CANAL TRANSIT WITH XANADU

Our friends Paul and Tamar on Xanadu, of course, Diane.




Di and Ron


Diane


Ron and Di then we are viewingthe Caribbean

Trip to Colorado Nebraska and Michigan

Finally after four years we left the boat in Panama and headed north to visit friends and family. The incentive--Schmidt Family reunion in Nebraska. 'Twas a whirlwind visit in Colorado, getting drivers' licenses, seeing some of our closest friends, spending time with Erica in her surroundings and finally driving to Nebraska for family doings. Diane also had the priveledge of dropping in on her brother Gary's family. A lot of growing has been going on in the last 5 years!

Playing in the Perles

The Perles Islands are not to be missed. For a getaway from lots of people and great fishing we recommend the very protected and not buggy anchorage of Espiritu Santo. After anchoring overnight at Isla Contadora and meeting Heidi and Russ of Tilicum I, a beautiful Canadian wooden schooner, we enticed them to join us in Espiritu Santo before they traversed the canal and lost out on the experience of the Perles Islands. Exploring, fishing, and snorkeling were our daily activities and in addition, we enjoyed sharing fish dinners on each other's boats.

Yes we went to Costa Rica and back to Panama

Above
Vicki and Denny





After hiking in Gamboa.......lets see we journeyed westward to Boca Chica to take some Spanish Lessons, then, a quick trip to Costa Rica to make us eligible for a new cruising permit in Panama, and then arrived back in Boca Chica on our way to Panama City. There we were met by Sam, Diane's long time friend from Steamboat Springs. After spending a week in the Secas, snorkeling and shelling and fishing, we went back to Boca Chica and went ashore to visit former Steamboatites in Volcan. Azel Ames and Kate Stamm graciously took us on a tour of Volcan (and their house they built) and Cerro Punta, introducing us to many of their friends. Later they drove us towards Boquette, leaving us off at Potorillos Arriba, where we visited Vicki and Denny of Ferndale , WA. Vicki and Denny are friends of other friends of ours from the Bellingham area. It becomes a small world when one is traveling!
Next photo is Azel and Kate's house in Volcan,then sunset in the Secas, then the fish Sam caught.

Hiking in Gamboa

Well we thought we would be in western Panama by now, but yes we are still here and making the best of i,t we went for a hike! Gamboa, just 15 miles northwards of the city is a very lovely jungly place with many wonderful hiking and mountain bike trails. We caught a bus from the terminal and got off at the beginning of the Plantation Trail. Joined by friends Jenny and Alwyn and Daniel, all fellow sailors, we spent a lovely afternoon watching birds and wildlife.
Maybe this week we will get our mail and be off to round Punta Mala. Wish us luck!

Erica comes to visit for three weeks

Erica dropped her busy schedule to come visit us for a whirlwind visit of Panama City and the surrounding area. Her intent was to relax and enjoy the beaches in the Perles Islands, but we managed to fit in travel to lovely El Valle for a couple days as well as concentrated shopping at the lovely Multi Plaza Mall and our ladrone (thieves) infested Cinco de Mayo walking mall. Then on to lovely, quaint Casco Antigua where there are old and restored victorian buildings, museums, stores homes and restaurants all nestled together on the waterfront. We managed to celebrate Erica's birthday over a three day period, topping it off with a coconut spice cake. Towards the end of her stay, we were joined by Sammer Elias who stopped by to see us after an extended surf trip in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Pictures to follow once we get our computer back from the shop!! This typing is being done on our itty bitty Asus surfing 2g computer with a very small keyboard.

El Valle del Anton

We decided to take a field trip into the higher elevations and after a 2 hour bus ride ended up in El Valle, a beautiful little community outside of Panama. Rain dampened our attempt to hike to the waterfall and hot springs, but we did enjoy many yards and a Sunday market where we bought some Panamanian trinkets.
We traveled with Ron and Kathy of Vilisar and Mark of Erika. It is always great to get off the boat.