We’re leaving when???

Jaltepeque Estuary, El Salvador

After another month of procrastinating, we have actually set a departure date.  In only two days time, we plan to exit the estuary for the first time in almost 3 years. Needless to say, it feels as if we are starting this sailing life all over again.  It’s not that we aren’t organized, we have been working through some pretty comprehensive checklists; it’s more that we aren’t really sure what items should be on said checklists anymore.  Oh well, as I have often told anyone who will listen, it is not rocket science.

One of the things that has made it most difficult to leave is that we have been having such a good time this last month.  With most of the major boat projects completed, and an influx of new boats arriving, we have been busy with a heavy social calendar.  In addition to the usual evening gatherings at various venues for sundowners, cocktails, pupusas, swims and such, we have taken part in a few extra activities that we have not done since the El Salvador Rally days.

A trip up the estuary to the Rio Lempa, stopping at the village of La Colorado on Isla Casahara.

A day trip with “the boys” to the hardware store, on to Puerto de Diablo, and an attempt to find an elusive stellar observatory (we found it but it was closed to the public).

The hotel put on a Super Bowl party yesterday, that was almost a joke when they couldn’t get the Internet stream to work for the big screen.  Sometime in the first quarter, they did get it going, only requiring a reset every 10 minutes or so.

A couple of the last minute boat projects on my list were cleaning the decks of all the bird crap and cane-burning residue, and then a long overdue servicing of the mast winches.  Susanne was a bit upset with me for not wearing a shirt during these projects, resulting in a rather attractive red and white striped backside.  You would think I would know better by now.

Tomorrow we have scheduled Deny and his boys to clean the bottom and the prop, ready for an early morning exit over the bar at high tide around 8 AM the next day, Wednesday. We have a freshly filled propane tank and plenty of fresh water.  Today I topped up our diesel via jerry jugs.  With any luck we will be in Chiapas in Mexico by Friday!  WooHoo!

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