300 days and 7,000 miles later, we backed into the slip at Fish Hook Marina in Golfito, Costa Rica.
Last year, my goal was Mexico, I’m a few weeks and miles short of that goal, but all in all, I’m happy.
Well, maybe ecstatic.
My euphoria has been enhanced by the Pacific. Why have you folks kept it such a secret?
Since arriving in the Pacific, our 5 days of cruising has required the use of the paravane stabilizers NOT ONCE.
Now, to put that in context, since leaving Ireland on July 1st, 9 months ago, we’ve probably spent about 180 of those days underway, we needed the paravane stabilizers on all but 5 days. So, in our first 5 days of cruising in the Pacific, we have already matched our 2016 total for flat or small seas.
I’m looking forward to the coming year.
Now, I’m flying to NYC.
When I get back at the end of April, I’ll be ready to begin phase II.
At this point, it’s getting up the west coast.
How long that takes is anybody’s guess, but I don’t have the same time pressure that has driven me the last two years.
I may even have time to wake up and smell the coffee.
I’m an eclectic person, who grew up in New York, lived overseas for many years and have a boat, Dauntless, a 42 foot Kadey Krogen trawler yacht. Dauntless enables me to not only live in many different parts of the world, but to do it in a way that is interesting, affordable, with the added spice of a challenge.
Dauntless also allows me to be in touch with nature. As the boat glides through the ocean, you have a sense of being part of a living organism. When dolphins come to frolic, they stay longer if you are out there talking to them, watching them. Birds come by, sometimes looking for a handout; sometimes grateful to find a respite from their long journey.
I grew up on the New York waterfront, in the West Village, when everything west of Hudson St. was related to shipping and cargo from around the world. For a kid, it was an exciting place of warehouses, trucks, and working boats of all kinds: tugs and the barges and ships, cargo and passenger, they were pushing around.
My father was an electrical engineer, my mother an intellectual, I fell in between.
I have always been attracted to Earth’s natural processes, the physical sciences. I was in 8th grade when I decided to be a Meteorologist.
After my career in meteorology, my natural interest in earth sciences: geology, astronomy, geography, earth history, made it a natural for me to become a science teacher in New York City, when I moved back to the Big Apple. Teaching led to becoming a high school principal to have the power to truly help kids learn and to be successful not only in school but in life.
Dauntless is in western Europe now. In May and June, I will be wrapping up the last two years in northern Europe, heading south to spend the rest of the year in Spain & Portugal.
Long term, I’m planning on returning to North American in the fall of 2017 and from there continuing to head west until we’re in Northeast Asia, Japan and South Korea, where we will settle for a bit.
But now, my future lies not in NY or even Europe, but back to the water, where at night, when the winds die down, there is no noise, only the silence of the universe. I feel like I am at home, finally.
View all posts by Richard on Dauntless
6 thoughts on “Dauntless Arrives in Costa Rica”
a rolling stone gathers no moss. Congrats on your canal crossing!
I’m thoroughly enjoying living vicariously through your blog! Look forward to meeting you for a tour of the SF Bay/CA Delta. Save some fuel…only 1000 miles of waterways to explore! (I know of some cheap red diesel locally, just in case.)
You’re looking good, Ric….Pacific does seem to agree with you! The journey continues to amaze and impress (me, at least!) and am happy to be able to follow along, thanks to your blog photos and missives. Happy travels from and to Dauntless!
a rolling stone gathers no moss. Congrats on your canal crossing!
Welcome back to the Americas! An awesome feat. You sir are an inspiration to others including myself.
I’m thoroughly enjoying living vicariously through your blog! Look forward to meeting you for a tour of the SF Bay/CA Delta. Save some fuel…only 1000 miles of waterways to explore! (I know of some cheap red diesel locally, just in case.)
I like red diesel almost as much as water; maybe more. 🙂
You’re looking good, Ric….Pacific does seem to agree with you! The journey continues to amaze and impress (me, at least!) and am happy to be able to follow along, thanks to your blog photos and missives. Happy travels from and to Dauntless!
Very envious. Truely Inspirational!!😎