Sunday, February 15, 2009

The wind decides when

It will be a week tomorrow that I have been in full commitment to Patrick and Melanie's sail boat. We are working hard to get everything in order, and we are basically ready to go but we missed the last window to cross the gulf stream, because we are still waiting for a specialized part to arrive in the mail. We are in the mercy of the direction of the wind to tell us when to go, a window usually opens up around every 7 days, so it seams we will be here for another few day still, which will be useful to get the last details sorted out.
Open Sails for the first time
All the sails where open, that boat catches a lot of wind
Enjoy the photos and videos on my flickr page (click here)

This past week has been great. Every day I go from "Otarie" Sail Boat to where Quick Silver is docked. we work for the days and then I go back to Otarie to eat and sleep... It has been a true pleasure to be doing this everyday. I got to meet the crew of a Canadian Sail Boat called Ghost Dance. Gram, Rob and Joanne very friendly peeps from New Brunswick, Canada.
First sea trail ride of Quick SIlver
Quick Silver's first ride on open waters... It was very foggy that day, .5 km visibility. This is Jameson, Pat's friend who was working with us.
Enjoy the photos and videos on my flickr page (click here)

It takes about 25 minutes to row from Quick Silver to Otarie that is anchored at the end of the harbour, and it is usually a very enjoyable ride weather in the morning, dusk or night time...
"Otarie's V birth"
This is the v-birth of Otarie, where I sleep at night, that window allows for the moonlight to shine thought on my face... delicious nights!
Enjoy the photos and videos on my flickr page (click here)

I'm hopping I get to see my friends from Conch key before I leave the states for good.
Sunset across the harbour
Moments before the sunset, I was rowing under the Boot Key Bridge on my to Otarie!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Getting ready...

Otarie
Since last friday I had been cycling from Conch Key to Marathon to help prepare the sail boat, for our trip to Cuba then Guatemala. I took Sunday off to say goodbye to my friends at Conch Key and as of Monday, I have been sleeping on a boat. It is called Otarie, she belongs to Patrick and Melanie before they aquired QuickSilver, they one we will cruising on.
Otarie look out
Otarie is a much smaller sail boat and it is really comfy for one or two people. Last night was the first night I have ever spent on a boat. I cooked a couscous dinner, eat it outside looking at the stars. Then later I fell asleep to the full moon light shinning on my face. I Slept like a baby....
View form the Mast
The other day I went up the Mast of Quick Silver to change a light bulb, it was a nice view up there...

I think that I have come upon another passion of my life that had been dormant, as I had never been exposed to it before. Many thoughts of living and travelling on a sail boat with my dear, have come rushing through my mind several times the last 20hrs. I'm super exited for this leg of the journey and have been working hard for it.

Pelican sign
Enjoy the photos and videos on my flickr page (click here)

We are aiming to sail to Cuba this Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Stay tunned!

Friday, February 6, 2009

Quick Silver

I have been back in Marathon for a couple of days and have been going to meet my Quebecois friends, to help on the boat, Quick Silver. There is still a lot of work to be done before we can go anywhere, but I figure that the more help, the sooner we'll be sailing away. The plus side is that these extra days will allow us to become familiar with each other before hand, they are really friendly and fun to be with!

I wanted to thank Leroy and Cindie for giving me a ride from Key West to Conch Key on Wed, and Katrina and Bill for their never ending generosity and offering me their beautiful apt at Sunset Villas free of charge for 3 nights. Today I'm moving back next door (where I stayed when I first arrived in Conch Key), at Gerri and Ron's place next door for a couple of nights... Thank you for your friendship and hospitality!
Sunset at Grassy Key
Sunset in Grassy Key, as I was ridding to Conch Key last night
Enjoy the photos and videos on my flickr page (click here)

By the beginning of next week I will be sleeping in Pat and Mel's small boat that is anchored just outside of the Boot Key Harbour. This way I'll see what it is like to sleep on a boat, and be a 30min rowing dingy ride away from the Quick Silver (instead of an hour ride by bike).

Paul
Today on my ride to Marathon, I met Paul on the road, he has been bicycling zigzags across US and Canada for a couple of years. He is 64 years old and very friendly, hauling his bike trailer everywhere he goes. It was a pleasure to meet you Paul, Happy trails!!!

sail boat...
Just after sunset in Key West

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

A Letter of Apology

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This letter goes to Laurie from Downsville, in New York state western Catskill region. Please click here to read the original post and comment.

Dear Laurie,
About 24 hundred miles after I had the pleasure of your acquaintance, Now in Key West as I was browsing older blog posts, I stumble on your comment.

First off, I am so sorry that you felt under appreciated on the blog, after re-reading it, I can see how you did. However, The blog only represents a small percentage of my feelings on the road, the feelings of gratitude and friendship I felt for you after being welcomed so well at Pepacton Natural Foods, were beyond what is in the blog. However I can also add that after all these miles on the road I have really been learning about the power of reciprocation, I notice that my posts now days are much more detailed to thanking those beautiful human who help me along the way. So what I can tell you now is that you are a fundamental part in my journey of human-ness. For this I salute and thank you.

The factual details of how I drank 10 litres of fabulous free coffee and hogged your only internet connection for 3 hours that you had to chase an UPS truck down the street. I'm sorry. I hope that you don't hold yourself back from offering your hand to others because of the experience your had with me. If being on the road has tough me anything is that accessing ones human-ness by offering help, trust and friendship is the best thing we can do to another that goes way beyond physical/factual/minor details, and it has a profound impact on us, consciously or unconsciously.

wishing you all the best,

Lalo

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Come swim with me!

In current news, I decided to order a new quality fork for the bike it should arrive Wednesday by noon. Advance thanks to the professional and friendly service of Patrick and Raymond at Fixed Gears, soon after I'll make my way to Marathon to dedicate time and labour for preparing Quick Silver for the sea... Cuba here we come!!!

Help yourself
Wonderful organic eco-friendly wholesome food joint on Fleming St in Key West