Prepping to get ready for a Pacific crossing, but still have to get those daily chores done. This picture grossly overstates my involvement in doing laundry, though. Ali is the one who seems to be doing this on a non-stop basis. The new dinghy motor arrived and I didn’t even … Read More
Off the Hamster Wheel
Countdown is flying past. Down to eleven days now. The goal is to get off the dock, go sailing out in the bay, anchor out for a couple days to make sure everything is working as it should be, then grab some good weather and head to the Marquesas. The … Read More
On the Clock
Three months ago we were finally heating up to get ready to go sailing again. We’d just ordered more solar panels and I was researching a big lithium battery overhaul. Then Grammy got sick and sailing was put back on the back burner at a very low simmer. For the … Read More
Off to Portland
Grammy’s dog figured out that something was afoot, and she wasn’t going to be left behind. She’d hop up in the Porsche, fluff up the car cover, get all staticky, and take a quick nap in there, confident we wouldn’t disappear without that car. There’s a stamp you don’t see … Read More
Pressing On
We’re usually busy in the mornings, when the sun is shining in the backyard with views of the mountains. But in the afternoon, when it’s time to unwind, we have the sun streaming into the front yard. We’ve turned into garage people, where the weather is fine and the views … Read More
That Sinking Feeling
Back in November Ali and I spent a lot of time and effort on securing our Mexican Permanent Residency. Then the day before we were supposed to pick up our cards I had to return to the States to help my mom. Ali was able to get hers before she … Read More
Mend-Straight
As mentioned, Ouest got a new sewing machine. Aunt Beth is here so one night we asked, “Hey Beth, do you know how to sew?” “Nooo, I can’t even menstruate.” “What!?” “I can’t even mend-straight.” (This pic is Aunt Beth. Grammy’s twin sister.) As I’m sure everyone has gathered by … Read More
The Covid Fog
At the beginning of December I called my mom one afternoon. Her sister Beth was visiting and was the one who answered the phone. I sarcastically asked, “Who is this?” She replied in a panicky voice, “Who is this?” and one beat later said, “Pat, they’re taking your mom to … Read More
Bumfuzzle in the Media
August 2023 – Expedition Portal May 2023 – CNBC September 2022 – Success Magazine September 2022 – Sistership Magazine July 2022 – The World Wanderers Podcast June 2022 – Chris Burcher Podcast August 2021 – Passagemaker Magazine September 2018 – Medium Interview January 2018 – Kate and Nate Interview February … Read More
Good Times Leading to Hard Times
About three weeks ago my mom went into the hospital with Covid and the flu. Over the course of two horrible weeks she managed to beat them both off with a ventilator. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of the problems, and she remains in the hospital today, fighting for her … Read More
Revolution Day
Revolution Day was another great reason for a parade. The third parade in about two months in downtown Puerto Vallarta. There isn’t a lot to say about it other than it was a fun, family-friendly day out. In Mexico every generation is well represented at outings like this. Not only … Read More
Across the Caribbean
When we sold Bumfuzzle, the Grand Banks, a few months ago I agreed to deliver her up to Puerto Rico after hurricane season had blown through. So for the past couple of weeks we’ve been keeping a pretty close eye on Caribbean weather. I even paid Chris Parker (the Caribbean … Read More