Back to the old

This post is long overdue for lots of no good reasons. I have been writing as I can but didn’t get around to posting because I’ve been trying to do it as one but there is just too much to cover. With everything we’ve had going on I haven't had the time to wrap this as one so I am working it so that it covers more than just our chronological story but wrap it into posts that deal with topics that are pertinent to our cruising life over the past 2 months. We are currently at this writing still in the States but our discussion goes back to our prep for departure.

We continued our prep for leaving and getting hauled out. While we could have left the boat in the water while we’re gone we would have then had to prep it for hauling out when we get back. Our reason for hauling now is that when we get back we can quickly get down to the work we need to do and there are a few tasks the yard will be doing while we’re gone. Unlike boats left on the hard in hurricane zones there is no weather need to haul out in the Rio Dulce. Boats come and go all the time. So far this season several storms have been projected as heading toward Rio Dulce only to fade out or head north before getting that far west.

Amekaya being hauled.

We were hauled out on Thursday 29 June just a day before we left and the boat was placed on the hard, challenging us with getting her ready for the stay on land.  Once positioned on shore we had to setup the dinghy for storage so it wouldn't be hanging from the arch in the sun. We had to install the dehumidifier and air conditioner so they could run effectively while we were gone to keep the inside cooler and drier for everything we were leaving. Even though the marina has someone that will be checking the boat to keep it cleaned inside and out; ensure the safety of the equipment and that the air stays on. I also smeared grease on the stands and sprayed the underside of the stands to try to minimize the ants getting onto the boat while we’re gone. We also set several insect traps inside to destroy any infestation.

Amekaya being situated on the hard.

This is the first time we ever hauled our boat outside the US. The haul out crew at RAM is excellent and did a great job in the haul out. We watched them haul several boats before us and they always exhibited extreme competence. RAM has a 100T lift with plastic sleeves over the straps that fill with water to cushion the boat when it's lifted to keep the buckles off the hull.  They even have a diver go down to check the straps and ensure the sleeves are full of water. With four lift straps it took extra care to position each one of them.

After hauling out we moved into one of the apartments at the marina for 2 nights so we could clean up the boat and close it up before having to leave. The marina has several apartments available for short-term rentals to patrons while their work is being done. It gave us the chance to organize our packing for traveling.

Stripping cockpit winches and cleaning them. 4 done with 7 to do.

This will be the longest time that we have been away from our home since we moved aboard in 2014. There was so much to be concerned about beyond simply preparing the boat. We had to determine what we needed to take for living out of a suitcase for 2 months, what did we need to take to storage, what did we need to accomplish when we got back and more importantly what did we need to bring back with us. Having the West Marine Store at the marina and hardware stores in town made getting some things in-country easier but there was still much we needed. The challenge was what did we really need and which was the best way to get it. We tried to determine what we could get locally, what we could carry back and what if anything we needed to ship back commercially.

Looking out from our cockpit just before we left the marina.

Heading out to the airport.

Early Saturday morning 1 July our cab arrived very much on time to take us to the airport in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Traveling from Rio Dulce there are 3 potential airports. Many people make the 8-hour trip to Guatemala City. Travel can also be from Belize City or San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The trip to San Pedro Sula was about 3 ½ hours and featured a frontier border crossing. The scenery was very enjoyable and noticing the differences between Guatemala and Honduras raised questions about why things were called by different names in the same language.  

Scenes of the countryside from our trip to the airport.

A cattle drive down the highway.

The border crossing.

Banana trucks on the way to market.

A palm plantation for producing palm oil.

Banana plantations.

Once at the airport the trip back from there was uneventful except our luggage was late being delivered for customs so we missed our Chicago flight and got in much later than expected.

So here we are back in the States for 2 months to accomplish much with what seemed like a long time to do it. After rushing to prepare things to get here, now it is time to execute.