a picture and email it to us. Now that is personal service!

By the end of May we were ready to leave Mexico and the oppressive heat. Accompanying us were Kay and Steve of Kavenga, fellow cruisers who were planning to do the same as us--get a camping van and cruising on land for the summer. We left them at the same Roadrunner Hostel that Diane stayed at during her vehicle search, and proceeded to head to Nevada where we visited Di's nephew Jon and registered the van. Afterwards we crossed Utah and ended up in Grand Junction visiting Ron's sister Janet and family for a few days. We all went to Ouray for an overnight camp and hike and soak in the wonderful hot springs.

Leaving Grand Junction, we spent a couple nights on the Colorado River, beautiful runoff, green everywhere. the mountains are blessed with plenty of water this year.

Currently we are in Boulder, nursing Ron's cold, visiting friends, housesitting, biking to work (Diane just did that with Kathy) going to the free concerts on Thursdays, and catching up on the 3 past years.

In July we will head to Steamboat to visit more friends, housesit for our friends the Rosensweigs and Sam, and then head back to Boulder in time for Diane to catch a flight to Michigan to visit her brother's family and nephews, then back to Colorado in time for Erica to arrive and join us in some camping and canoeing with the Steckers.

Before heading to Mexico we plan a visit to Nebraska and Ron's family. Whew! Makes me tired just typing this. It will be great to get back to the simple life of cruising!