Nov 19-20: How does one spell cold at night - time for sexy long johns.  The boat heaters run non-stop.  Nov 17-18: Off loading Moonlight to raise the water line over 2".  Incredible the amount of accumulated gear while cruising outside the US.  Now that we are in the US and have a car loads of stuff have exited the boat to storage.  Nov 16: Attend boat show here in St. Augustine.  Nov 14-15: Drove to Cocoa Beach and viewed the shuttle launch to the International Space Station.  Highly recommended!!.  Nov 1 - 13: Arrived at the boat and began to clean-up after absent for five months.  It will take a few days to make her look beautiful again.  Also a little gel coat damage from Hurricane Fay that blew through here in July.  Nothing that time and money cannot fix.

Oct 2008:

Oct 30-31 and Nov 1: Driving to Moonlight located in northeastern Florida.  Oct 20-29: Just walking every day, shorting e-mini S&P500 index futures and watching this incredible presidential election rhetoric.  Check the ticker for election night.  Oct 17-20: Walking 2 hours daily and shorting the e-mini S&P500 index futures market.  Oct 11-16: Back in the USA and adjusting to the +7 time zone versus -2 on the other side of the planet.  Also preparing to drive back to Moonlight.  Oct 10: Drive for 3.5 hours to Düsseldorf, Germany then sit on a plane for 11 hours and wa-la we return to the other side of planet earth again in the northern hemisphere back to Orange County, California.  Oct 6-9: Just hanging out in Creutzwald with Yen's brothers house.  Soaking in a community spa and eating dinner in exotic restaurants in Creutzwald.  Oct 5: Dinner with everyone from Creutzwald and Anny and friend.  Oct 4: Walk, run, bike through various villages in Germany and France.  Oct 3: Rain and cold weather (8 degC) so time to stay inside.  Oct 2: Back to Creutzwald and to the swap meet. Oct 1: Party and shopping in Metz, France a medieval city in eastern France. 

Sep 2008:

Sep 26-30: Travel to Creutzwald, France with Yen's brother and nephew.  Sep 25: Stop in Strasbourg, France.  Sep 21-24: Tour Rome to the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and Ancient Rome plus Pantheon along with the Fountain of Tervi.  Sep 19-20: Tour the Tuscany coast of Italy.  In the cities of Florence and Siena.  Highly recommend Siena.  Met two cruisers in Florence - Mai and Dave.  Sep 15-18: Flight to Venice, Italy and tour the city of canals.  What an unusual island with incredible history.  Sep 12-14: Return to Creutzwald, France.  Sep 11: Another anniversary of infamy.  Sep 8-10: More touring Paris museums, gardens and landmarks.  Sep 7: A birthday in Paris, France.  Walking/touring in Paris is interesting.  There are no fat people except for tourists who speak English.  Why is that?   Our non-scientific observations think there are several reasons:  1)There are no soda machines and no soda in grocery stores.  2)Everyone walks as the price of gas/diesel is around 7-8 $/gal or people take the bus/metro that also requires walking.  3)Television is lousy so more incentive to be outside moving rather then sitting in front of the TV.  4)Fashion is important here and fat is not fashion.  5)The food in France is low in glycemic index values versus high in the US.  So interesting comparisons - any other reason?  Sep 3-6: Touring Paris on foot and metro (subway).  Walking to all the museums and the Eiffel Tower and every street market plus eating great food.  Sep 2:  Helped Yen's niece settle into her new home and had Pho Ga in China town in Paris.  Sep 1: We rode the TGV high speed train to Paris for a couple of weeks of museums, Eiffel Tower, Versailles and metros.  Quietly traveling at 200 mph on the train was an engineering delight. 

Aug 2008:

Aug 28-31: Returned to eastern France in a village of Creutzwald we a great deal of weight loss, injured toes and very strong legs. Aug 6-28: We completed our walk of a lifetime through northern Spain's country side and on to Finisterre.  Check updates.  Aug 5:  The unknown has arrived today as we board the plane this morning bound for Spain.  We will walk out of the airport and continue on to Santiago over the following weeks.  Aug 4: A drive to Germany for the best dark beer and dinner.  We awake at noon and stay up until 3 AM as adapting to this side of the planet is not easy.  Aug 3: A visit to Simone's parents in the afternoon after a walk in the forests of eastern France.  Aug 2: A drive to Metz and cappuccino in the town plaza plus last minute shopping to weigh down the packs made the day.  Aug 1: Bon jour from eastern France.  Eleven hours on the plane so today is a rest day after a walk around a lake in the village of Creutzwald located in eastern France next to the German border.   

Jul 2008:

Jul 30: We fly to Frankfurt, Germany tonight.  Jul 29: Packed and ready.  Yen's pack is 15 lbs. and Ron's pack is 25 lbs. and these will be carried throughout the walk. Jul 24-28: The walk of a lifetime will become the priority after family parties on the week-end.  But still time to  walk ten miles or ride 20 miles on the bike and of course eating too much food.  Jul 23: Off on another trip after walking only four miles in the morning.  Jul 21-22: The experience of purchasing our "necessary" items for the pilgrimage is almost complete.  Yen's new 40 liter backpack will hold essentials for her.  Jul 7-20: Long walks continue with the buildup to walk continuously for eight hours (about 24 miles) in a day just for the fun of it.  These walks involve great conversations on every attribute of life's peculiarities and enjoying the rare beauty of open spaces in So. Cal.  Walking is such fun and at times we even feel a little spiritual or maybe we are just spacing out.  Jul 1-6: The preparations begin with our first step.  We are not sure quite how to prepare other than pack the backpack as light as possible and pick up airline tickets.  Oh, walking a "few" miles per day helps. 

Jun 2008:

Jun 30:  Away from Moonlight for a couple months.  Jun 25-29: Back on Moonlight hanging out with crew from Pathfinder.  Jun 13-24:  Completed a little sailing trip on the open ocean (1276 nm in 7.5 days of actual sailing).  Jun 12: Yen in OC and I am at sea for a few weeks.  Jun 11:  Yen departs to OC and Ron departs for other worlds.  Jun 1-10: Hanging out in St. Augustine and meeting An & Huang and dearest friends Ariel & Tim and an evening with Heart of Texas crew, Rankin & Sandy.   St. Augustine with Foucanina Pizza and natural real live ice cream every night is hard to beat anywhere.   Where does the boat go from here - no where until December. 

May 2008:

May 24-31: Into St. Augustine/Jacksonville at a marina and into land life.  May 23: On our way to a marina today.  May 20-22: Set sail for the east coast of Florida.  The sailing was exceptional so we continued on and on and on.  All afternoon the second day we were sailing 10-11 knots directly to our destination due to a huge push from the gulf stream currents.  We covered 375 nm in 53 hours that is very fast under sail for Moonlight.  We arrived into a nice little anchorage in the early afternoon and was greeted with a million tiny gnats.  Needless to say, we will move to a marina today.  May 19:  Last day in Key West walking all over town as our bus passes expired.  May 17-18: Great visit from dear friends, Len & Norma, from Ha-Ha days and Oxnard.  We walked the entire city of Key West just to take a picture next to a painted landmark of the most southern point of the US.  So they are the first couple to visit since we returned to the US - come on down to sunny Florida for a stay on the boat.  May 16: It is a Friday so off the boat to the movies.  Time for some cool movie at the cooler theater. Will we ever depart this little city.  May 12-15:  Still exploring Key West.  This little city is the most southern location in the US.  Tourism thrives here and is a fun place. May 10-11: Walked everywhere in downtown Key West and especially enjoyed Harbor Walk.  It may take several days to exit here.  May 9: Up early and 12 hours later we are in Key West, Florida.  Moonlight returns to the US for the first time in four years.  She has sailed us over 5100 nm.  We are ready to celebrate.  May 6-8: At anchor in Dry Tortugas, Florida and exploring Fort Jefferson and resting.  May 5: Finally tacked for Dry Tortugas and arrived at 5:30 PM.  So 2.5 days to cover 292 nm.  May 4:  Off of Cuba and the wind indicator has to be broken.  All it ever reads is over knots and wind on the nose.  We covered 135 nm the first day.  May 3: Departed Isla Mujeres for Dry Tortugas, Florida.  In the afternoon, enjoyed being in a washing machine with Force 5 winds and 10 ft seas.  Just hang on it will pass.  But we are doing 8 knots towards our destination.  May 2: Moved out of Marina Del Sol and off the mud - hooray.  May 1:  How many times can a Mexican official stamp ten pieces of paper just so we can get out of the country ...... answer - until the damn page is full.  It occurs every time we enter and leave a country and continues to be an incredible spectacle to watch and difficult to keep from laughing.  But we are almost free to depart on our return to the US.  After the check-out is finished we kind feel like we have won the lottery or something special.  Saturday is still the departure day and we are very ready. 

April 2008:

Apr 29-30: Completing preparations for our passage to Key West on Saturday morning.  A 377 nm crossing that will consist of a little sailing and lots of motor sailing in light winds.  Preparations consist of making sure we will be safe then every thing else falls in place.  Of course, the days are still passed with a morning run/walk and sitting on the computer surfing checking weather and stock reports and doing nothing.  Apr 28:  Someone's birthday is today.  Our grand plan is shopping in Cancun, followed by a movie in a real movie theater, followed by dinner out then more exciting shopping at Wal Mart then a romantic boat ride back to Isla Mujeres.  Quick send Yen a Happy Birthday greeting.  Apr 27:  Swept the bottom of the boat for the first time in three months.  Do you know where every little creature that lives on the boat goes when scraped off.  My skin was not feeling good until I flooded myself with scalding hot fresh water.  Creepy crawlies everywhere.  Apr 26:  Up the mast four times to repair a jerry-rig that was installed back in early January.  Now we can sail again on port tack with confidence.  Walked to town in the evening for a Cappuccino.  Apr 25: Starting completing every little project from "the list" for our passage to Key West.  Apr 24: Back to taking it easy and walking all over the island.  Apr 7-23: Finally returned to the boat on April 21 and now fully recovered from my last delivery of a 66 ft. power yacht from Colon, Panama to Key West, Florida.  Recovery means back into the cruising life - morning walking, on the internet and even preparing the boat for the crossing to Key West in a couple of weeks.  While I was off working, Yen prepared and cleaned the boat so it looks like a new show room boat.  We will look good in the US.  Apr 6: Circled the island while running and walking.  Finally arrived in town and wolfed down a crepes breakfast.  Then went to north beach for lunch, swimming and napping on the beach with turquoise waters.  Temperatures in the mid-80's.  Apr 5: Rain in the morning for all of ten minutes while out for a walk.  Another lazy day of napping and watching a couple of movies. Apr 4: Out for a walk to downtown and breakfast on the beach.  Napping during day to recover from ten days of little sleep.  Apr 3: Returned to boat after last trip.  Need sleep for a couple of days.     

March 2008:

Mar 24: Heavy rains in the night and early morning.  Making final preparations for off the boat for a week.  Yen remains on-board for R&R without the main R.  Mar 23: EASTER - Long walk to north beach for sun and lunch.  Stopped along the way at Church of Guadalupe and asked for mercy.  Returned for a get together in the evening on the boat with fellow cruisers.  Mar 22:  Out for a walk and to the market.  Then watching movies at the boat.  Full recovery.   Mar 21: Summer Solstice and first day of summer.  Another lazy day of recovery.  Yen's famous chicken soup saved my life.  Mar 20: More of just laying around trying to get well.  Temperature up to 86 degrees and high winds stopped so it feels warmer or maybe it is just the high body temperature trying to fight off the cold.  Mar 19: Lost day as I was sick as a Mexican dog and Yen walked to town for some shopping.  Mar 18: Hour long walk (3.8 miles per hour) around the inner lake then back to the boat for a lazy day.  Mar 17: Hung and us depart to the airport this morning and a little more shopping then departure for LA.  We shopped in Cancun and returned to a quiet boat.  Mar 16: Morning breakfast of fruit smoothie & toast then off to church.  An attempt at more snorkeling but the waves were too rough for the dingy to arrive at our private beach.  Mar 15: Out for a morning hour long walk.  Then Hung and Yen have to shop in town while I completed several maintenance items.   Mar 14: Touring Tulum ruins.  The Mayans must have chose this site for location, location, location right on the Caribbean ocean.  Then off to Playa Del Carmen for ugh shopping in a nice tourist town.  We returned to Isla Mujeres and enjoyed dinner on the beach.  Mar 13: Travel to Tulum to view more ruins on the coast and travel to Playa del Carmen - a tourist destination location. Mar 12: More snorkeling at the beach with Hung.  Mar 11:  Morning walk followed by good breakfast.  Spent afternoon activity of checking out baby turtles hatchlings and their racing to the beach.  Temperatures in low 80's.  Mar 10: Out to the reefs for a snorkeling adventure taking Hung for a dingy ride.  Even Hung was in the water for only a short time.  Then more walking and Mexican Train with Sera.  Mar 9:  Off to church in the morning then a swim at the beach.  Follow that with lunch at a local restaurant and walk back to the boat.  Now it is time for Vietnamese soaps and a movie to finish a lazy Sunday afternoon.  Mar 8: Walking for an hour then stop at the local mercado (local market).  Powerful north winds continue this morning.  Mar 7:  Off to the beach after a morning of shopping in town.  Completed some boat maintenance and waiting for Yen's Flaxseed Banana Bread to finish cooking.  Played Mexican Train dominoes at night.   Mar 6: Long walk followed by shopping in the local market.  Then curry for lunch.  Finally into town for ice cream and a 2-mile walk back to the boat.  Hung is adapting well to this lazy days life style.  Very windy, 80 degree clear weather.  Mar 5: Return to the boat at Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

February 2008:

Feb 20: Off the boat for two more weeks.   Feb 1: Depart from the boat for a month.

January 2008:

Jan 28-31: Preparing the boat for a month long absence.  Jan 24-27: Traveled to Chichenitza and EkBaalam. Both Mayan ruins and a small Mexican village, Valladolid, on the Yucatan peninsula with Vic & Linda from Sera.  Great exposure to authentic Mayan culture both past and present. A delightful time indeed.  Jan 18-23: How do you spell hanging out in paradise and doing nothing - Isla Mujeres.  Especially when the north winds bring temperatures that drop to 80 degrees during the day and 75 at night.  It is windy and chilly.  But the rains stopped after three days and we just keep running and walking every day all over the island and playing on the internet for joy and entertainment.  Eventually I must do some maintenance on the boat (I completed the list) while Yen has made brownies and banana bread.  Jan 17: Arrived in Isla Mujeres, Mexico.  Sailed 200.5 NM in 24 hours.  Our fastest passage ever.  A two knot current in our favor helped push us along.  Beautiful touristy town and it may be awhile before we depart.  Jan 16: Departed Xcalak, Mexico and sailed over night to Isla Mujeres next to Cancun.  Jan 15: Sailed 25 miles to Xcalak, Mexico.  After two years, Moonlight has returned to Mexican waters.  Jan 14: Departed San Pedro, Belize and returned one hour later after a torrential downpour.  We will try again tomorrow.   Jan 13: Walked the entire town of San Pedro after saying good-byes to Len & Norma and Roy & Marlene, all departing on the yacht, Damiana.  Jan 12: Sailed 12 miles to San Pedro, Belize our last stop in Belize.  Toured the town and it a bustling tourist destination.  Too busy after sleepy Caye Caulker.  Jan 11: A day of snorkeling in beautiful coral reefs and viewing some magnificent reef fish.  A day to remember as it was just delightful with perfect weather and skies and the ocean and coral was breathtaking.  Jan 10: A trip into Cay Caulker was tiring as this is a tourist destination and one sleepy laid back easy going village.  Everyone is moving at a slow pace and there are signs saying "Go Slow".  We had to return to the boat and re-energize ourselves.  Jan 9: We sailed from Belize City to Cay Caulker in 20+ knot winds for 25 miles.  It took 5.5 hours of moving along but arrived in plenty of time to watch a movie and relax.  It was nice to be out of a marina and back on anchor with no sand flies attacking us.  Jan 8:  Our intended departure will be delayed a day after awakening to a failed controller on the refrigerator.  I have been carrying a spare for over a year and after an hour all is working good.  Who says all these spares do not have value.  Now if I only had spare standing rigging - life would be perfect.  Jan 7:  We walked all over downtown Belize City definitely safer than downtown LA.  People are friendly and like to help us find our way.  We finished the day by having dinner with Mike & Gloria on Windfree who we had met in Panama last year and sailed north with almost a year ago.  Jan 6:  Finally the wind veered to the NE and the rain stopped so after six times up the mast, the intermediate shroud is repaired and re-tensioned.  So the real test will occur under sail.  Sure would feel better if a rigger could do this job because it is a SWAG for me.  But my repair looks nice from the deck of the boat.  Just to show my confidence in my work, I also rigged Spectra lines from the mast head and intermediate spreader "just in case".  Jan 5:  We are beginning to question just how long the wind can blow in one direction and how much rain can fall out of the sky.  It is endless.  Jan 4: Went into Belize City for provisions....enough said about that place.  We look forward to staying in the marina  Still heavy rains and wind so unable to go up the mast.  Jan 3: Many necessary repairs completed and still hanging out in Cucumber Beach Marina.  Jan 2: Howling winds arrived about 01:30 in the morning and have not let up as a huge cold front that dumped snow in the Midwest now dumps wind and rain on us.  The temperature is way down to 77°F (25°C) which is chilly in Belize.  We are happy to be sitting snug in a marina while this storm passes over head.  Our day is completing many maintenance items that will allow us to sail onward without too many distractions.  Jan 1: After two movies last night to celebrate the New Year we slept in until 06:00,  hooray.  Then a walk with the sand flies and now I am typing while preparing to ride in the Bos'n chair up the mast for repairs.  The only way to spend New Year's Day - doing boat maintenance in exotic places.

December 2007: