Returning to Kyeta in Trinidad

It's hard to believe that October is here and that we are packed and ready to return to Kyeta in Trinidad. The summer has come and gone in ways that time passes in northern Michigan in June, July and August. We always find so many things to do and people to see that we never seem to have enough time. And then departure day comes and we are off to the islands for another season.

We left Trinidad in early June arriving home with projects to complete, people to visit and places to go. We took a few days to sail with friends on their boats but it never seems to be enough. As we look longingly at the white sails skimming across Grand Traverse Bay we ponder how we could have a boat here again. We miss Kyeta, but it is always wonderful to spend time with our family and we welcomed the return of our daughter, Ashley, from Oregon. It's good to have her around and she is doing well. Weddings and babies were the family topics of the summer. The kids are growing up.

We farmed/gardened, logged trees, constructed a fort, repaired and remodeled houses, and generally kept busy. We visited with friends and felt we had never been gone. A class reunion, appointments for this and that, and launching of "Up North Foodies" (a community blog site - check it out) filled in the balance of the summer. And now it's October.

A quick trip to the Annapolis Boat Show last week helped get us back in the cruising mood. We saw people we had met our first year cruising, as well as some we had sailed with last year. It was so good to be with these folks again, it is a rare and unique community. It is bittersweet in that our paths will cross again this season with some of them but others are taking time off and others are staying way north. We won't necessarily be cruising together but we will stay in touch.

So, what does this year bring? A trip to the Orinoco River will start the season - it is close to Trinidad, part of Venezuela. We're heading north from there. Not sure how far north, but when we get to Puerto Rico we will decide for sure. Options considered are hurricane season there or someplace close by, continue to the Western Caribbean and hurricane season in the Rio Dulce, or head for the US east coast for the season. At this point we are not ready to bring Kyeta home for good. The sadness of this is that we part ways with many friends who are sailing off in different directions.

Family and friends have promised to visit this year, maybe they think it's now or never (in the Caribbean at least) but we are delighted. My sister, Margaret and a friend, Priscilla will meet us in Trinidad and sail north with us to the Grenadines. They will be the first of possibly six groups. We are so happy to share our experiences and are glad to have them aboard.

Our journey continues as will the log. We love hearing from friends and family and welcome short emails. So...this is to be continued from the Caribbean.