Monday, January 19, 2009

Entering the Channels

Sunset at Puerto Santa Domingo

Volcan Chaitan

Natural Haul out with a 20ft tide


We are now entering the proper Patagonia Channels. After cruising the gulf and islands of the Chiloe area, the channels are quite different. Surounded by high mountains and hanging glaciers, its quite a sight. Pictured above is a shot of our haulout aginst the marina wall where we cleaned the bottom in preparation for the trip south. Also a photo of nature at work as Volcan Chaitan continues to erupt and create new mountains.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Decompressing in Chiloe


Hello from Isla Chiloe! Casey and I are anchored off the 'big city' of Castro, a population of 25K, the largest on the island. Regrouping from a whirlwind 3 weeks of traveling both on and off the boat with Casey's parents and sis. So good to have them, but so good to get a little breathing room back on the boat. 35 feet for 5 people is not adequate for very long!! but, we managed not to kill each other and even continue to like each other, a real plus! So, today finds Casey and I doing the usual shuffle in preparation to start making way to the southern fjiords - cleaning, shopping, restocking the fridge with meats, veggies, as much fresh stuff as we can keep, changing the engine oil, refueling the tank, and a literal reshuffle of items on deck. We are carrying 15 more gallons of fuel on deck for a total of 6 jerry cans, plus 2 spools of shore lines which we are told we will need to secure to most anchorages as we head south. Casey is constantly thinking of how she's sail with this on the starboard side and that on port...