What I know....

Bear with me on this blog please...it is only about what I know...
I know that all three of my children are now Washington State University Alumni... and proud is just not a strong enough word for how I feel about each one of them... I know that I love sharing my enjoyment of the water with my children...snorkeling...swimming... I know that I love scuba diving with my son. I won't go so far as to say it was because I was a fantastic instructor...but we both hope and will plan to scuba dive more in the future together...he is a wonderful buddy...

I know that I love being around all of my children...again I won't go so far as to say it was because I was a good parent (I know I made many mistakes). They are such a joy to be around, they travel very well, and they love me...in spite of me...and, speaking of travel...after a few relaxing days at Fantasy Island... beach time...the only boat time we got in...a little tourist time....

I know that I and each of my children individually and many times thanked Captain Paul for his hospitality and graciousness even though he was not feeling well for some of their time here...love you dear...

then we took the ferry to La Ceiba (mainland Honduras) where I had a car rental waiting (not the one I had ordered but we made do...thanks again guys)...and off we drove...with a map from the rental car place that was so general that truly it was like having no map...the 5-6 hours to Copan Ruinas...which took 7 hours because we took a long lunch at Applebee's in El Progresso; I took a wrong turn in San Pedro Sula (who knew there would be no signs for Copan Ruinas?)...
a torrential rain storm...

thank heaven we were already through San Pedro Sula when it hit as there was severe flooding there... being part of a cattle drive...windy mountain roads...and then the several...well... more than several stops in Copan Ruinas for me to show my kids what exellent Spanish I can speak asking directions to find the hotel! Now in my defense...before that began...I did offer to let them check out the town and I would find them after I had checked in...but they caught on that it was because I had no idea where I was going...and bless their hearts they stuck with me!!

Copan... the town, was a lot of fun...we enjoyed our bed and breakfast...

our dinners out...the ruins were amazing...our guide was great...

and spoke English very well... Then off to La Ceiba again...return the rental truck and to an Eco Lodge in the jungle...for a jungle zip line over a river and into the jungle...ALL of us went on the zip line...yes, all of us!!!Would it make sense to say that what I know is so very much more important than all of what I don't know!? But, really, I guess I got sidetracked from "what I know"... so back to the purpose of this blog...
I now know that Honduras is a beautiful country, mainland and islands (as my kids would all agree "beautiful and buggy"). I know it was great fun to travel together with my children...I know and have always known that I love each one of my children so very much...I know that I am a very lucky mom...and above all I know that words will never be able to express how proud I am of my babies all grown up!!! I love you lots!! Your DSW mom!

Under the Water Again!

Some pictures from West End reef and some from French Cay reef...we actually have been lucky enough to see the Green Morays swimming at both areas!It is just that sometimes the flash goes off and sometimes not...This little Lionfish was at around 75 feet...I thought that was a little deep for them...This Green Turtle was just hanging around at about 35 feet or so...until he thought I was getting too close and then he watched me as he swam away ....The chubs and Atlantic Spadefish thought Jeff was going to feed them...they were so pesky swimming around...Paul insists it was the female Chubs hanging around him...but they were fun to swim through as we headed to the wall...I'm thinking this is a Shy Hamlet...uncommon in the Bay Islands...Yellow Fin Grouper hanging around on the top of the reef wall...Wall color....Top of the wall color...Teeny tiny Juvenile Spotted Drum...Scrawled Filefish...Nassau Grouper hiding behind a Common Sea Fan...yes, under the water again...isn't it gorgeous!!

Picking up where we are...Roatan

Yes, it has been two months since we have updated the blog. Whew...a lot of water under the keel. I am choosing to pick up where we are for right now. Perhaps another time...It was a great sail from behind the reef in Guanaja to Isla Roatan,west down the north side of the island. We were in company with s/v Calusa, John and Robin.

Following seas and gusty winds had us anywhere from 6 knots to 10 knots… wing and wing...following seas...very little roll...just surfing down a wave now and again!

Because of Paul’s depth sounder issue (oh, …goes back to the San Blas to Providencia rough passage and water to the top of the floors in the bow and forward head bilge compartments) we asked to follow Calusa in through the gap in the reef to the West End anchorage!

They were great leaders and onto a mooring ball we tied!Next thing we know we were headed into a local bar where Dragonfly (Jeff and Una), Dream Weaver (Paul and Karin), and Rainbow Rider (Gary and Linda) were having Happy Hour…Calusa joined us all and Anne from Living the Dream came by to visit as well (John was off playing volleyball)!

Now this could lead into a much longer story...as we have been buddy boating with Dream Weaver, a 48 foot Kadey Krogen since leaving the San Blas...in Providencia we met up with their buddy boats and friends, Dragonfly and Rainbow Rider. We were taken with open arms into their friendship and what a delight this group has been to travel with! From our snorkeling, diving, traveling, fishing, and eating together we have so enjoyed this "leg" of our journey! I have even now tried conch...of course Linda's fresh conch fritters...well not sure any restaurant could equal! I have also had the opportunity to compare different sushi! Yes, raw fish...I was able to taste test King Mackeral, Wahoo, Blue Fin Tuna, and Yellow Fin Tuna all as fresh caught sushi. Without the coaxing of Jeff and Gary...I would have never tried it...and now I'm so glad I did! Of course the Yellow Fin Tuna won! We hope to continue enjoying their company for another month or so here in Roatan, then as with all cruising, from here, this great group will be headed in different directions...but what a joy and pleasure we have had being included with this group!


Back to the present....Off for a quick dive the next morning…Paul got settled in and enjoyed finding the lobster even though…because it is a marine park…he cannot hunt them! The barracuda was sure interested in taking a circle around Paul though! Who was hunting whom?! And, the Green Moray…thinks he is hiding…but he is safe here…from all but cameras anyway! The picture uploaded sideways...but you get the idea!! The grouper was getting his gills cleaned by cleaning fish... and, this juvenile Threespot Damselfish is wondering where I’ve been…doesn’t he look like he is asking that? Okay, well, maybe not…but, for whatever reason it feels to me like we are “home”! I am not sure why… it could be because I’m flying back to Seattle from here to see my mom, my kids, my family, and to see my son “walk”…graduate from college; it could be because my kids will be here with me for a week in May; it could be because I get to go under the water so easily here; I really don’t know. What I do know is that I enjoy the feeling…and we are here now until mid June!