Monthly-the third Wednesday Location: |
Allen and Karen Rauth Aboard the "Sylvia K"
The latest Letter - received February 10, 2008 –
Just
a brief update of our adventures. We spent six weeks in Colon,
Panama, doing a little sightseeing, making a transit through
the canal, and provisioning the boat. Colon isn't the nicest
place to be. You can't leave the marina except by taxi -- no
walking around. Panama City is different, very nice and
friendly. We would take the express bus from Colon to Panama
City for $2.50 to do a lot of our shopping. The trip would
take about 2 hours one way but the scenery is fantastic. Two
weeks ago tomorrow we left the PCYC and we are anchored in the
Rio Chagres. It is only about six miles from the yacht club
but it is so peaceful and quiet. All we hear are the howler
monkeys and birds. The river is about 500' wide and on both
sides is the rain forest with all kinds of wild life --
monkeys, caimans, tucans, parrots, and many other kinds of
birds. There are 6 or 8 boats anchored in here and we can't
see any of them. There is a dam at the end that creates lake
Gatun that supplies the water for the Panama Canal, the locks
and the town of Colon. We will stay here another couple of
weeks until we receive some parts and our mail from the States
and than go back to the San Blas Island for 3 or 4 months.
Then back to Colon the first of June to prepare the boat to be
hauled and stored while we come home for about 10
weeks.
All
the best, Karen and Allen
Received October 5, 2007 – We
finally made the run from Aruba to Cartagena, Colombia.
It was a fantastic trip, perfect trawler weather. We
made four stops along the Colombian coast and each one was
great. From Cabo de la Vela on the NE tip of Colombia we
went to Five Bays, probably one of the only places you can be
cruising on the Caribbean and see snow topped mountains --
really cool. Just a short hop around to Rodadero set us
up for an 0400 departure so we reached the mouth of the Rio
Magdalena with good light and light winds. Since we only
had 10-12 knot winds (usually less than 10) the winds weren't
a problem. Neither was going by the Magdalena.
We
spent night before last at Punta Hermosa. Everyplace we
stopped the fishermen that came by greeted us with waves and
big smiles. Arrived in Cartagena last night and went to
Club Pesca rather than anchor (water isn't exactly
clean). Will be here for ??? who knows. In
front of Sylvia K is the wall around the old town and just off
our starboard bow is San Felipe Fort. Talk about
history. Just thought we'd let you know where we
are. |
