June ‘95
*Additional notes may appear in italics after my mom’s initial journal entries.
A ladybug means you should check the comments at the bottom of the page to see what Mom has chimed in on after reading these!
June 1, Thursday
John dropped the main sail off to be fixed and picked up the generator parts. Chelle and Schyler spent the morning over here with Samie and I. He was wide awake and so alert today. I even got a couple of smiles out of him. I could hold him all day!
John and I drove over to Mesa Lutheran Hospital to see my Grandpa Jones. Janice was there. Grandpa was sitting up in a wheel chair, he doesn’t look very good- so pale and thin, but he was very alert like always. He has had congestive heart failure for the last couple of years and his kidneys are only at 30%. Tomorrow he will be moved and start physical therapy. I’m so thankful I got to see him again. Andy and Janet and kids came over to visit.
June 2, Friday
We left Mom’s at 8 am for Show Low and dropped Samie off at Sam and Rane’s- first thing. A few days alone will be nice. We took our pictures to Navopache and visited there for 4 hours. The place hasn’t changed at all. We spent the evening at Barbara and Richards; Dwayne and Susan stopped by.
June 3, Saturday
I’m ready to go home- we both are! Saw Helkemeyer and Tim today. Jo, Angie and kids came over (Samie was here) and Janell and Jim. It was so good to see Janell and everyone. Shine, Paul and Sue, Mike and Myrte, also came by. It’s freezing up here!
June 4, Sunday
Up to Barb’s and Richards while John changed the oil in Muir’s truck. Stopped at Hesingers, Garsha’s and Phyllis’. I get really tired of answering the same questions over and over. The time here in the states I have realized I don’t ever want to come back to live here! Peg and Billy were here, she wanted to spend the night. I was “mean” and told her no, I’m enjoying the time with only John. We got Chinese take out and came home for a nice quiet evening.
June 5, Monday
We went back into Nav-a-patch for another couple of hours. Kent even told John that they might call if they need summer help, and will, I’m sure.
We bought some steaks for dinner, Shine ate with us at the cabin. He looks good, his house is clean and he likes his new job which he is learning to lay tile and carpet. I think it’s great. Peg went off with Billy. Bonnie and Kelly and Colleen came by.
June 6, Tuesday
I washed all the sheets and towels and left everything clean at the cabin. It was so nice to have a place to stay by ourselves and not be company. Weird though, with so much of their things being stuff they had bought from us. Just like being “home” again.
We left the mountain around 9 am and spent the afternoon at Mom’s. Chelle and Schyler were there. Drove out to Roach’s, did taxes. Spent the night here.
June 7, Wednesday
Went out for breakfast with Alice, stopped to see Brenda P., they have a nice house and like being away from NEC. We were sorry to miss seeing Steve but have run out of time. Picked up the main sail, only $50 to have it fixed.
We talked to Jacque and stopped to see Grandpa. Had a BBQ at Danielle’s.
June 8, Thursday
Mom did my perm this am before she went to work. Chelle and Schyler spent the morning with us and Danielle came by when she got off work at 2:00 pm. We left for Tucson around 3:30. Today was kinda cool so the ride was nice. Had a nice evening with John and Maryann.
June 9, Friday
John and Maryann left for the cabin and we left with Keith (their neighbor) for San Carlos at noon. He has a boat down here also. We really lucked out with rides back and forth.
Finally we’re home – everything was fine on the boat. I know we need the money but I don’t even want to live in the states for a couple of months. We have lived on the boat for 1 year now and I don’t ever want to go back!
June 10, Saturday
John hooked up the air conditioner that Keith is letting us use. The back is freezing but it does help the rest of the boat stay cool.
The cell phone we bought is not any better, we need to put the antenna up higher on the mast.
Keith came over for dinner. It’s great having Goon here- but she says it’s weird without Danielle.
June 11, Sunday
Happy 47th birthday, John!
Back to school!
Running Free came in today. Made John a cake – it’s hot below now!!
June 12, Monday
We all went into San Carlos- got insurance on the boat and took a bus into Guaymas. Did a little shopping with Goon and got pictures developed.
June 13, Tuesday
The girls walk to the beach most every day for a while.
Mom called- I knew I should have called her when we got here. First American Title also called, the deposit was made from the 2nd on the house. Mom said she took Grandpa home last Friday, he stays in bed mostly but feels better because he is home!
We went snorkeling.
*Ha, I can’t believe Mom forgot to call Grandma for 5 days to let her know we got there! It was a bigger deal then - you couldn’t just hop online and more or less deduce that your loved ones were ok!
June 14, Wednesday
We took the girls for a ride on the “Bob Ski”- the water sure is warm.
June 15, Thursday
My Grandpa Jones passed away this morning around 3:30 am in the night. Margaret had called Marie, who called Mom. I’m not sure if they got there (to the house) before he died or not. But mom said she had spent an hour with him the night before.
I knew at the hospital and so did Grandpa, that I was saying goodbye for the last time. He was 83 years ‘young’ but his health had failed after many years and numerous experiences in his long and happy life. I’m sure it’s very hard to be so alert but unable to move about freely and with ease like he always had.
Some highlights he mentioned when we saw him last were about his last hike from the North rim to South rim of the Grand Canyon when he was 75, having 2 artificial knees and an artificial hip. Quite an accomplishment!! At 71 he hiked the Himalayas in Nepal, his trip through the Panama Canal on a cruise ship.
I have a book of Grandpa’s life history, which is very interesting reading of the many hardships of one’s life, being born in 1912 and the years that followed. Also great are the accomplishments.
I will miss you, Grandpa, I truly wish you had been able to sail with us one day.
We left the marina and motor sailed out the 10 miles to San Pedro. It does feel good to move again- PEG DOES NOT AGREE. We anchored, kids swam and gathered shells. The boat was cross-ways to the swell all night so it was rocky.
*I LOVE when things are timed JUST RIGHT! So, I took a break from posting these while I was fervently typing up our second and third seasons - I seriously couldn’t stop, I was on a roll! But today I’m back here and ready to edit and add links, photos and extra details, right? My mom notes my Great Grandpa Jones passing away - I check the date out of curiosity, and lo-and-behold, it 28 years ago today! I will absolutely take this as a little wave hello from my great grandpa, who was a most incredible and inspiring man who left a deep mark of love on those around him. I was only 7 when I last saw him, and quite confused (and maybe a little scared) of his old age - I had no comprehension of death and didn’t understand the energy of being on that cusp. How cool it would be now, to ask him questions or be able to visit with him as the adult I am today! I related so much to my mother, reading this, the basking in the reflections of our grandfather’s legacies and appreciating all that they brought to our world. ❤ After my own grandpa passed away in 2017, I ended up getting really deep into his stories and our family history and have had the best time learning all these things I never knew which really blew open a whole new world for me - like finding out that not only has my family been part of my same community in Arizona for 145 years, but that my fourth great grandfather was actually one of the four founders! 🤯 I’m really proud of my family lineage (both sides) and all the amazing, inspiring things they accomplished in their lives. I am proud to share their genealogy.
June 16, Friday
We didn’t find out until today about Grandpa. Brent got us on the Chabasco net. Mom said she tried to call several times with no luck. We came back into the marina after anchoring outside the break-water while John cleaned the boat bottom. I finally talked to Mom.
On our sail back in- I know that Grandpa was with us enjoying the breeze as we splashed through the beautiful sea. I left very close to him and I know that he is now with Grandma and no longer in any pain.
*Again, I resonate with my mom here, feeling the presence of our grandpas after their passing. 🥰
I was able to find the cloud photos Mom mentioned in the comments.🐞
June 17, Saturday
I’m glad we did come in yesterday- it’s pretty breezy. A couple boats were headed out and came back in- I guess it’s 20-25 knots out there. NO THANKS!
The hurricane ‘Adolph’ is at 15° 8N and 106° 8W moving NNW at 6 mph. Currently blowing between 80 and 103 mph.
June 18, Sunday
Happy Father’s Day
Just another day, still pretty breezy.
Talked to Chelle and Danielle.
June 19, Monday
Around 10:30 we headed out of the marina for Martini Cove, which is just around the corner from San Carlos main anchorage. We had to anchor 3 times before we got it right. Far enough away from the rocks and the other boat in this all too small cove. John and the girls went snorkeling. I let Goon call Billy, now she wants to go home- poop!
June 20, Tuesday
John and the girls went around the corner to San Carlos Marina to use the pool. I stayed on the boat- party pooper that I am! They went snorkeling when they got back. Samie got stung by a jellyfish on the face by her mouth and Peg got one on her arm. I heard the screams, John said he was underwater and heard it. Samie panicked and they had a hard time getting her back to the boat. They held cloths on it, but it still burned for about an hour. Samie says she’s never swimming in the ocean again! We’ll see. We all dinghied into town for dinner.
Back aboard, Goon and I had another nice long talk, I’m sure enjoying having her here- except the consistent bickering that her and Sam do!
*Ahh, yes, the infamous jellyfish event! Personally, I don’t even remember ever seeing the thing, which is wild - but also makes sense, as it was apparently on my face! I remember swimming alongside my sister and her getting a confused look on her face before realizing what she was seeing. I don’t remember when the pain kicked in, but I panicked either at it or at the idea of a jellyfish on my face and I started screaming bloody murder. Dad was snorkeling along the bottom, heard, and, as I remember hearing it, thought there might be a shark in the water. Meanwhile, Peg was panicking in her oversized tank-top, worried the jellyfish would get stuck between her and the shirt and sting her all over. I guess we got the jelly off or it floated away and they scuttled me into the dinghy. I sort of remember getting back to the boat and Mom applying vinegar to my face for the sting. It was totally fine by the time we got home from dinner. I always remember the story being that it was a Portuguese Man-of-War, the ones with the wind sack, but those are supposed to be real bad and this seemed to have turned out pretty mild, so who knows. 🤷♀️*As I just added the link for the Man of War, I learned that they are actually not jellyfish, but a siphonophore, which is closely related. Also, while their venom will pack a punch for smaller sea life, it looks like they are rarely deadly to humans. So I probably got a “light dose” as it was floating by. I still don’t get how I didn’t see it! — Also, lol to the “consistent bickering.” 🙃🐞
June 21, Wednesday
John dinghied in to get ice, then we headed back into Marina Real. It is 10° hotter in the marina than in Martini Cove.
June 22, Thursday
John got a ride to the airport to pick up the Roach’s. Peg and Sam slept in the cockpit, Mandy and John slept on the dodger- what a crew.
June 23, Friday
We headed out for San Pedro and anchored for the night. Bought some lobster and red snapper for dinner.
June 24, Saturday
Today was Grandpa’s funeral.
We weighed anchor and sailed around to Martini Cove and saw 2 blue whales on the way. Everyone, but me, went in to San Carlos- the kiddos went for a swim. Snorkeling was the Roach’s afternoon adventure. When the sun went down the wind shifted to a land breeze that felt as if it was being blown from a furnace- hot! It never cooled off until early morning.
I have slept in the cockpit the last two nights- it’s so hot.
*Sadly, I do not remember seeing blue whales! I remember speculating a time or two, but I don’t remember being overcome by size, which I feel would be an appropriate sensation to experience in the sight of the largest mammal on earth… lol. Albeit, it’s hard to tell just how massive whales are when you’re alongside them and they’re sort of “hiding” under the surface. 🐞
June 25, Sunday
The wind picked up and was bringing in a good swell, bouncing the boat so we motored around into San Carlos and tied to a mooring for the afternoon. Girls went swimming and adults and “little” John all rode the bus into Guaymas- had some lunch, walked around in Ley’s and headed back to the bus- too damn HOT!!
We sailed back to Marina Real.
*It’s funny, I remember so much of the first year in detail, but pretty much this entire trip seems to have been lifted from my memory. I don’t remember my sister being with us for a whole month, I barely remember having so many people on the boat at once, and I don’t remember the plan ever not being to go back north for the summers. Lol It’s a good reminder for me that my memory may not be the most accurate source of information!
June 26, Monday
Happy B-day Andy
We got a ride to the airport, bought Peg a ticket. A one-way ‘walk on’ was $119!! Compared to round trip advance $139! I should have made her stay here!
She called from Grandma’s around 5:30 - safe and sound, she’s riding home with Jo in the morning. Warren is doing fine after his surgery last Wednesday (21st) to loosen the tendons in his legs. He is in 2 full length leg casts.
June 27, Tuesday
We borrowed Harry’s van and went in to do laundry. John called Navopache and found out that Chuck M. had a heart attack walking home from lunch, they did revive him but broke a few ribs in doing so. So far he’s ok and in Show Low Hospital.
Kent did offer John a job for the summer. So now it’s work, work to be ready to leave the boat on Sunday.
June 28, Wednesday
John painted the brown on the cap rail. We took down all the sails. Had a swim to cool off. Samie stayed with Stephanie from another boat (?) while we went to dinner with Don and Sherry on Luna and Arnie and Jean on Maiden Voyage. Real nice steak house in Guaymas.
June 29, Thursday
I put tin foil on all the windows and the temperature was immediately cooler inside the boat. But not cool enough!
Stacking- storing- scrubbing! Took a break and went for a swim.
June 30, Friday
Happy B-day Bonnie
Another CALIENTE day! 95° and high humidity.
The boat is almost ready to leave, although we really don’t want to. We’re both getting real melancholy.
Leaving the house wasn’t as hard as leaving the boat! It’s home now and I don’t want to leave!!
We heard they had an earthquake on Isla Ceralvo by La Paz- 6.6 or something and it was felt in La Paz.
