Hola from Puerto Lindo

We are still here in Puerto Lindo, anchored off the Isla Linton. Last Monday we got the bad news that our SSB radio, which would allow us to communicate long range, is beyond repair. We had bought a new tuner and modem for it, and got all the licenses as well. I even learned Morse code to hold the proper radio operators license, so now we are like "The Gift of the Magi". We decided to go without it at this point.

Tuesday November 21, a major storm system came our way. This normally tranquil anchorage was turned into a Maytag, heavy-duty wash cycle. Boats dragged off of anchor, one boat Orion, seems to desperately want to escape out to sea. This is the 4 ^th time she has dragged or broke anchor while we have been in the same anchorage with her. Before that a call for help came over VHF radio from a single-handed sailor with a broken fingers, who could not find secure spot, and kept re-anchoring during the night.

Gregory went out to the rescue twice that day, glad for the chance to help another sailor as we have received so much help from the community.

One boat is still on her side on the reef and the village docks have all been wiped out by heavy surf.

I was trying to be a good sport about all of this, but on day 3, I really needed to get off the boat. Our friends here invited us over for Thanksgiving dinner at Roger and Binnie's Summer Place (which should really be called Summer Palace), but without a dock to land on and the surf pounding it did not seem possible.

Gregory did not want to leave the boat just then so he dropped me off at a private dock that had survived.

I got to the end of the dock, sooooo happy to be on land. At times like this, I wish my husband had a "normal" vice: like gambling, drugs, or women. I took the coastal path; timing my progress with the waves I made it to Roger and Binnie's. Roger is a former builder and has built a unique refuge here in Puerto Lindo. Their place reflects their love of nature and wildlife that is everywhere here. It is absolutely incredible beauty, comfort, and convenience of the best the modern world can offer, without disturbing natural, wild beauty of jungles around it. They invited us to stay in one of their guest apartments, which of course made my day. The thought of going back to the rock and roll in the anchorage was not a pretty one.

Gregory joined us a bit later and we had a fabulous, traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, great company best of all, and the floor was not moving!!!

After three days of storming the seas are finally quieting down, and we are considering to weigh our anchor in the next two-three days to sail for San Blas.

This is a picture of Carol and Lightening the Sloth.
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Gregory