Return to Fiji

February 23, 2010—We are currently at Los Angeles International Airport awaiting our 9:30 p.m. flight to Fiji. It is hard to believe that four months have passed since we returned to the states.

In January we took a 4400-mile road trip from New Mexico to Tucson, Arizona; San Diego and Fresno, California; Vancouver, Seattle, Port Ludlow, Anacortes, and Bellingham, Washington; and, finally, Fort Collins, Denver, and Pueblo, Colorado. We had the pleasure of visiting friends, family, and cruising friends whom we have met on our travels. When we left West Yellowstone, it was -14 degrees--a bit chilly--but the scenery was spectacular with about three or four feet of snow on the ground and the sun shining brightly. Steve kept reminding me how warm I will be when we returned to Fiji.

We left our family and friends in Albuquerque on February 19 to spend four days with the rest of our family in San Diego, California. Riley has changed since we saw her in January—she now has her two bottom teeth! She is as precious as ever.

We plan to have the boat back in the water on Friday, February 26, and then spend some time getting the boat ready to head to Vanuatu around May 1 or earlier if the weather permits. Since it is an El Nino year, we will have to play things by ear.

I will post another blog on April 1, at which time we hope to have a better idea of how the weather looks. Until then, we hope to enjoy a little more time in beautiful Fiji.