It has been over a year and a half since we lost Madwenowe to a freak storm in the Sea of Cortez, San Carlos, Sonora-Mexico. The grieving process has finally run its course. I have begun looking for a new boat to replace her. I hope to have my sea legs back soon. It has been far too long to be away from the sea.

On another positive note...I am emerging from my bout with "writers block" and have a renewed desire to complete my second book. My first book Playing By The Rules available at indigitec.com covered a subject matter 180% in the opposite direction of
Life is Beautiful at 5 Knots. Never the less both subjects are a life core.

Life is Beautiful at 5 Knots when completed will be a compiled, well documented book of the voyage of Madwenowe, our 42' restored Ed Monk Sr. wooden ketch. It will take you from the original purchase, restoration, the 4,200 mile sailing cruise from San Carlos, Sonora-Mexico to El Salvador - Central America and back as well as her demise.

By no means do I claim to be a ‘know it all’ when it comes to sailing. However, with years and several thousand miles and hours of sailing under the belt, my wife Debi and I do fall into the realm of seasoned sailors, so it is our hope that Life is Beautiful at 5 Knots and the information contained therein: our personal experiences as well as those of other cruisers we met along the way, anchorages, waypoints, marinas,pictures of life styles, short video clips and a variety of suggestions, hints and tips, will help you prepare for your next cruising adventure.

The following is an unedited excerpt taken from Life is Beautiful at Five Knots entitled "Belly of The Beast". You may recall, an edited version was published in an earlier edition of Latitudes and Attitudes. I feel very privileged it was worthy of publication. Although the magazine article was much shorter in content it did describe the actual event as it unfolded. However, it was the stuff, the true essence of my wandering sailor’s mind that was left out of the article.

Through out the day I try to make a mental note of the days experience so as to record the most descriptive and accurate account possible in my ships log. As I enter the log it may have been a certain observation, event, a characteristic or mannerism of an individual, place or thing that acts as a catalyst and triggers the mind allowing me the tendency to get a little side tracked and to wonder off into some other realm just below the conscience mind. I do believe we all have a tendency to do this and I think this is a good thing. So when it happens, it gets entered into the log.

Enjoy the Read....

Ships Log: Madwenowe, April 5th, 2008
Engine Hours – 2458.0
Winds: Light S/SW 6 – 10 mph.
Destination: From Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico to Bahia Del Sol, El Salvador@ 13 18.134N / 88 53.482W. A distance of approx. 500 miles.
(Backup layover, Puerto, Madero, Mexico@ 14 32.131N / 92 23.740W )

Departing Marina Chahue at 11:20 am heading into the ‘Belly of the Beast’ the Golf of Tehuantepec was not a passage I was looking forward to. We spent 3 weeks in Huatulco talking with cruisers coming and going. After much research and chatting with sailors having made this passage you can understand my concerns. Those departing were anxious. Those who had just made the crossing whether experienced or not, were very, very, relieved to have it over with. Such was the case with Captain John aboard Voyager his 46’ Beneteau.

The reason I remember his boat's name is .. (1) I entered it into my ships log.. (2) it reminded me of an old "Star Trek" movie where a mysterious alien cloud named "V'Ger" was over powering everything in the universe and was about to destroy the planet earth. However, Captain Kirk discovered the vowels "o" "y" and "a" were missing....