On April 20, Mike flew to Panama City, took a taxi to Shelter Bay Marina in Colon, on the Caribbean side of the canal and re-united with Finisterre. The boat has been "on the hard" for almost a year since we weren't able to return for the Winter cruising season. As a result, she was extremely dirty outside, but surprisingly free of mildew inside. Mildew is the dredded plague for cruisers who have to leave their boats closed up during the rainy season! Mike also found out that some of the electronic equipment just refused to work after all that time. He urgently asked me to get regulators for the electrical systems and is still working on the email systems to get them up and running.

So, there will be parts ready to go to the boat with Mike's crew-- Steve and John who arrive in Panama next Tuesday. Bob, who is in Florida will also join the crew in Colon. So, with his 3 buddies, Mike will attempt to leave Panama by May 1st and his route should take him to the San Blas Islands, Panama-- Providencia, Colombia--Grand Caymans--Key West, Florida, up the East Coast of Florida to an anchorage or place "on the hard" in Georgia, S. Carolina or N. Carolina. The crew should be able to fly home around June 1 and Mike will be back in Ukiah around the 15th or so.

Watch for more news on the fast delivery of Finisterre!