Carla and I have been together almost a year. We met last January 12th and it stuck like super glue. Needless to say I’m looking forward to 2013 living and loving in paradise with my bonnie lass!
All I can say about Carla’s Dad is what a great guy! Man I hope to be in such good spirits when I’m 78! I’ve now had the pleasure of having Carla’s brother and wife, Mother and husband, and Dad aboard 
Splendid. Carla really has a healthy and lovely family. I’m happy to be a part of it.
Rudi (Carla’s Dad) brought us an Argentine flag which we are proudly flying aboard Splendid.
We had lots of laughs, clean food, wine, and I can easily say I’ve made a new friend. Rudi also brought lots of goodies from the States like a new battery charger, Faria gauges for a new dash I’m building, and the final parts 
I needed to build our water maker. As soon as I get back to cavitation I need to build a platform for the cat pump in the engine room, do some plumbing, and baddabing, 26 gallons of fresh water an hour!
The weather is transitioning into the dry season. I woke up in the middle of the night and went out on deck to a perfectly clear sky, nearly full moon, and 20 knots of 
dry wind from the east.
We have booked charters from the 7th through the 12th of January, and another from March 2nd through the 9th. One was a referral from a charter I had a few years back, and the other through Project BlueSphere. If anyone is looking for a healthy slice of paradise, clean 
food, and some peace, let me know. My goal is to finish Splendid and ready her for some comfortable long distance voyaging by next season. I’m also a bit under the gun to finish the Minimalist Sailor as well as my book. Well, when I say “under the gun” there isn’t too much stress involved. If I spent the rest of my life among the Kuna living in this 
magnificent and magical place, it would be a life worth living in every sense of the word.
I’m going to make a run to Panama city at the end of the month to buy paint. Carla and I are going to start on the hull & cockpit.
I hope to see some of my readers who have been waiting to take the opportunity to unplug take the step this New Year. The sea is fair, the water warm, and time the most important commodity we control. Let’s not waste the 
beautiful life we possess. If you don’t go cruising come fill these seats for a spell, they are on Banedup Island and we like to anchor just off it.
Happy New Year guys.
Sail far and live slowly!
– alex
I’ve been working for six long years as I can, and when I can, on my Cape Dory 28. She’ll let me know when she’s ready but it is starting to look solid for Spring 2014. I’ll be joining y’all in warmer waters!
Peace and Happiness for the New Year,
Bubba
Todd, sounds like a good plane 2 me :)
Happy New Year everyone.
Happy New year man!! I know I usually send yo holiday emails, Sorry I missed you on xmas. I hope you and Carla had a wonderful xmas, and a even better New Year this year…. thats if its even possible… as the years go by I feel like it gets even better for you.. I just Hope the same for myself, as I seriously need to make some changes in life to make myself truly happy… and I would like to follow your footprints to do so.
thanks for all that you inspire
Happy New Years Cold cell. My life does get better every year and I’m the luckiest, and most grateful guy in the world.
Don’t follow in my foot prints, make your own. It’s just about seeing the path and not following the system super-highway set before us. With everything I do I just ask myself “positive, or negative” and follow the positive. It always leads me in the right direction. Listen to the little voice in your heart, not the one in your head as it has an agenda.
What a beautiful day in Paradise. I made fresh bread and hummus. Carla is curled up reading “neither here nor there”, and I’m putting some paint on the hard dink.
Peace.
I understand. Not quite following your footprints, but following the same type of path to happiness.. I am long over due to be happy.. in about every sense of happiness I have been lacking it, and its had me down… I read your past logs and get lost in them as if I was a kid and it was a story, when it is actually your story. but when I finish reading for that moment I get a sigh of relief. I know it sounds crazy but for a moment when I read your blogs I feel as if I left this realm and stepped into yours for just a few minutes, ” Because I do My reading at work ” Shhhh… But it helps me out till I can find my way out.. I am about ready to get rid of my 22 ft seafarer and move up.. im thinking a 30′ would be plenty for me to live on comfortably, its just hard to find the all around perfect keel for me.. around here many of the boats that draw my attention draw 5′ or 6′ , which I think is kind of deep for island living and not to mention my travel plans to Greenland… Not to mention Im on a tight budget right now.. Im thinking about getting a 30′ ,staying in the channel off lake ontario for the summer and then fall, head south…. but I wanna do the channel to do what work needs to be done and save money….
Hey I will stop filling up your blog and get off here but if you have some ideas that help send me a email or on here…
Cheers
Steven Wilson
Steve,
I battled with the lack of happyness for far too F’n long, I know where your coming from my friend. I draw about 5′ and I’m just fine.
Remember it’s not about the boat, it’s about the journey. What’s your “budget” or lack of budget? If it were me I could work with $0 if I had to. Plenty of boatyards that want to get rid of derelicts. I’m sure you could exchange some time (work) if you hint around. Don’t be shy to offer creative financing (work exchange, payments, swapping something). The key is to find something you want to keep after all the work, example don’t buy a McGregor.
Peace Amigo, stay in touch.
Cheers and Happy New Year Alex!
Well 2012 was a big year for us, we purchased a sailboat, started the refitting and are scheduled to go on the Ba Ha-Ha this October south to Mexico :)
The REAL journey is almost begun, I’ve been dreaming for over 10yrs for this day and it’s literally nipping at our heels. My Wife has been a INCREDIBLE support, and partner along the way – in fact, we wouldn’t of found the right boat if it wasn’t for her (1982 Amel).
Crossing our fingers all goes well, just fixing up the last items on the list before winter is behind us, and then a ton of shakedown cruises to Catalina before the Ba Ha-Ha in November 2013 and off to the Sea of Cortez we go! We’re downsizing and leasing out our loft, and seeing how it goes for a extended 2 months…so excited/scared/fearful – but stoked to start a new adventure in our life together.
Cheers, and thanks for your continued inspiration for over the past 5+ years (I think I’ve been a member that long!).
Best,
Jer
Forgot to mention: The plan is to then take toe Pacific Puddle Jump with other cruises in March 2014 ~ if all goes well on the Ba Ha-Ha ;)
Jer,
Good on ya M8! Amel makes an AWSOME boat! The French are really dialed in when it comes to sailing.
I wish you guys the best of luck. Mexico has fantastic food, great beer, and warm water. I’m sure you’ll have a blast.
Peace.