Upcoming road trip

I get off the boat in nine (9) days, and start a little rode trip in the RV the same day. Current plane is for Kay Julia to meet me in Houston April 1st and head out west. Really can not say how long this trip will last but I do have five weeks off. We will be stopping along the way, however the first layover to visit friends will be in Green Vally AZ. Spend a day or two with old friends from the area, then it is off to Phoenix AZ to see more friends and family. Not sure how long of a stay this will be could last as long as four or five days, maybe... Then we are headed to Colorado for some fun. Want to take the Cog Railroad up Pikes Peak, go to a live show, eat at the Buckhorn, walk the dog in the woods, kick back and enjoy life. Take lots and lots of photos along the way... So that is my plan.... now to see what really happens....

Boat Boat Boat

Now been back on the good ship Snapper for 11 days, still have 17 to go.. Counting???? YES!!!!!!

Been an easy trip in many ways, and yet a pain in the you know what at the same time. Gear has given us very little problems, but paper work and online courses being added to our learning system has gone crazy... I have all of 17 days to complete 24 online classes for to meet my goals. (set by someone else )... Sometimes I think this happens to see if I will give up and walk away.. Someday I will... Just do not know when, but it will be on my terms not someone elses....

Hoping to take an RV road trip during the next break... Were??? Depends on what road we take..

Strange Break

Break is over and it has been a strange one. Started off with getting off the boat in bad weather, we did not know for sure we were going to get off until the helichopper landed on the deck. Landing could have been called off at anytime so when it did land it was a relief. Once on land it was now off to the airport to see if the plane would leave on time or how low a delay it would be, had to go from New Orleans to Houston, then Dallas. Over all things worked out okay, made it to Dallas only two hours late, picked up a car ( rental ) and found a hotel for the night. Ended up staying in Dallas area until the 10th. Was able to get my sisters Meds on the afternoon of the 9th just in time to head back to Mexico and what I thought at the time would be some rest.

Made it to the Mireda airport late on the 10th and was picked up by Kay. That was when I found out Kay wanted to head back to Texas the following Monday, the 15th. Now had to pack up the car, dispose of the furniture, clean the house in four days.

Trip back was done in the rain so no good photos of the way out, same as when we drove down only two months before. On the bright side we did stay at a hotel called Marty's Hotel just north of Veracruz. Great food, nice people and best of all the dogs were welcome.

Took four days three night to drive out of Mexico , then another three day drive to get back home. One day was spent in Houston looking at an RV that we ended up buying, to be picked up later.

Once home we found the water pipes busted and in worse shape then we first thought. To make a long story short, we could not fix it ourselves so called for help Saturday the 27th of Feb. Plumber came out on March the 2ed of March. In between working on the pipes we went back to Houston and picked up the RV, another two day on the road.

So now it is the 2ed of March, I get on a plane tomorrow the 3ed to go to New Orleans and will be back on the boat Thursday the 4th... Been a very strange break and I feel just as exhausted now as when I first got off the boat. This is going to be an extremely difficult four weeks on the boat... I have a new boss, weather out they is bad, and I start of less then rested.

Strange break...

Back in Mexico

Been an interesting week, first just getting off the boat was an adventure all its own. Seas were coming up so we did not know if the chopper could land or not, then it was a wild ride back to land staying low and close to the water so the pilots could see. Once on land it was easy getting to the Airport, but not a sure thing what time the flights would take off. As luck had it I was lucky at both New Orleans and Houston, flight took off close to on time and I arrived in Dallas at 5pm. Only been going since 10pm the night before so was starting to drag. Now time to find the car rental and a hotel for the night. Once outside Dallas ( 2.5 hours later ) traffic I found a hotel and called it a day. Skipped dinner, took a shower and crashed at 9pm for the night.

For the next few days I stayed at our house in Wills Point, only problem was a broken water pipe that meant the water was shut off.. Oh, Joy... Now the main reason for coming back was to get meds that Kay needs to take and can not find in Merida... It took from Friday the 5th until Tuesday the 9th to get all the correct meds, can not do this often... Cost too mush to reschedule airline tickets and rent a car for a week...

Made it back to Merida the 10th of Feb. 2010... Since then Kay and I have spoken and we will go back to Texas and regroup. Need to find a place that is close enough to the border to allow us to drive out when meds are needed.. Looking at places between 600 and 800 miles form the border... So that is were we are today, packing and getting ready to hit the road again...

One more week on the Boat

This is Thursday, Jan. 28th, 2010. I have one week remaining until crew change. Went outside this morning and had to take a few pictures of the sunrise. When I see a sight like this I wonder why I want off the boat so bad. Then I recall that this is winter and the next 14 to 17 foot storm is just around the corner. Fact is we are expecting one this coming weekend, I am just hoping it will not be real bad and that it will come down in time to go home on the 4th.

When I get off I plan to go to Dallas/Wills Point Texas for a few days, have to check on things and pick up the odd item or two. Then it is back to Mexico on the evening of the 7th.. In a strange sort of way I do miss Mexico, looking forward to walking on the beach with Kay and the dogs, and being able to sit, stand, sleep, or eat when I want to and not when it is scheduled. LOL..

Enjoy the Sunrise.

Riding the wave in the Gulf of Mexico

Been on the boat for two plus weeks now so thought I would do an update on all the fun of work.
Have a new supply boat that bent the crap out of our side rail when it tried to come along side the first time. That run was called off because of bad weather,, second try the next day went much better and we got some much needed food and replacement parts.

Next few days were spent sorting out and taking inventory on all supplies, in between working on any gear that went down. Once that was all done it was time to secure everything for bad sea's.

That brings us to today, currently riding waves from 14 to 18 foot and just trying not to fall on my face when I walk. Nothing can be done as far as work goes except to monitor what is going on so we know what to fix when it is all over in 48 hours...

Hoping to load a few photos of the Back deck area that I work in, it shows the type of Sea's we are having.

50% trip completed Sunday morning...

Thoughts along the way

Just for the heck of it, and I am bored, I decided to write down some thoughts along the way back to the boat. Sunday was the first time I used the Merida airport and I did not know what to expect. As things turned out it went very smooth, seems like everyone I came across knew better English then I do Spanish. Each time I started to ask a question or answer one, we ended up speaking English. Even knowing it was the best/fastest way to go, it would have been nice to try to see how far I could have gotten with my bad, really bad, no make that really,really, really bad Spanish. I did my normal thing when going through security, took off shoes, pulled out plastic bag with toothpaste, and other small containers of liquid, took off sweater, took notebook out of bag, ETC...... Once on other side I watched others go through not doing any of this... Some even smiled at me as I was putting myself back together.. I soon found out why, when you get to the gate area you have all bags inspected and you are wand down, before allowed to enter the waiting area at the gate.

The flight itself was smooth and boring just the way I like them. Once in Houston I rented a car and was off to find my hotel. Talk about drivers shock, after being in Mexico traffic I felt like I was on the moon. People stop for red lights and do not take off five seconds before it turns green. A turn signal means that car is more then likely going to turn. Not one car stopped in the middle of the street using four ways to let out of pick up a passenger, busses did not cut me off not even once. Strangest part.... I missed the Mexican traffic... LOL....

After finding the hotel and checking out the room I went and found a place to eat, Not sushi but it was good. Sitting in the room that night I found I missed my room in Merida, why I asked. It has no heat, I have problems sleeping because of street noise, and I would like a bed instead of the hammock. Well the reason is simple, it is not the place you are at , but the people you are with that matter. Next time back I have to remember this.....

Monday was a simple day of shopping to get items I will need on the boat that I could not find in Mexico. I was also able to find my Sushi restaurant and had some very good Sushi, and California rolls, along with some new rolls called dirty dogs. It was all great, but the lack of company was not... Good food is always better when you share it with someone. Rest of the day was spent watching television, and eating take out Sushi.

Tuesday I drove to one of out old stomping ground places from when we leaved in the area. I wanted to check on some of the people that we used to see whenever we went they and see how everyone was doing. Could have saved myself the drive, not one person I knew was around, hung around for a little then decided it was time to go. It had started to rain and I needed to turn in the car before going to the airport to catch my flight.

Turned in the car, no problem. Now waiting for the flight to start boarding... Yes all security crap that I did in Mexico still has to be done in the states...

Turns out we changed gates three times before boarding the plan at 5:50pm, scheduled departure was 5:55pm, took off at 6:45pm landed in New Orleans at 7:40pm.

Made it to the crew hotel for 8pm, found out I will be on the 05:30 am wake up list for departure in the morning to the boat.. Best eat and get some sleep tomorrow is going to be a long day..

Wake-up call at o530, out of room and on the way to the boat. Count down to my return to Mexico begins... LOL...

Last Day last day trip

Last night we went to the Xmas dinner at Buddy's, just to try and meet people. Luck was on our side this time. We were seated next to a lady that was able to tell us about an area we had not yet looked at.

I do not have the time to go into details ( packing for the boat tonight ) but here are some photos, took over 200 about 80 made the cut, so this is just s peak.. Kay will do more research in and about the area, but I think we may have found what we have been looking for.

Just to top things off, found a small restaurant that seared a great fish cake and shrimp lunch.

Sorry about not going into detail but lets just say I have high hopes for finding a home in the Yucatan once again.

Getting ready to return to the boat

Time has come, it is now time to start getting things lined up to go back to work. Will be leaving Merida on the 27th of Dec. flying into Houston. Will stay in Houston until the 29th when I go to New Orleans to meet up with the rest of my crew, then on the 30th we all go back onto the Geco Snapper for five weeks.

Still have to sort out what I will take with me and pack, can only carry 15lbs of gear due to helicopter weight limits. We take one from the port to the boat, boat does not come to port for crew change unless planed or a problem.

Have to go to Houston first so I have time to get things I need for the boat that I have not been able to find down here. Like allergy pills so I can breath during the day and sleep at night. Will also take the time to go to a "good" Sushi restaurant that I know. Can not believe all Sushi down here has cream cheese in it, I just happen to be allergic to all milk products so it drives me nuts.

When I get off in Feb, we are thinking of driving up to San Miguel de A. and checking it out again, it seems better to me after Merida then it did before. Good food is a big factor to me, and it is not to be had here unless you know someone from here that will cook for you. That is not likely to happen so time to move on and see what can be found.

So I will be here for Christmas but not for the first... So Happy Holidays to all...

Three weeks

Not sure what this post is going to turn into, just feel like doing a self check on how I currently feel about being in the Yucatan ( Mexico ).

First the pros..

• The weather is okay, not great ( rain, and clouds )
• Walking the dogs on the beach ( sometimes )
• People are friendly
• Super Wal Mart is in area (21/12/09)
• Started to understand how streets work in Merida (21/12/09)
• Lots information to be found on area sites and blogs (21/12/09)
• Great Vet. for the dogs, "IF" we do leave will miss her. (24/12/09)
• Mega Food Store just off Cup. my type of store, has background music, NO loud intercom like Wall World, Plenty of room to move around in, always cash reg open, no headache when I leave. (24/12/09)

Next the cons.

• Very few photo oops.... unless I make them
• Tourist places like Chicken Itsa to crowded and not allowed close to anything
• Unable to take dogs places overnight due to lack of hotels that allow them
• I can not go places overnight because I will not leave the dogs
• Food sucks...... Have had a maximum of five good meals in over three weeks
• Can not find any of the foods I like in any of the markets
• Do not understand enough Spanish to communicate, ( my fault )
• No place to go for a walk alone were I live, because of my lack of Spanish
• Super Wal Mart is in area (21/12/09)
• Misinformation to be found on area sites and blogs (21/12/09)

This will be ongoing for next few days.... so that I allow time to change mood, first edit done after a truly shitty day...

Drive to Del Carmen, not allowed to stay at a hotel that was booked, drove back to Merida, Electric out, door to my room closed and locked, key to room did not work, kicked in f^%$#@ door, internet not working once power back. Found problem with internet next day, BAD ^%^%^%&^ modem from cable company, replaced with my modem, internet now back up..... Notice none of this items are on the pro or con list....