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Gilmore On Going In A Privy

2010-11-28T06:03:00.001-08:00

Reprint of a funny post by a funny guy…

Perhaps one day I will tell you about my own experiences. David Gilmore does a great job and he deserves to have his time in the bathroom alone…so here goes!

Life 2010 Forward

the subgenius musings of David Gilmore

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Posted by: facetothewind | November 28, 2010

On the banks of the San Pedro River – my thanksgiving in Cascabel, Arizona

Somewhere over of the Rincon Mountains southesat of Tucson, on the thorny banks of the San Pedro River, there exists a precious and small community called Cascabel. I’ve only visited twice and have come to know it through the eyes of my Radical Faerie friends who live there. In spite of what appears on the surface to be harsh living, they live with a sense of purpose and joy and respect for the earth. They make incredible meals from the garden with food they trade with neighbors. It might be called simple living but it is anything but simple. Living in the desert requires a lot of craftiness and commitment to provide themselves with the services we press buttons and pull levers for. Erik who has lived here for a decade is a master builder, gardener, plumber, electrician and does it all with an extraordinary sense of grace.

I spent my thanksgiving there with the boys, mostly in the hammock reading and babysitting the chicks. The stone cottage Erik built by hand is set into the east-facing canyon wall and is kissed daily by the sun. Solar panels attached to two car batteries provide lights, music and refrigeration. The crisp, starry nights dip below freezing but the days are almost always pleasant. They cook with a solar oven and a propane stove. It’s a beautiful if isolated place about 20 miles from the nearest small town. Coyotes, javelinas and rattlesnakes crisscross the saguaro flanked dirt road access. Here you have a real sense of the wild west and you learn what it is to be a pioneer when you’re out in the middle of the night fixing water lines from the well to the house.

Here are landowners Erik and Shreevie (left and middle) and guest Orchid (right) on the land by Shreevie’s trailer.

Erik harvesting greens for thanksgiving dinner…

while Shreevie catches grasshoppers to feed to the chicks for their thanksgiving feast. I tried my hand at it but was only able to catch the giant ones by throwing my handkerchief over them. Erik then cut them into pieces for the chicks. I was slightly horrified by the whole process as frankenhoppers kicked around without their heads. Compassion for the little ambulatory mandibles fades when you consider the damage they do to the crops. Not to mention how much the chicks go CRAZY for them.

Shreevie with the chicks on the sofa and Orchid (who is a chef in San Francisco) manning the oven. Someone really should invent chicken diapers b/c the chicks are fun to play with but they’re all too happy to leave wet surprises on your lap. And speaking of poop, here’s the big story of the weekend…

———————————————————————–

M Y T H A N K S G I V I N G P O O by David Gilmore

I don’t know if you’re like me, but I’m one of those people who likes to have a perfectly controlled and serene environment for my morning constitution. I’m what you might call a high maintenance pooper.

So on my first visit to Cascabel, my precious poo-ness crashed head-on with the hilltop toilet — what I call “Poo with a View.” Yes, from this toilet you can see about 30 miles in any direction. And if the neighbors were in possession of a telescope, they could see you perched there on the little white toilet seat placed over a composting pit. This, I might add is the only toilet seat you will find on the land. And so those of us with sensitive sphincters need to brace ourselves at least once a day for one of those shitty showdowns — the need to get the deed done versus the need to do it in privacy and with dignity.

My post-thanksgiving visit to the throne was anything but dignified. Let me explain.

A little back-story about the Radical Faeries is necessary. On the Faerie sanctuaries, there are what they call the “shitters” — an inelegant term for the latrine. The Faeries pride themselves on being fabulous in all things except in my estimation, when it comes to the toilet. It usually consists of a few toilet seats on a bench deploying a design aesthetic seen only in German concentration camps and military bivouacs. There are no feather boas twinkly lights or delicate privacy screens at the shitter…not even an elegant name for the facility.

The other notable principle of Radical Faerie-ness is that on the sanctuaries there is only one rule and they will yell it at you loud and clear: NO PISSING IN THE SHITTERS! OK, OK, I get it. Put away your magic wand and tie dye, I promise I won’t piss in the shitter. The reason of course being that the urine mixed in with the soon-to-be humanure ruins the process by adding too much moisture and urea. I don’t understand the whole process on a scientific level. I simply know that you don’t dare violate that basic tenet when visiting the toilet. Pee on a tree somewhere else before you do number two is all you need to know when stay with the Faes.

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nd so keeping that in mind, I set forth after my morning tea to Poo with a View to relieve myself. But somewhere on the way to the toilet in my urgency to take care of business, I forgot the only rule. It was probably the fact that it was about 35 degrees and windy.

I perched atop the toilet seat and then quickly jumped up realizing the seat was not in fact one of those Japanese heated toilet seats. No, the seat was probably just above the freezing mark.

I decided instead that I would squat on the seat to avoid the shock of an icy seat on my thighs. But rather than squat indelicately on a toilet seat with my shoes on, potentially soiling the only smooth white surface in the desert, I thought I should at least kick off my shoes. And so stepping aboard in my socks, I aligned myself over the hole with my shoes placed neatly on the ground below the throne.

And then I began to focus on the relaxation process. I focused on the neighbor’s house. Wrong. I closed my eyes and felt a frosty wind tickling hairs that usually don’t blow in the wind. I clenched. I squatted there with my hands huddling around my legs for warmth, hoping for the inspiration needed to trigger the series of events necessary for me to accomplish my manurey mission. I imagined being at home in my warm bathroom with my silk rug at my feet. And then it happened.

I did it — the Business part of my business happened. And then as always happens the waterworks were about to begin when I remembered that wicked Faerie rule: NO PISSING IN THE SHITTER! Crap. I needed to stop it before it started and we all know that once #2 has launched, there ain’t no stopping #1. It’s an autonomic response to just let it all go. All systems were indeed Go and I was gonna be in big trouble for ruining the next batch of humanure. Someone would no doubt be emptying the pit months from now and would get whiff of my urine and they would trace it back to me and I would receive some sort of Radical Faerie pipe bomb in the mail for my toilet transgressions.

The nice thing about being a man is that you do have one fail safe method to avert the stream. It’s called pinching the hose, much as you would cut the flow watering the rosebushes with a garden house. You simply grab hold and squeeze. And so I thought, no problem, I’ll just reach around my right leg and pinch hard to stem the tide. And I did.

Trouble is I still hadn’t done the toilet paper part. Of course now I was going to have to do a left-handed wipe, which is a bit out of my natural dexterous inclinations but I could probably pull it off. Just then a nice canyon wind whipped over the hill and blew the toilet paper off the throne. So I would have to get up and run after it and all the while trying not to smear the pudding in the process…if you know what I mean.

But there was one problem: I couldn’t stand up. I had my right arm wrapped around my right leg, deployed in pinching the hose. Imagine trying to get up from a squat position with your right arm wrapped around your leg while holding your junk tightly in one hand. It’s the sort of thing that only a player in a game of Twister could imagine. Only I’m trying to stem the flow, and chase down a toilet paper roll and preserve my dignity on a hilltop with the neighbors watching. I began to imagine that neighbor hooking up their webacam to the Poo with a View and recording it for a show on the world’s stupidest humans. “Honey come here, you won’t believe this.”

It was at this point that I realized the only way to retrieve the toilet paper was to let go of the hose and try to aim the now high pressure stream off the throne and THEN waddle over to get the TP. So I let go and managed to relieve myself of my full bladder and the last remnants of my dignity all over my shoes neatly placed at the base of the throne. Lovely. Now I have pee-soaked shoes and pudding crack and have no doubt gone viral on the Internet toilet cam.

But hey, I was now free to waddle with my pants around my sock feet into the thorny desert to chase down a much-needed roll of baby soft double ply toilet paper. I was just hoping that no dingleberries would drip off into my pocket and into my iPod.

I finally managed to retrieve the roll, waddle back to the throne dry my shoes, pat the pudding and pick thorns out of my socks. I returned to the house frost bitten and humiliated but triumphant that I didn’t PISS IN THE SHITTER! I pissed all over it and my shoes, but not IN it. The fact that I managed to do anything at all was a big congratulatory moment for me.

So when I saw Erik I told him the story of what went down on the hilltop. He chuckled and said, “You know, in Arizona, because it’s so dry here, you can actually piss in the shitter.”

Well, you learn something everyday, don’t you? I learned that homesteading ain’t for sissies.

I am checking now for the webcam broadcast.

LiveJournal Tags: how to shit in the woods,bruce gilmore,faeiry,coposting toilet,privy,primitive camp

Bluffs Hunting Club at Valhalla Bijou is a Wing shooters Paradise!

2010-10-14T21:47:00.001-07:00

Article first published as First Class Wingshooting At The Bluffs, first published on technorati N3UW7XC87265

When I was a kid I wanted to own a big ranch so I could go hunting and fishing. The only problem was, I didn't have the 2 million bucks it took and I didn't have any rich uncles in my corner. Thirty years later, I can say, some things never change.

If you can get to Denver, Colorado, you don't have to own a large cattle ranch in order to enjoy a premiere hunting opportunity. There are a few private ranches and hunting clubs that provide access to Colorado's best hunting habitat. The Bluffs Ranch, near Byers, Colorado, is first rate.

The MacLennon family started ranching along Kiowa Creek in Eastern Colorado over 50 years ago. They named their ranch the Valhalla, “the home of champions”, and soon had a top-notch herd running. later, the MacLennon's acquired a second grazing property at the confluence of the East and West Bijou Creeks near Byers, Colorado, which they call the Bluffs.

The Bluffs name comes from Large land forms which tower above the eroded creek-bed to create the "bluffs". The ranch house is located on this feature and gives guests a chance to drink in golden sunsets of the front range, including Pike’s Peak to the south and Long’s Peak to the North, while tasting fresh Colorado air. This is prime pheasant and Bob-White quail habitat which are native to Northern Colorado. The cover is grassland, dry creek bottoms, and mature cottonwoods, which is also a place where deer like to roam. All of these species are subject to harvesting from carefully managed hunts.

If you are new to hunting and don't recognize the critter when it flies up in front of you, don't be surprised. The ranch also nurtures populations of chukar and Hungarian Partridge to give the hunter a little variety. You may need to study up on your species to know just what it is you are shooting!

Since the ranch augments the bird population, bag limits are higher than they are for a normal hunt. Essentially, the hunter is harvesting a bird that would not have been on the property but for the efforts of the Bluffs. State law excuses hunting licenses for properly augmented species. That comes in handy for non-resident hunters who don’t have time to buy licenses as they pass through Denver International Airport only 40 miles away from the property. A busy executive can be in the fields hunting within an hour after landing at the airport!

The facilities at the Bluffs are nothing short of first class. There is a 6,200 square foot modern lodge that approximates a country mansion. There are six bedrooms and four baths that can accommodate twelve people in modern comfort. In addition, there is a large “club house” perfect for meetings and family fun a few steps from the lodge. The facility is perfect for a corporate meeting with teamwork and leadership in mind.

Sue MacLennan and close friend

Pheasant hunts benefit through team work as the birds are famous for running through the cover of the fields. Four hunters working together can flush the birds. Two of the hunters might stand at the top of a hill while the other two flush the birds to higher ground. When the birds reach the end of the cover they fly. Working the field from the top down rarely works as the birds will often fly before the end of the cover and may fly well out of range. A single hunter might work a field alone and miss many opportunities because he can’t flush a savvy pheasant moving into deeper cover.

The MacLennon’s encourage you to bring your bird dog along. There is access to the Valhalla Kennels. This is great horse-back riding country, as well. With up to 3,000 acres available, there is plenty for non-hunting guests to do while the hunter hones his skills.

The cost of a charter membership is listed at $35,000 with annual dues of $1,500. A lesser costly option may be available under the annual membership program which is listed at $2,500 per year with no large buy-in fee. Instead of monthly dues, members pay $100 per gun per hunt and a fee for every bird. If you get skunked you only pay the minimum hunt fee. Considering hunters frequently encounter 100 birds per hunt, you would have to be a really bad shot to go home without fresh game in your bag.

The Bluffs is located at 76201 East 96th Avenue, Byers, CO., 80103. Don’t let the address fool you, the ranch is hard to find without directions and a wrong turn can lead you onto impassable country roads. The Lodge telephone number is 303 822 8479 E-mail: thebluffssue@aol.com. Russ MacLennon will help you out if you have questions. gundog1976@aol.com.

Technorati Tags: bluffs,valhalla ranch,valhalla on the bijiou,wingshooter,pheasant hunt,hunting club,russel maclennan,sue manclennan,conservation easement,upland game hunting,bluffs lodge,bluffs hunting,ptarmigan,mule deer,harvest

Spence Hot Springs Getting Spanked

2010-10-08T13:47:00.001-07:00

Article first published as Spence Hot Springs Near Jemez Getting Spanked on Technorati.

Spence Hot Springs near Jemez Pueblo in the Santa Fe National Forest remains spectacular in it’s beauty, yet marred by misuse of this gift of nature. A few who come to the famous hot springs are ruining the area for everyone.

The springs, which maintain a constant temperature of about 100 degrees, are collected in various pools on the side of the mountain in the Santa Fe National Forest near Los Alamos, New Mexico.

There are two basic pools, one perched atop the other. Water gently cascades from the higher pool to the lower, leaving the lower pool slightly cooler. The views of the valley beyond are as soothing as is the water. What a great opportunity to enjoy H2o from Mother Earth in nature’s spectacular back yard.

Spence Hot Springs has likely always endured heavy use, even by the early indigenous inhabitants of the region. Perhaps, they too, struggled with the best ways to keep it pristine and a jewel for the generations who follow.

Over the years, efforts have been made to construct other pools to alleviate congestion and to provide privacy of which there is little. However, most of these additional pools seem to go dry.

A sincere effort has been made to control erosion on the access trail, to construct a foot bridge over the river and to keep the foot paths in usable shape. These efforts aside, there have been few changes to Spence Hot Springs since my first visit in 1983. Some things should always stay the same.

Despite being an easy 15 minute hike from the highway right-of-way, Spence was the place where swimming suits were few and far between. Literature about the area warns intolerant bathers to beware. However, during the most recent 6 years, a no-nudity policy has been in place. Some rangers reportedly insist on adherence.

In an odd way, requiring visitors to wear more may be contributing to the damage to the spring. Naturists, as those who prefer to bathe in the suits they were born in are called, have a certain code of conduct.

As Allen Campbell who owns the Wilderness Hot Springs near the Gila Cliff Dwellings points out about his own spring, “Nudists keep the riff-raff out”. They frown on inappropriate sexual activities in public and are sensitive about the concerns of parents with minors.

In addition, most naturists take great care of the springs they use, since there are not many places that cater to the lifestyle. One must wonder about the wisdom of giving the informal care-takers of this great resource the boot.

The USDA web page warns “Nudity is a violation of state law and you can be cited”. How much do you want to bet the mother of one of those rangers spent some time skinny dipping in Jemez Springs?

The Forest Service has also tried to limit use of the spring to day-time only, another failed plan. It only takes one graffiti artist painting his signature late at night when others are prohibited from being at the springs to destroy the experience for others. Constant use means constant guardians.

It is not how many people use the spring that affects the success or failure of the nature experience. It is how the spring is treated by those who use it that counts. The current care-takers, especially those who use it, have a lot to learn.

The spring is located about 7 miles North of the pueblo of Jemez Springs on State Highway 4 between mile marker 24 and 25. There are other springs in the area including private springs like the Jemez Bath House which is owned by the city of Jemez Springs.

BuzzNet Tags: spence hot springs,jemez hot springs,jemez springs,santa fe national forest,new mexico hot springs,hiking trails,new mexico tourist

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta = Fun!

2010-10-05T04:45:00.001-07:00

While I am waiting for La Vida Nueva, my sailboat, to come back into my life, I have been busy doing things I would have done with La Vida Nueva. The Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Festival was always high on the list!

I am a licensed pilot but a Balloon endorsement I do not have…nor do I plan to get. Still, to see the 600 participants lifting off en-mass reminded me of my own flying days, mostly by the seat of my pants!

Ballooning is a lot like that. Sure, there are plenty of rules. But at the end of the day, it is you and your wits and a very real chance that you are not coming home for supper that night that makes the sport “edgy”.

Today, we mourn the fallen from this festival, Richard Abruzzo and Carol Rymer Davis, who likely were killed when their balloon catastrophically failed and plunged into the sea at over 50 miles per hour.

Abruzzo, 47, of Albuquerque, and Davis, 65, of Denver, were participating in the 54th Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race when contact was lost Wednesday morning in rough weather over the Adriatic Sea. During prior yeas, the two veteran adventurists were at the Albuquerque Balloon Festival.

They will be missed by those who knew them personally, and their spirits will be missed by all pilots who understand each venture aloft bears the risk of one ugly yet possible outcome, that one time when everything fails or just one thing fails, and we are forced to meet our maker doing what we love the most.

Flying, in whatever form, is full of adventure, and for me mostly full of freedom which can only be matched by the freedom one has when we shed the bonds of our lives and our bodies and move to the next life.

Fortunately, none of the balloons or dare devils who operated them, were involved in any accidents or incidents. They are simply a window into the sport for me, a moment recorded for history, a memory of my own, maybe apart from the balloon, but in my own way like these leaders, when I put it on the line and launched for heaven again!

BuzzNet Tags: Richard Abruzzo,Carol Rymer Davis,hot air,albuquerque,balloon festival,la vida nueva,tim paynter,flying,pilot's license,spirit,travel,adventure

Abby Sunderland – Dismasted, trips epirb, 16 year old is “o.k.” waiting for Rescue, yacht afloat

2010-06-13T03:04:00.001-07:00

An entire generation of dreamers and future adventurers have been watching little Abby Sunderland in her quest to be the youngest girl to sail around the world. It does not look like Abbey is going to make it.

Abbey trips two EPIRB’s, not reachable. A parent’s nightmare!

Abby reported high winds and rough weather shortly before.

One of the EPIRBS was from the one associated with her life raft.

Concerns are, Abby may have had to ditch her Open 40 sailboat Wild Eyes.

Reports are coming in that 16 year old Abby Sunderland has tripped two EPIRB's.

2015hrs GMT June 10, 2010-“The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has told Yacht Pals that the Wild Eyes EPIRB and Abby's personal locater beacon were tripped approximately 2,000 nautical miles WSW of Perth, and that the ‘weather is very poor’”

2027hrs GMT June 10 - Abby Sunderland's parents Laurence and Marianne Sunderland said they spoke with their daughter. She had been knocked down several times with 60 knot winds and seas of 20 to 25 feet…that is 25 feet up and 25 feet down…

“Abby has all of the equipment on board to survive a crisis situation…She has a dry suit, survival suit, life raft, and ditch bag with emergency supplies. If she can keep warm and hang on, help will be there as soon as possible.”

2153hrs GMT June 10 - Qantas Airlines tells Yacht Pals it will send an Airbus A330 to the location of the EPIRB, in an effort to attain visual confirmation of Abby Sunderland's location and/or establish radio contact.

0640hrs GMT June 11 - Abby Sunderland is alive! Her boat is upright!

0654hrs GMT June 11 - Abby Sunderland's parents say, "Wild Eyes is upright but her rigging is down. The weather conditions are abating. Radio communication was made and Abby reports that she is fine!”

Photo Above: Abby Sunderland's boat Wild Eyes dismasted in the Southern Indian Ocean.

1850hrs GMT June 11 - Abby Sunderland's team:

'Abby Sunderland was in great spirits after being spotted' say rescue members. Search and rescue crew members have described how stricken 16-year-old yachtswoman Abby Sunderland remained “in good spirits” after being spotted from the air yesterday.”

June 12 - "In preparation for the arrival on scene of the fishing vessel Ile De La Reunion anticipated for late this afternoon, RCC Australia has tasked a Global Express aircraft to the scene. This aircraft is planned to arrive at the known position of Wild Eyes at approximately 4.30pm AEST.

The aircraft will attempt to regain radio contact with Wild Eyes ahead of the planned rescue. The position of Wild Eyes continues to be monitored via distress beacon transmission. Weather in the area has improved slightly with 30-35 knot winds and a 4-5 metre swell."

June 12 - Marianne and Laurence Sunderland:

"Abby was safely transferred to the French fishing vessel Ile de la Reunion in the early hours of our morning.

Fortunately, the weather had calmed down enough that a dinghy was able to be dispatched for Abby to climb into and to bring her close to the 100' steel vessel.

We were able to speak to Abby very briefly once the transfer was complete. She sounded tired but good. She had a good sense of humor but was clearly in the early stages of coming to grips with everything.

June 12 - Statement from Abby Sunderland: "Sorry I haven't written in so long as you probably already know I had a pretty rough couple of days. I can't write much now as I am typing on a French key pad as well as trying to stay seated in a bouncy fishing boat.

The long and the short of it is, well, one long wave, and one short mast (short meaning two inch stub.)

Crazy is the word that really describes everything that has happened best.

Within a few minutes of being on board the fishing boat, I was already getting calls from the press. I don't know how they got the number but it seems everybody is eager to pounce on my story now that something bad has happened.

There are plenty of things people can think of to blame for my situation; my age, the time of year and many more. The truth is, I was in a storm and you don't sail through the Indian Ocean without getting in at least one storm. It wasn't the time of year it was just a Southern Ocean storm. Storms are part of the deal when you set out to sail around the world.

As for age, since when does age create gigantic waves and storms?

I keep hitting the wrong keys and am still trying to get over the fact that I will never see my Wild Eyes again. So Ill write more later.

Technorati Tags: abby sunderland,zach suderland,indian ocean,yacht dismasted in,60 knot winds 20 to 25 foot waves,epirb tripped,qantas,youngest girl to,yact pals,yachtpals

Abby"

Wild Eyes II will be even better, Abby! Stick with it, kid. A lot of young dreams are riding on you, and you have brought them true for many!

The information for this article was taken from the Yacht pals site.

Technorati Tags: abby suderland,wild eyes,indian ocean,yacht dismasted in,abby's yacht,two epirb's,qantas,youngest woman to sail,abby suderland 16,zach suderland

Free Arizona travel map and tourist guide! Sail up the Colorado River!

2010-05-19T09:53:00.001-07:00

Some guys buy my yarn about sailing my boat from Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico via the Colorado River. Every sailor has a yarn!

If your travels are going to take you to the state of Arizona you might as well get your free map! Here is the site for the map. The Arizona Tourist Board sends it out no charge! Get it now while the supplies last!

Arizona Visitors Guide! Free, hit this link!

Sad to say, if you are of minority status, meaning you are not “white” Arizona HB 1070 makes travel in Arizona risky. Be sure you carry full identification and you will be fine! Should you encounter problems we would love to know about them, please send us an email so we can report your story!

Technorati Tags: la vida nueva,gulf coast sailing,mexico,port isabel,tayana,hurricane,galveston,rio dulce,arizona,colorado,leaving your,sailboat,how to retire onto,tourist guide

15 Year old pirate could do life – He terrorized ship’s captain, hijacked ship, sailboat skippers breath sigh of relief!

2010-05-19T09:01:00.001-07:00

A Somali pirate finds himself in hot water after taking over a ship, bragging about pirating others

As I try to get back to my beloved Tayana 36 in Port Isabel, Texas, I can’t help but think about the trip ahead of me.

While a long ways in the future, if ever, I can see my self sailing off of the African coast. I can also see me sailing off of the Mexican coast on my way to Belize or Guatemala's Rio Dulce.

Mexico is ripe with drug dealers, kidnappers and ner-do-wells. I think many sailors sigh in relief to know some of the pirates who have been attacking civilian craft are being brought to justice!

It is sad to see one of the pirates, Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse, likely being under-age. It is tragic to think a youth could spend the rest of his years in the cross bar motel for piracy.

On the other hand, these rogues have been terrorizing private craft for years with impunity. The fact they are under-age does not change the fear and intimidation they bring to sailboat and ship captains and crew. In some cases, the crew are harmed or killed. What are we going to to about that?

Muse is an extreme example of the swash buckling pirate. He brags about his conquests and did not hesitate to use force when he climbed aboard the Maersk Alabama to take control.

Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse was one of the first to board the Maersk Alabama on April 8. As he took over the ship he fired at Capt. Richard Phillips. He broke into the ship’s safe and stole $30,000, according to a criminal complaint filed in Manhattan.

Muse and his cohorts placed what they said was a bomb next to one of the ships crew and told the crew they would shred him into pieces if the crew did not do as they were told. ‘

A Manhattan judge decided Muse could be tried as an adult, meaning he could spend a lot of time bending over for tough guys as he serves his live sentence. He will eventually learn how to avoid the gang rapes he is bound to suffer in the first year of serious jail time.

Abduwali Abdukhadir Muse changed his bright smile with the media attention he has won to tears as he contemplated the sentence that could be handed down.

The 15 year old made the sailors on the Maersk sailors to lower a ladder so more pirates could board. He was not using his head because the sailors tricked him into putting his weapon down in the process. That is when the sailors tackled him and made short work of it in subduing him.

Muse tried to negotiate on behalf of other pirates making an escape in one of the ships long boats. The U.S. Navy shot and killed them. Muse is not very good at negotiating.

Muse’s lawyer said he was really a victim. He was a fisherman who was likely captured by real pirates during Somalia's civil war and forced to participate in the hijacking.

That might be a mitigating factor during sentencing. However, Muse clearly terrorized the captain and crew of a passing ship and most think he should pay a price. Perhaps other pirates will think twice before attacking innocent sailors and ship’s captains!

More information can be found here: Pirate or child? What price should a buccaneer pay?

Technorati Tags: Abduwali Abdukhadir Muse,maersk alabama,richard phillips,somali pirate,pirates,manhatten judge,navy seals capture,tried as an adult,african coast,piracy,hijacked ship

A little of Colorado Un poco de Colorado

2010-04-17T23:06:00.000-07:00

Uncle Tim goes to the mountains

Getting ready to get ready

I had a hunch when I left my beloved La Vida Nueva in Port Isabel, Texas, it was going to be a long time before I could get back. I was right. The recession and some foolish mistakes have cost me dearly. I am in Denver trying to fix things but the fixing isn't going fast! Bummer!

Friend, Melquiades Ortiz, on top of treacherous Loveland Pass!

As I mentioned in prior blogs, one thing I miss in most sailing blogs are the roots. Where did my fellow sailors come from and how is it they ended up in the sea? You will get a good idea of where I came from if you subscribe to this blog!

This entry is about a trip I made to Breckenridge, Colorado. I have also been involved with the immigrants rights movement and that is taking some time, and helping me keep my thoughts off of my rotten fortune.

The Argo Mine in Idaho Springs, Colorado. Considering mining is

unprofitable in the U.S., the owners turned to mining tourists instead of gold these days!

Most of you know my story by now. I started my sailing trip on Lake Dillon high in the Colorado Rockies. I brought the boat down the snake River, thereby joining the Colorado river. I sailed down the Colorado, along the same route as John Wesley Powell. Better said, I mostly bounced my 37 foot Tayana through the deeps and shallows.

Melquiades keeps the Statute of
Military hero Dan Conners company

Eventually, I was able to sail onto Lake Powell. What a spectacular place to sail! But the lake is way down and you have to watch the depth sounder with great care! I left Lake Powell at Page, Arizona, and soon after passing Laughlin, Nevada, was able to find a canal deep enough to head East. It was a hell of a trip spanning many weeks. I daresay, it compares with the more popular great loop, but because of the Continental Divide it is one way in and one way out! Actually, I am not sure you could get in. Getting out is all down hill!

Mason 'd Ski. Good folks, at least when

I was getting my snow legs 35 years ago! It is Still around today!

Skiing became one of our big tourist attractions

after soldiers who trained at camp Hale in Colorado

came back from the war and decided to try it just for fun!

When people spot my home port of "Breckenridge, Colorado", painted on the stern of La Vida Nueva, they smile. Most don't believe anyone could get a blue water sailor with a six foot draft down the route I describe and they probably have good reason to doubt my claims. It makes for a great yarn and maybe it happened that way!

My friend, Melquiades Ortiz, joined me for a drive from Denver to Breckenridge, Colorado. Let me tell you a little known truth about the "Big D" as we call it. Considering the harsh weather, I don't see why anyone would live there during the God forsaken winter unless they were getting high on weed and skiing every day, or they were simply trapped!

Monument to mining

Driving Up Loveland Pass

Melquieades pushes his Dodge Durango up the hill

Summer is very different. Still, if it were not for the Mountains, you would have to be plain nuts to stake your claim in Denver. Clearly, when you hear a cool mountain stream flowing by your feet, inhale gulps of crisp mountain air, and watch a cutthroat rise to a fly, the insanity of living in the "Big D" starts to make sense! In the winter, falling into the marshmallow powder of a deep snow while skiing leaves one with the same conclusion. The beauty and peace which nature brings to life makes the "Big D" all worth it. The only thing close to it is El Mar. That is Spanish for the sea!

Loveland Pass summit

Once you reach the summit of Loveland Pass there is a stairway into the sky. After making it to the top of the stairs you feel like you are in heaven. Needless to say, I have had a few spiritual experiences after huffing my way to the top!

Melquiades and I decided to take the old route to Brecky. That took us over Loveland Pass, long feared by truckers and flat landers during snow storms, as one of the most treacherous roads in the country. If you make it up the Colorado River one day be sure to call me and I will come meet you and give you a hearty pat on the back and a quick tour of the mountains!

Stairs into the sky!

We are going up there? He asked with wide eyes!

Melquiades makes the summit!

I made the summit, too! (Of course!)

After we froze our nuts off in the wind as it ripped through our clothes, we trekked down to the road, hopped back into the Durango, and started the descent from the mountain peak. The scenery is breath taking, the cold mountain air stops you in your tracks, and the trip was a total blast!

Once we made it down the steep grades of Loveland Pass we came to spectacular Lake Dillon. As beautiful as the Lake is, a boat the size of mine is a lot happier splashing in the waves of the Gulf of Mexico!

Lake Dillion Cut Disappears into the snow! The ice will clear in a few weeks!

Today, the last day of ski season, Lake Dillon disappears into the mountain fog and snow. The Lake takes a sharp turn and runs down the valley towards Dillion.

If you get your boat up the Colorado river to Lake Dillion, be sure to look me up! It is well worth a side trip up this way!

Having fun, spirituality, If Billy Graham could have had it so good

2010-03-12T19:47:00.000-08:00

Life is to be lived, not spent!

I soon will be 'out there' too!

R U with me?

I am working hard to get things set so I can continue with my life journey on the sea. Business matters have become complicated when I needed them to be simple. Oh, well, a higher power than me has other plans. What can I do more than my best?

Until the day comes when I can return to my beloved Tayana 37, La Vida Nueva, I enjoy living the dream along with others. Hope you do too!

GO W
by Giaccom_Films

Thoughts on hurricane Gale, heavy weather sailling, storm sailing, the big tale

2010-03-09T20:46:00.000-08:00

Videos to remind me of

Hurricane Gale

I have been looking around the net to see what I can find that approximates the storm I got my tail into a few years ago.  Not much that compares with it.

It is hard to say which video is representative because there is nothing like the perspective you get from the deck of a sale boat about the brutal strength mother nature has over us. I have never seen a film that really conveys it, rather, it is something you have to live. Likewise, it is hard to tell from these You Tube videos how bad it really was for these sailors. I can tell you, for some, it was pretty bad.

Our waves were higher in all cases than the ones portrayed in these photos; the white caps were much more prevalant, every wave was capped. Iin some of the videos you can see the runners, and that is kinda of what we had. Our runners were bigger. It was odd, as if we were sitting on a beach watching breakers roll in, you could see the runners lining up 100 yards off of the boat and then run across the sea; I don't see much of that in these photos.

What I am describing is what happened during the day. None of these shots approximates what we saw the night the gale hit us. It was pure horizontal rain, the sea was snow white with foam as we peered through the night with our search light. We were exceeding the supposed possible boat speed of 7.5 knots at our 14.5 knots on our tiny storm jib alone! For a Tayana 37, that is a lot of speed.

Check out the videos just for the fun of it and I will tell you about my conclusions at the end.

The following are some great shots, though.

Our wave rollers looked similar to the rollers in the following video, except from our advantage, they seemed to be a lot longer.

Some people thought I was exagerating the wave heights when I finally got back to shore. Just for the fun of it a friend showed me how to check the recorded wave heights from off-shore Coast Guard boueys. The highest we found, much to his surprise, was 28 feet, which is about to my radar dome on my mast, just as I said it was. My 30 foot estimate was not far off.

I came to some conclusions on my voyage 200 miles into the Gulf of Mexico and back. These conclusions will reflect my future sailing plans without a doubt.

1. It was very clear to me there was a fair chance we were never going home as days of heavy weather followed by the gale kicked our ass. I made a pact with myself. If God wanted me, I was ready to go. If I lived through the adventure, I would never put myself in that position again. Sure, anyone can catch bad weather on a passage. However, we could have avoided most of the weather by waiting.

For those who do not believe in God, you can get a feeling of realizing not much was within our control by substituing destiny for God.  If the right circumstances passed, we would live. If they didn't the boat was going to come apart and we were almost certainly to perish. More than sailing as wisely as two souls scared out of our wits can do, the rest of it was out of our hands. I couldn't prevent the massive breakers that attacked our beam during the gale, for example, with waves coming at us from four directions.

Any one of three waves of memory could have ended our travels in the Tayana. If we had been able to make it to life raft, we would have been tossed like rag dolls over the wave tops, body smashing body.

Two of the monster waves hit the port side. The one we took on the port quarter-beam felt like it was tearing the dog house away. The second port side hit was more broad side and leaned us way over. I was concerned about coming back up, as we lay for an eternity on our side.

The killer wave hit us broadside starboard, so hard the fiberglass creaked. My experience with fiberglass is it does not cream much before it fails. That, wave, too, left us heeled over for a long time.

2. We broke the boat. The rudder repair alone cost almost $2,000.00. I lost the oars to the Dingy, ripped the binnacle on the stove out of the wall when I fell, lost other equipment, tattered the stitching from my band new sails, and did a world of damage. It didn't cost my ship mate anything, it wasn't his boat. He wanted and adventure and he was happy to have me pay for it.

Better planning could have prevented it all.

The guys who come in bragging about how they rode out the storm could just as easily be bragging about how using common sense prevented the damage. The difference is, the guys who ride out the storm need to brag, and the guys who ride out the storm value their wallets more than they do the tales.  I am not in a position to fix boats so I can tell big tales.

3. My crewmate did not bring his foul weather gear. Even though he owned his own sailboat I don't think he had any. That required me to lend him mine when we traded shifts. When we were on deck together I tried to be valiant and use a cheap plastic rain suit, as I held my side with the broken rib.

In the future, I will forget valor. My ship mate was asked to bring foul weather gear and he didn't. Meanwhile, we both risked hypothermia because neither of us were then adequately clothed. While it is my obligation to protect my crew and attend to their comfort, someone has to be in charge of the boat. That won't happen with two people hypothermic and drifting into space instead of one.

Certainly, I would not put a crew member at risk of death for my own comfort. But I likewise won't allow us both to lose orientation and place both our lives at risk out of valor, or ego.

Fine, I finally found something that makes our adventure pale in comparason. This definitely did not happer to us!

Heavy weather sailing is a blast. What I didn't know about it is how much a toll the cold takes on you. To be chilled for a day or two is dangerous and exhausting. We were out for seven days, all of which were cold, wet and with a wind chill that bit to the bone. It was a marathon neither of us were prepared for, physically, with equipment and with proper attitudes.

As I say, I won't make the same mistake again!

Montezuma Hot Springs, NM United World College Armand Hammer

2010-02-09T01:10:00.000-08:00

The hottest pool of the Montezuma hot springs feels like a billion pinpricks and is immediately invigorating.

What does the state of New Mexico and the United World College have to do with sailing the Caribbean?

I love reading the many sailing blogs on the net. However, what is missing for me, is where my fellow cruisers came from. How did my fellow sailors get to the Caribbean? Where did their dream begin? What are their roots? The answer gives hope to thousands of young and old alike who dream of one day being “out there”, too.

The trip to Colorado was a lot of fun. On my last day out I was able to stop by one of my favorite haunts, the Montezuma Hot Springs at Pemberton, a tiny city, near Las Vegas, New Mexico.

The Montezuma Hot Springs is more famous for the castle perched above it than for the springs themselves. That is saying quite something since most hot springs have a strong following and diverse reputations.

The Montezuma castle was built by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad as a luxury hotel specifically for the well-to-do. The castle is over 90,000 square feet with 400 rooms. It is actually the third structure built on site as the first one burnt to the ground about a year after completion in 1881. The second structure suffered the same fate on a similar time table. Perhaps the conflagrations were by chance, perhaps through arson or because of bad wiring. These were the first buildings in New Mexico to have electric lighting!

A building of such distinction needed an architect of the era to design it. The famous architectural firm Burnham and Root from Chicago designed the structure. Theodore Roosevelt, who loved the west was a guest, as was Ulysses S. Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman and more notorious guests like Jesse James and Emperor Hirohito from Japan.

Unfortunately, the hotel’s greatest asset, it’s remote setting, was part of it’s undoing. The immense structure was deemed a financial failure and it closed as a hotel forever on October 31st, 1903.

The bare knuckles boxer Andrew Chiariglione, better known as Fireman Jim Flynn, used it's vast halls to prepare for his challenge for the world title against Jack Johnson on July 4th of 1912 in nearby Las Vegas, New Mexico. The training was for naught, as the match was stopped by the Las Vegas Sheriff after Flynn was warned several times against head butting.

"An occasional movie was filmed on site, including The Evil"

The YMCA owned the building for a short time. The Southern Baptist Church used it as a college from 1922 until 1931. In 1937 the Catholic Church purchased the old hotel and Mexican Jesuits operated it as a seminary until 1972. An occasional movie was filmed on site, including The Evil, but mostly the building sat vacant and fell into ruins to the point of being considered unsafe.

In 1981 the spectacular building received a new owner and a new mission. Armand Hammer purchased the old hotel for use as the US campus of the United World College, or UWC, a school with some mystique. The College was founded after World War II in an attempt to foster world peace and discourage the nationalism which was, in part, at the root of the world war.
The college literature states:

"UWC is the only global educational movement that brings together students from all over the world – selected on personal merit, irrespective of race, religion, politics and the ability to pay – with the explicit aim of fostering peace and international understanding."

In order to be selected for study at the college you must be very bright. Some of the students and faculty tell their stories.

you can raise money for the United World College with everyclick. Go to their web page and choose United World College

You can take a tour of the castle grounds at various times during the year. I was blazing through New Mexico on my way to a spiritual event in Aurora, Colorado, so I did not have time to take the tour. The hot springs are another matter!

"there is an iron ladder which brave bathers use to lower themselves into the caldron"

Montezuma Hot Springs has one feature most other springs lack: One very hot pool! The springs vary in temperature from 98 to 112 degrees. In the rustic "hot" pool, there is an iron ladder which brave bathers use to lower themselves into the caldron.

As I dipped my body into the pool a million needles attacked my skin. It is an immediately invigorating experience! I can definitely say I will have a bit more empathy for the crab and lobster I hope to consume when I finally get undere way! Hotsprings of New Mexico

"The buildings are gone and except for rustic soaking tubs the springs are undeveloped"

There are at least three pools to choose from. The use is fairly light during the week so you don't have to share this gift from higher powers with too many others if you don't want to. In days gone by the springs were enclosed in bath houses. However, the buildings are gone and except for rustic soaking tubs the springs are undeveloped.

"Follow the rules, the most enforced of which is no bathing in the buff!"

While entrance into the springs costs nothing, there is a price. Follow the rules, the most enforced of which is no bathing in the buff! The county mounty watches the springs like a hawk, and enforces the speed limits on the roads leading to the Montezuma Hot springs.

While I prefer to bathe in the same suit I was born in, if that is the only way to keep access open, I am for it! Since I did not bring my suit, I stripped to my underwear which is about all that is required.

I look forward to learning about the history, the people, the culture of the many places I visit on my sailing adventures through the Gulf of Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala and the Caribbean. I am sure the stories will be as colorful as that of the Montezuma Hot Springs and Montezuma Castle near Las Vegas, New Mexico. I am also sure I will find symbols of hope for world peace like the one fostered by the United World College (UWC).

Smelling the roses, and cattle, Earth Texas

2010-02-05T23:52:00.000-08:00

See the Planet, Visit Earth, Texas Hill country, fredericksberg, more!

I left the boat yesterday heading for the big D. The city of Denver, Colorado, is home town for me and business required my return. Trust me, I have better things to do, but tell that to my clients, and my creditors!

So I hopped into "Little Red", my Toyota MR-2 Spyder, and headed down the road. Corpus Christi was an easy make. After that it was up hill going all the way! Well, of course, Denver is a long ways uphill from sea level, like 5,250 feet above the grade. But more than that, this trip home has been a struggle.

"When I get tired I get lost"

I started getting really tired around San Antonio, Texas. When I get tired I get lost, and this was no exception. This time was not so bad. When I found out where I was at least I was lost in the right direction! I am not sure how I am going to single hand it to Mexico. Maybe I am not!

After San Antonio came the Texas Hill Country, which is always a pleasure. Not this time though. I couldn't see anything while passing through all of the beautiful country as it was late. I hardly recognized Fredericksberg, Texas, through the glow around the street lights as it has grown like a water bloated mushroom since I last visited it 5 years ago.

"Don't believe the sign on Motel 6"

So I wandered on and on...and on into the cold winter night. I started hitting fog about 100 miles outside of San Angelo. At first it was the thin variety. Then it turned to pea soup. I have lots of experience in winter driving so the fog didn't bother me much. It was the fools with their high beams that got to me. By the time I hit San Angelo I was whipped! Don't believe the sign on Motel 6 which says "$39.95 single"! I got busted for $55 bucks in second rate city. Heck, it was 3:00 a.m. and time to hit the sack!

Today, I decided to smell the roses a little bit. By early afternoon it was clear the shortcut I had taken was a huge mistake. I was not going to make my 7:30 p.m. denver meeting. I might as well smell the roses. So I peeled off and headed onto the first country road that looked interesting, and kinda well traveled. Guess where I ended up?

You read the title! Yep, I ended up on Earth. Er, maybe that is in Earth. The city, that is. So where is Earth and how did it get it's name?

Earth is a Texas, Panhandle city just barely in the panhandle. It sounds like a place some hippie's invented, but the town has been around for a lot longer than that. Here is one account

According to Texas Escapes, "Rancher William E. Halsell did not make the heavens above, or the fishes in the sea, but he created Earth in 1924. He had been in the area since 1901, when he bought up a huge chunk of the old XIT ranch for $2 an acre. In August 1924 he had a town site platted and began selling lots.

The Halsell Land Co. built a hotel, a cotton gin and the first house. Within a couple of years Earth could boast of a café, a service station, a store or two and more residences. And that’s about all the solid ground there is when it comes to the history of Earth."

So how did Earth get it's name? There are a variety of stories.

One story says William and clan were trying to come up with a name when a sandstorm blew in. One of the pioneers opened a hand full of sand and said, "Why not call it Earth!"

"William Halsell wanted to call the town Good Earth"

A second tale says the original name, "Earth" came Washington beurocrats did something they almost never do. Instead of making things longer, they made them shorter. William Halsell wanted to call the town Good Earth. The bureaucrats figured that was too complicated and shortened the name to

"Earth".

A third story says the local postmaster was more descriptive than most bureaucrats want. He described the sand storm that blew in when he filled out the application for a post office. Washington wrote back saying, " "Since the earth seems to move in that country, the post office shall be named Earth." (Or words to that effect.)"

No matter how this quaint Panhandle town got it's name, let's just say Halsell is still waiting to get rich quick in real estate. In fact, he is about 60 plus years late. According to the 2000 census, there were only 293 families living in Earth. That makes out to be a little more than 1,100

Come visit Earth! You may want to pull up a chair and stay awhile! Panhandle living is a lot of fun. No gangs, traffic jams, rush hours and you know what happens to aunt suzy before she gets off of the line!

In addition to fine people, Earth has a veteran's wall! visit the veterans wall!

Next time you are out smelling the roses, be sure to visit Earth!

Yacht taking on water, pumps keeping pace, captain stays calm

2010-01-29T03:12:00.000-08:00

La Vida Nueva taking on water; captain concerned but not frantic; pumps activated

We were working on the shower sump pump last night. I was surprised to hear the sump pump running again today. I call the pump ‘little blue’ after the blue base West Marine used when then made her. Last night’s efforts revealed a clogged line. Little Blue, which was installed in the bilge at mid-ships, put out a heck of a blast. We just could not get the water through the line. Our efforts with a dock hose at full blast failed to clear the line. Since it was late, we left the pump on the high and dry. No use running a pump that wasn’t connected to a hose.

"Taking on lots of water never happens to me. Right?"

Ask me if I was surprised to hear my little pumper humming this afternoon. There had to be a lot of water in the bilge in order for her to go off. I was not overly concerned about it because taking on lots of water never happens to me. Right?

I was in for a surprise! What set little blue off is what sets off most pumps. The float valve. When I pulled up the floor board I was concerned when I saw water. My Tayana 37 never gets water that high. What could be the cause?

I turned on my super blaster pump and after an eternity the water was pumped out. I did not see a torrent coming back in so I decided to check her a little later on. Sad to say, four hours later, I had a bilge full of water half as high as it had been earlier. This is way too much water to come into my boat in so short a time. How to keep a yacht from sinking

"At low tide, La Vida Nueva sits on the bottom"

Who panics when taking on water? If the water is coming in this fast now, will it come in faster as time goes by? I finally found comfort in a shallow harbor. At low tide, La Vida Nueva sits on the bottom. At high tide I was in for a heck of a bath but the boat would be savable. What is there to worry about?

Well, there were a lot of things I should have been worried about. First, my primary automatic bilge pump is not working. That requires me to manually pump the bilge when it gets full. Need to get on that right away. How to design an adequate bilge pump system

After searching the boat, examining sea cocks, speculating about the potantial emergency, and then reflecting, I think I finally found the source of my problem.

The water hose. We left it in the shower. I think it was leaking and filling up my bilge.

It is 3:00 a.m. The bilge seems fairly dry. It is time to turn in and let the god’s decide my fate. If I am on the bottom by the time I wake up it will be another adventure to write about. If not, well I will keep you posted on that, too!

Abbey Sunderland race around the world is it your dream?

2010-01-29T02:42:00.000-08:00

15 year old Abbey Sunderland to be

youngest to circumnavigate

In the news, of late, is the adventure of 16 year old Abby Sunderlad of Marina del Rey, who plans to be the youngest person to sail around the world alone. She follows her brother, Zac Sunderland who made a similar voyage. As I sit in Port Isabel Texas waiting for my turn to be ‘out there’ it is fun to watch others live their life’s dream.

The mechanic who I thought was doing such a great job at putting La Vida Nueva back onto her feet after suffering damage at the hands of Hurricane Dolly is not faring well. I found items which belonged to me in his possession, including personal medications. I am finding lots of errors in his work. A significant part of our ‘progress’ needs to be redone. Not only is it not progress, it is a step backwards when re-doing a prior bad job. Before, we needed to fix things. Now, we have to un-fix and re-fix. Hence, it is a welcome relief watching others live their dreams. Go Abbey!

"I can clearly see significant differences in Abbey's dream and my own"

What about Abby? I wish her the best of luck, as I am sure we all do. However, I can clearly see significant differences in Abby’s dream and my own. You can read news about Abbey here.

My dream started when I was 12 years old and read about Robin Lee Graham and the Dove. What attracted me to Robin’s story went far beyond the sailing adventure. It was the chance to know other cultures, to meet wonderful people, to see places most of us never get to see. It was the coming of age, of meeting one’s life companion that intrigued me. It was the experiences of a 15 year old in over his head, a kid who did not have a lot of money but did it anyway, a person who obviously fought depression, an experience which was under reported. I admired Robin for finishing the job even though he really did not want to. My hero, Robin Lee Graham. Most of these factors are missing from the Abbey Sunderland adventure.

One day I want to be 15. After starting this dream at 12 years of age, I soon gained the requisite 15 years of age, only to find my parents unwilling to put up the $90,000 someone put up for Abbey. Nor were my parents willing to allow a 15 year old to chuck school, college, a job, a career, a future all for a sailboat ride around the world. Looking back I can say they were probably right. Abbey is not willing to do that either. She plans to be back within 5 months.

What is so romantic about 5 months racing around the world? It will make for a great adventure story, maybe a book or movie, and certainly life changing experiences for Abbey. Jessica Watson is ahead of Abbey, another aspiring sailor who will miss allof those people, places and things. Abbey vs. jessica Watson, what lessons are we teaching?

What is missing from the Abbey and Zac Sunderland and Jessica Watson adventure is…well all of the adventures. All of those people to meet, places to visit, new cultures to learn about. For me, sailing is more than sailing. It is the people.

"What kind of hopes do we inspire in children whose parents are poor"

What kind of hopes do we inspire in children whose parents are poor and cannot afford a simple $5,000 bay cruiser, much less an expensive racer? When do we teach others about the meeting people part of sailing? The future of sailing belongs to our youth.

As for Abbey, that is not her thing, at least not right now. As I said, I wish her swift passage and a safe return. As for me, when I finally make age 15, I am 52 right now, I hope I can do it the Robin Lee Graham way. While the dove is now history, the trip is a legend for generations of young people, and old ones, to follow.

The Dove's finals days

I will keep you posted on the progress of La Vida Nueva, and the lessons and adventures of a stranded dreamer waiting his turn.

Dios te bendiga

Uncle Tim

benneteau first 42 dismasted Captain Greg Gladdin fights heavy seas

2010-01-23T22:01:00.000-08:00

Dismasting of

Benneteau First 42 Diablesse

Skipper Greg Gladden Fights Heavy Seas!

As an old time Texas sailor, my friend Greg Gladden has lots of great sailing tales. The dismasting of Diablesse while he was single handing her on his way to Isla de Mujeres must be one of his best!

Greg is also an accomplished criminal defense attorney. He champions many causes to keep our country free. Law offices of Greg Gladden

I crewed for Greg on Diablesse in the Regatta de Amigos race to Veracruz. I had a blast with Greg and learned some great lessons about managing a boat, managing a crew and having a great time! It was one of those 'never forget' experiences!

We returned through Tuxpam, MX. If you want to see real Mexico, Tuxpam is a great place to do it! A must see are pyramids of Tajin nearby.

If you stop in Tuxpam be sure to check in quickly with the naval guard when you get there, as they are not used to a lot of tourists!

Greg enjoys spending time at the haunts on the Boardwalk in Kemah, Texas. If you bump into him be sure to say hello for me and ask him about the Diablesse! The boardwalk in Kemah, Texas, lots of great food!

A note about the Benneteau First 42

The Benneteau First 42 is a fast boat with a functional layout. Diablesse has some special features. Her chart table is clear of the gangway and seas that might tumble in. Greg's boat has pilot berths above the setees which made the trip much easier!

Here is the story of the dismasting of Diablesse that appeared on the net:

Attorney and sailboat captain Greg Gladden Dismasted

Emergency Beacon Aids in Rescue

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – FEBRUARY 11, 2008 – Captains and pilots commonly say bad outcomes result from a series of problems adding up. Sailboat owner Greg Gladden understands this all too well. He was sailing alone 95 miles southeast of Galveston, Texas in the Gulf of Mexico on his way to the Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico when a sequence of equipment failures immobilized his 42’ sailboat, Diablesse.

A little before 5 a.m. on November 18, Gladden, 56, suffered a dismasting in 25-knot winds and 12-foot rolling seas. Afterwards while trying to engage the motor, he found that his propeller was wrapped with lines that had fallen in the water during the dismasting. He could not send out a mayday call because his radio antenna was attached to the mast now underwater.

Gladden was basically adrift.

Story continued below...

=========================================

Here is a Benneteau First 42 you can charter!

Try these guys at: Yacht charter hollidays

============================

Sailboat dismasted

He used his handheld radio to summon help but no one was in range. At 5 a.m., Gladden activated his ACR Electronics’ GlobalFix™ 406 EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) that was in a bracket on the boat. Shortly thereafter, he also set off a second emergency beacon, an ACR Electronics’ ResQFix™ 406 GPS Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). He purchased the ResQFix™ because as a solo sailor he wanted a personal beacon to wear on his person in case he ended up in the water.

At sunrise, he shot off a flare. About 8 a.m., a passing commercial vessel came to his aid and stayed on scene. They were able to relay Gladden’s handheld radio messages to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), who confirmed that they were aware of his distress signal and were working the case. Since the beacon was registered, the Coast Guard Sector New Orleans was attempting to confirm with Gladden’s emergency contacts that he actually was on an offshore sailing voyage.

About 10 a.m., a small USCG jet flew over and made radio contact with Gladden. He could hear the jet but could not see it because of heavy overcast. Several hours later a USCG cutter arrived and towed Gladden and his boat to homeport in Galveston Bay.

Story continued below...

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A typical First 42 Salon

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First 42 dismasted

Although his Thanksgiving holiday was written off and he was aggravated by the equipment failure, Gladden was thankful that he had his ACR Electronics’ emergency locator beacons. “The EPIRBs were the only radio or electronic devices I had available for any kind of emergency once I was out of radio range. I had a sideband radio but the antenna went down with the mast. The EPIRBs gave me reassurance that the SOS signal was going out,” said Gladden. “I wouldn’t set off in a boat offshore without one (EPIRB). Other than EPIRBs, I don’t know of any other help available if your are 100 miles out and are dismasted.”

A PLB is a satellite-signaling device of last resort, for use when all other means of self-rescue have been exhausted and where the situation is deemed to be grave and imminent, and the loss of life, limb, eyesight or valuable property will occur without assistance. All beacons must be registered following purchase.

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Why you should register your EPIRB!

If you buy a used EPIRB and you don't register it then how will then the Coast Guard might be looking for the wrong cat! They need all the information they can get when communications fail! Family and friends of a registered unit can at least tell them when and where you left and how long you have been gone!

Federal site to register your epirb here.

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I have a lot of respect for Greg Gladden's abilities as a captain. I am not sure I would have managed as well.

I am going to reconsider the personal rescue device decision. I remember thinking it was kind of nice but a little over kill and expensive when we went on the Amigos trip.

What would Greg have done if he had not had his personal unit? The ship's EPIRB was supposedly disabled.

In the Regatta de Amigos 2 years later there was a yachting disaster and a fatality. Safety officer Roger Stone from Texas A & M University at Galveston was unable to escape the yacht he was racing, the Cynthia Woods, as she sank.

Stone had been sailing a Cape Fear 38 with 5 others from the University when the keel apparantly fell off. Another Texas A & M safety officer and four students had no time to grab the ship's EPIRB as they scrambled from the quickly sinking yacht. In fact, the boat went down so fast they ended up in the water with four life vests between the five survivors.

What do you want to bet safety officer Steve Conway and the four students wished they had a portable epirb device as they contemplated their situation? Fortunately, the Cynthia Woods was reported missing when it the sailors failed to check in on time. The five were rescued. They were lucky. fatality in Regatta de Amigos

ACR Electronics, Inc. made Greg's EPIRB. They are compact units and well worth a look when you are getting ready to go 'out there'. ACR Electronics, your best 'last chance' Some of the best money I spent has been for equipment I hope I will never use. After 'Hurricane Gale', I know having the right equipment on board can be a life saver!

While no sailor wants trouble during a passage it is all part of the adventure. Sooner or later we hit rough weather, equipment fails, crew members go nuts and other problems fall upon us.

Life is kind of that way too, I think. The question is, how do we handle problems, what lessons did we learn? What can we do better and what did we do right? All of these elements are usually at play in sailing.

Greg Gladden was fortunate in the dismasting of his Benneteau First 42 Diablesse on his sailing adventure to Isla de Mujeres. Single handed sailing and heavy weather sailing have their risks! Having a portable EPIRB can save your life. While an epirb would not have saved Roger Stone on the Regatta de Amigos, including one from ACR Electronics, it sure helped in Greg's case. It would have helped Conway and the Texas A & M students when their Cape Fear, the Cynthia B, went down.

Watch for details about my trip to Veracruz with Greg and crew in an upcoming blog!

Cheers,

Uncle Tim

Port Isabel Texas Lighthouse South Padre Island view into past and present!

2010-01-21T12:21:00.000-08:00

Port Isabel Lighthouse

State Historic Site

The Port Isabel Lighthouse is a fun place to visit when in the South Padre Island area. If you are on spring break and need a break, this one would be a fun stop. Why not take your new girlfriend that you will probably never see again to the top for a few romantic memories?A break from spring break, check out the lighthouse It is a great place for the gals who come with their husbands to the Texas International Sport Fishing tournament! TIFT. Life after tift, texas international sport fishing

Navigating the South Padre waters is always a task. The inter coastal waterway is full of shifting dunes. From year to year one can never be sure where the real channel is.

The Port Isabel Navigation District is in Port Isabel, as well. Sailors departing the U.S. need a clearance letter from thier last port of call. The Navigation District will give you a clearance letter which should suffice for the Mexican officials. Stop at the navigation district for your clearance letter

When the inter coastal waterway from Galveston opens up to the Laguna Madre and the Padre Island shores it looks like you finally have open water and safe cruising. I have been stuck with a dingy and an outboard between the intercoastal waterway and 2000 yards of bay water to Padre Island. Be careful!

That is why they built the Port Isabel lighthouse. You can bet ships from yesteryear had as much trouble as modern day sailors and barge people do today. The Port Isabel Lighthouse was constructed in 1852, near sites of the Civil War Battle of Palmito Ranch in 1865 and the Mexican War Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma.

The light house system fell out of use over many years. New technology meant new towers with powerful navigation equipment. The depression kept public money out of the hands of the light house crews. Most of all, a new railroad line between Corpus Christi and Mexico made transportation by ship less economical.

Sadly, in 1905, the Light House that guided so many mariners went dark. In 1947 visionaries sought to restore the light house and preserve Texas landmarks. The site was dedicated as a state park in 1952. Today, the historic landmark has become a popular tourist attraction.

It took until the year 2000 to complete the restoration of the 72 foot structure. You can bet the delay was more for lack of funds than lack of interest. The lighthouse was returned to the appearance it had following its last major operational renovation in 1880. The restoration project involved extensive metal casting and fabrication, masonry and structural repairs, new coatings and development of the park and surrounding grounds.

The Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce occupies the old light keeper’s cottage. Perhaps it was a cottage then. It would make a fabulous home today! They have an exhibit of the lighthouse and old fort Polk that was on the site. Most important during tourist season, there are clean bathrooms.

If you love touring light houses this is the one to see. In fact it is the only one to see on the Texas coast. The rest are closed to the public. Surely, sage minds have an answer to the question, why aren’t more open?

The lighthouse is on high ground if you consider 50 feet above sea level high ground. The perch gives photographers and tourists a wonderful view of the Island, the Laguna Madre, the Padre beach and the surrounding area. It has even been used as a wedding chapel. That is for the young, access to the top is up 75 winding stairs including three short ladders. There is a small fee to enter the lighthouse but it is well worth the investment!

It is easy to pass through Port Isabel without stopping as you rush over the causeway on your way to Padre. However, if you want to experience the flavor of life in an old sea port, the city of Port Isabel should be on your list!
Check out this information on the Port Isabel lighthouse

spring break south padre island

2010-01-20T23:30:00.000-08:00

South Padre Island

Spring Break SPI

While I am in South Padre Island area trying to get my boat ready for cruising, I might as well tell you about the places and people and my adventures here. I plan to give you reports about the places I visit; this Texas paradise is no different. The idea of folding my business tent and setting off under the tent of the sails on La Vida Nueva is to see places and do things. Part of the lifestyle for me is to be an eternal tourist during my travels. Let’s explore!

One of the biggest events on South Padre Island is spring break! It never ceases to amaze me how the young generation and the old generation look at spring break pictures on South Padre and have such different reaction. The young bucks can’t wait to get here and the old cats can’t wait to leave! Sad to say, I am in the old cat category. I just hope it is not snowing in Colorado during spring break!

"The young bucks can't wait to get there and the old cat's can't wait to leave!"

South Padre spring break is one of the biggest places for breakers in the nation. Florida is too far away for many in the ‘middle states’ of Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Louisiana Arkansas and did I mention Texas? Airfare from Colorado, for example, is as little as $250 bucks Denver to nearby Brownsville Texas! That is cheap considering March in South Padre is likely to be 50 to 70 degrees. March in Colorado is likely to be 10 degrees below zero!

SPI, as South Padre is often referred to, is the ‘Two nation vacation’. If you happen to be Mexican, SPI is, well not Mexico. It is always fun to visit a foreign land during spring break and the same applies to our friends from Mexico who are avid ‘breakers’ just like the rest of us. As a result, no matter which country you are from, there is a good representation from the US and Mexico so you get a little feel for both countries this close to the border.

Most people don’t know SPI is further South than Florida. The weather is perfect most of the winter. It is not too muggy and it is a lot warmer than Colorado! Nothing in life is guaranteed, and certainly not the weather. If you have the same bad luck I do sometimes, and you find yourself ‘breaking it’ in South Padre during a cold snap, you can count on it being absolutely miserable. But then, that applies to the rest of the world. Try Skiing in Colorado during a mild winter and blazing son! Great weather is a matter of perspective.

So what do you do in SPI during spring break? Of course, there is a lot of sitting on the beach. Then there is the kegger while sitting on the beach. Then there is surfing and sitting on the beach. And of course, there are beach parties while…in the hotel, in restaurants, in parks and…sitting on the beach!

One of the biggest attractions in Padre, besides the beach, is the turtle lady.save a turtle, see the turtle lady, have a great time! They call it Sea Turtle Incorporated now. When I was a buckaroo we used to visit a little cottage not far from the ocean side of the island. There was a sweet gal who had turtles crawling around in her back yard. They were rescued by the fish and game folks and since no one wanted to take care of them, left for the turtle lady to bring back to good health. For a modest fee, you could go in and see the turtles and know you were in the house of a Good Samaritan.

The ‘turtle lady’ isn’t a small operation anymore. They moved it to the main drag on the Island with much bigger quarters. Nothing more than that has changed. These are people devoted to helping a creature that lives a lot longer than humans do, given the chance.

A pet project of the turtle people this year is the Atlantic Green. So far this has been a cold year for most Texans. They walk around in jeans and jackets while I bask in my Colorado shorts.

“Aren’t you cold?” They ask.
“No. I am from Iceland” I say with a smile.

"Unlike wacky tabacy, the sea turtle is well worth saving"

Unfortunately, for the Atlantic Green turtle, it has been a cold year indeed. This magnificent turtle is not used to sudden changes in water temperature and go into shock. They end up floating in the waves, and like so many bales of marijuana, get washed up in the surf. Unlike wacky tabacy, the sea turtle is well worth saving. There went that young versus old perspective again!

Here is what the sea turtle people say about the ‘Greens:
"When water temperatures drop quickly in the Gulf of Mexico sea turtles can become "cold stunned". This refers to their systems becoming so cold that they become hypothermic. The turtles will then float and wash ashore. With the help of volunteers these cold sea turtles are rescued and brought to our facility. Sea Turtle, Inc. staff gives the turtles steroids and slowly warm them back up. A photo section has been created for the recent stranding event.

As of 1/15/10 a total of 127 Atlantic greens have been affected by the cold waters. Of those 83 have survived and 44 are dead. We have released 70 of the surviving sea turtles."

The sea turtle people rely on donations to keep them going. In a sense, they have been taken advantage of in not receiving compensation from wildlife agencies, as protecting our world and the creatures within it is the responsibility of us all. On the other hand, I am sure they would say the burden has been well worth it! This is one place not to be missed.

O.K., the beach! And the parties! Nudity is frowned upon on most of Padre's beaches. .Put some underwear on said the gal who can't take hers off There are lots of little ones, even during spring break, and parents don't think their children should be exposed to naked bodies. However, if you go up-island to the last beach entrance you may find the bare essentials. I don't have any problem taking it off, but after gaining plenty of weight over the last two years, other peoople duck when I come by. So you won't see me in my birthday suit, especially in Colorful Colorado!

One popular party spot on SPI is Louie’s Back Yard. Tie on a Louie, party at Louie's The folks behind this popular watering hole are movers and shakers on South Padre. They know how to show you a good time! These guys have been at it a long time and have such a great reputation they are featured in tons of places, including MTV, 60 Minutes, the Travel Channel, VH1, ETV, and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. When I was a party boy they called it the Tonight show with Johnny Carson, but most of you won’t remember that!

A popular local spot you should not miss is Dirty Al’s. When I say ‘local’s spot’ this is really one of South Padre’s best kept secrets. It is located in the marina on the Island. While the building is not fancy, the food is divine! Here is one review:
“Atmosphere is not for the faint hearted. The place is a dive, bathrooms are disgraceful and open into the dining room. Tables and chairs are mis-matched. Come as you are gets pushed to the limit by some of the patrons.

The food is a different story. The New Orlean's Style Peel & Eat Shrimp are fantastic! The fried shrimp are crunchy and light and are delicious too! The food must overcome the atmosphere because the place is full during dinner, even in the off season.” trip advisor review from cup cake

I am not sure what cup cake is talking about when he makes a deal about mis-matched chairs. There are no real country clubs on Padre. The owners of this personality come from south of Mexico. The food is divine. Did I say that yet? I will let you in on one secret most people don’t know. If you eat shrimp on South Padre Island it probably came from Al’s, or Alphonso in Spanish, shrimp boat. This is the freshest caught sea food in the gulf. Most of it did not spend the night in the Gulf! They were caught this morning!

If you miss this place you have missed the flavor of SPI. The service is good and the waitresses are ‘well chosen’, if you know what I mean. They also own Daddy’s and a few other places on Padre. Do the Dirty, Dirty Al's that is!

The schlitterbahn water park-This is a great place to get away from the fools and the sand on the beach and have some real fun in the water! When they first told me about this place I was a little confused. Why put a water park next to the nation’s 7th best seashore? Ride the autobahn go to schlitterbahn

The answer is, there are two kinds of ‘bahns”. One is the autobahn, the other the Schlitterbahn. These guys know how to do a water park international style!

The Port Isabel Lighthouse in across the bridge is a romantic place. Take your new boyfriend you met on SPI who you will never see again...

And then of course, there are the girls. There will be lots of ‘em this year. SPI is going to look very attractive for students with a strapped budget. Depending upon where you are from, a few tanks of gas shared between your buds and you are in paradise! A good site to check out for spring break 2010 is here: Party Padre spring break 2010

There is so much more I want to tell you about SPI and the places to visit and see. I have a little time here before I have to return to the Mile High City, Denver, Colorado.

George Bernard Shaw says, “Youth is wasted on the young.” I am not sure. After doing this write up being young and wasted wasn’t so bad. I am just glad I moved along.

South Padre Island ship wreck, the S.S. Nicaragua, gun runner, gulf coast ship wrecks, treasure and gus?

2010-01-17T19:44:00.000-08:00

S.S. Nicaragua sinks on

South Padre Island

What was her secret

cargo?

The S.S. Nicaragua sailed from her birth place in Bergen, Norway, into the history books of South Padre Island. She is a gulf coast ship wreck with a mystery to rival that of the treasure ships sunk in the Gulf of Mexico. Her trip between Port Arthur, Texas and Tamaulipas Mexico was to be her last. The secret to her mystery cargo may depend upon which direction and to which port she was headed.

This was a lithe ship, 190 feet in length. She was launched in 1891 and was the first ship into the new harbor at Beaumont Texas. At 190 feet overall she was not a monster for her times, but no lightweight, either. She had a slim silhouette and weighed 611 tons. She was white in color.

"Many ships sent out may days"

On October 16th, 1912, a hurricane hit the Gulf of Mexico. Many ships sent out may days, many of the ships seeking help did not make it. The S.S. Nicaragua was one of them.

According to Captain Echeverria, the S.S. Nicaragua’s commander, she was due east of So. Padre Island when the storm struck. Unfortunately, a strained rudder chain broke and the ship lost steerage. She was driven aground in the part of South Padre called the “Devil’s Elbow”. The dreaded Devil's Elbow is near milepost 50 from Malaquite Beach of the North Island. The convergence of the tides at this juncture left more than one crew ship wrecked.

"Why was the ship so close to the South Padre shore?"

Some wonder why the ship was so close to the So. Padre shore in the first place. There is speculation the ship was full of guns and arms destined for Pancho Villa’s army. Others say all she carried was cotton, still a cash crop for Texas at the time. If she was on her way from Port Arthur to Tamaulipas, the gun running theory makes sense. If she was bound for Port Arthur from Tamaulipas, her gun running legend falls flat for common sense. Who would send guns for the Pancho Villa army from Tamaulipas, Mexico to Port Arthur, Texas?

After she sent out her may day, the S.S. Nicaragua was lost from the face of the earth for many days. Most thought had sunk in the Hurricane, to join the ranks of galleons and freighters claimed by the treacherous Gulf of Mexico. At the request of her Mexican owners, the U.S. Revenue Cutter “Windom” was dispatched from Galveston, Texas, in search of the Nicaragua and her crew. Lives aside, she was a sizable investment and her owners wished to determine her fate. Wikipedia.account

Unbeknownst to the rescuers, Captain Eschevarria and the crew had survived the hurricane. After 5 days, the Captain divided his crew. He and nine others took one of the ship’s life boats and steered northward. The determined mariners fought the sea for five days. They were finally found by the U.S. Coast Guard near Port Aranasas. Captain Eschevarria had left 12 crewmen, possibly with instructions to head South on foot, also looking for a Texas port and help.

"No sign of the missing crew was seen"

After being sent to search for the remains of the S.S. Nicaragua, officers on the Windham were notified Captain Eschevarria and some of his crew had been found. Lt. Carnes, in charge of the Windom, was asked to search for the rest of the survivors. Coast Guard cutter Windom However, no sign of the missing crew was seen. When the Windham returned to port it was assumed the rest of the crew had perished.

To the surprise of all, on October 29th, six of the crew members made their way to the Port Isabel life boat station after a 54 mile trek along the shores of South Padre. It had been 12 days since the S.S. Nicaragua had gone ashore.

The crew said they stayed on board waiting for the ship to wash onto the sand bars which allowed them to safely abandon ship. The first to arrive at the life boat station said four more men were following the first six down the Padre Island coast. Two others remain with the ship as they were in such bad shape they could not be moved. ss nicaraugua ship wreck gulf coast on so padre island

Above and left, Cutter Windom

A power boat was dispatched from the Port Aransas Coast Guard Station with Captain Ed White in command, and with Dr. J.A. Orr, to pick up the two injured crewmen. They found both men, a Spaniard and a Mexican and rescued them.

"All eleven men were tossed

about by rough seas"

Just a few miles out of Port Aransas the seas began to stiffen and soon all eleven men were tossed about by rough seas. The anchor was put down under Captain White’s instructions and five men took the lifeboat they were towing and went to shore to wait out the storm. Rough shelters made of driftwood were constructed to keep the men warm.

Captain White remained with his boat. He and five of his men fought drenching waves and a bouncing sea for two days and nights. The breakers were huge and made life aboard the powerboat uncomfortable. It was impossible to cook so the men went without food and suffered cold days and nights waiting for the weather to clear. When the storm broke the men on the beach re-joined Captain White and his crew and they returned to Port Aransas. The life saving journey took for days at sea.

Efforts were made to save the Nicaragua, but none was successful. She was finally abandoned and left to rest for eternity on the sand bars of South Padre Island. The following is a report by a newspaper reporter who went to the wreck site 10 years later:

“Her bow was headed northward, and from the storm-swept bridge deck you felt as though she had just plowed through the breakers, and was about to part the sea oats at high-tide mark and sail off into the shimmering mirages of the dancing and ever-shifting sand dunes.

"A rope ladder still dangled over her side…"

“Her stern sloped off into the water, as her bow rose abruptly from the sandy beach. A rope ladder still dangled over her side…The deck cleaned and weathered by 10 years of sun, was tilted; and what was left of the superstructure gave you the impression of a ship starting a climb after wallowing through the trough of a wave.

“A galley door still swung protestingly on rusty hinges as the steady Gulf breeze swept through the ruined cabins. In the main salon the molding that had trimmed the doors and adorned the ceiling had long since sprung loose from the nails and hung at grotesque angles, like long fingers pointing at you.”

For many years the ship wreck, the S.S. Nicaragua, served as a navigation point for those traveling So. Padre Island’s shores. The stern, the engine room and the masthead of the vessel was visible just beyond the surf as one made their way up and down the coast.

In 1933 the Texas Highway Department surveyed South Padre Island. When they came upon the wreck site there was little left to see of the shipwreck. They said only part of the hull had survived. Today, there is almost nothing left to mark the historic voyage of the S.S. Nicaragua, a steamer which set sail from Port Arthur to Tamaulipas Mexico, possibly with secret cargo destined for the Pancho Villa war effort aboard.

What makes a Revenue Cutter

a Revenue Cutter?

The "system of cutters," the Revenue Marine, and the Revenue Cutter Service, as it was known variously throughout the nineteenth century, referred to its vessels as cutters. The term, English in origin, refers to a specific type of sailing vessel, namely, "a small, decked ship with one mast and bowsprit, with a gaff mainsail on a boom, a square yard and topsail, and two jibs or a jib and a staysail." (Peter Kemp, editor, The Oxford Companion to Ships & the Sea; London: Oxford University Press, 1976; pp. 221-222.) By general usage, however, that term came to define any vessel of Great Britain's Royal Customs Service.

The U.S. Treasury Department adopted that term at the creation of its "system of cutters." Since that time, no matter what the vessel type, the Coast Guard and its illustrious predecessor have referred to their largest vessels as cutters. Today a cutter is any Coast Guard vessel over 65 feet in length.

What happened to the

Windom?

Considered to be the Revenue Cutter Service's "first attempt at modern ship construction," this 171-foot, 670-ton, twin screw steamer was the first cutter to be powered by a triple-expansion steam engine and have a fully watertight hull. Her top speed was 13 knots. Stern over, windom

She was built by the Iowa Iron Works of Dubuque, IA, for $98,500. She was taken, partially finished, to Cairo, IL, and then on to New Orleans, LA where she was accepted by the Treasury Department. She then sailed to Baltimore where she was "finished by the Government" and entered service in 1896.

Windom served along the mid-Atlantic coast, saw service during the Spanish-American War in the waters off Cuba, and then transferred to Galveston, TX, in 1906. She enforced neutrality laws after the start of World War I, was renamed Comanche in December, 1915, underwent a year-long refit during 1916, and then was transferred to the Navy on 6 April 1917.

She continued to patrol the waters of the Gulf of Mexico out of Key West and Galveston during the war and for the remainder of her Coast Guard service. She was decommissioned and sold to Weiss Motor Lines in Baltimore in 1930 for $4,501.

Gulf coast sail to beliz and caribbean - stopped by hurricane dolly

2010-01-15T22:42:00.000-08:00

La Vida Nueva

Sailing adventure to the caribbean

Join me in fulfillng my life time dream of sailing off into the horizon, of living the sailing lifestyle, of meeting new people, learning about new cultures, and of bringing what I can to those who may be in need, and in the process of growing.

La Vida Nueva, the new life, is the name of my boat. She is a Tayana 37, a Perry design, I didn't know when I bought her, but she is perfect for one...or two.

Pehaps that second person will be in my life...as it used be for 26 years before my other half passed to the other side. It will be fun to find out!

There is something magic in sailing, something I cannot tell you, because it is something powers far greater than I control. My Tayana 36 is a heavy boat, yet she brushes the ocean waves aside using nothing more than a sail and a jib, kept on line by keel and steered by rudder. No motor, no gas, no fumes, just this magic thing that happens when one matches sail with wind and stands aside for those great powers to go to work.

Then there is the prospect for adventure. I have had a lot of adventures in my life. Unfortunately, most of them happened in the city, in a bank, fixing a house, driving a car. Very few of them happened in nature, man with nature, and sometimes man against nature. They will now. Sailing is, at it's roots, man and nature, and one's wits, and one's foolish pride and lots of trouble at times and lots of fun. When it is all over and it is time to sell my beloved boat, I am sure I will say, but it was well woth the sacrifices.

Come along, share the adventure, if you are out there then let's become the best of friends and if you are not, then live it from the arm chair until it is your time. Please email me, tell me what yout think, be part of this wonderful adventure called life.

Life dream halted, sailboat damaged hurricane dolly, murphys law on south padre island

2010-01-15T09:30:00.000-08:00

dramatic pics, la vida nueva and murphys law meet dramatic photos my sailboat collides hurricane dolly