Our Final Post....Day 23, Home Sweet Home

Dear Family and Friends,

We've already been home for 23 days….so it's time to post for the final time on the Pacific Puddle Jump Blog.  In reflection, there are so many memories, learnings, and people during our trip that I thought the best last blog would be to summarize it with our FAVS and the statistics. 

  PPJ, April 12-August 19, 2017

The Stats:

Days Crossing 27 Total days on trip 129

Miles of Crossing 2,878 nm Best day sailed  169 nm Sailed 73 nm on slowest day

Engine Hours   10

Crossed Equator 5/2 at 10:04:20 PM Longitude at Crossing 134*45.697W Speed at Crossing 5.4 kts.

Islands Visited Marquesas:  Hiva Oa, Tahuata, Oa Pou, Nuku Hiva Tuamotus:  Tahanea Society Islands:  Tahiti

Favorites:

Island - Tahuata

Meeting friendly, helpful locals and cruisers from all over the world 

Fresh local fruits,   $.59 baguettes, Pain au chocolat (Paul),  Almond croissant (Leslie)

Sunrises, sunsets & rainbows 

Roosters…so colorful, cheerful & everywhere!

When asked if we would do it again, YES we would.  The crossing was our favorite part of the trip despite the challenges.  

Paul and I are grateful for everyone's support.  Your emails brightened our days.   With special thanks to our AUX Crew:

Susan & Dad-Provisioning, communication, resources & troubleshooting…."so can you get a helicopter to pick up Paul?…"

Geoff-Home security, Blog tech support, & always ready to help with last minute questions  in route …"so what is slack tide for …."

        Steve-Technical support, procurer of parts, BEST banana bread recipe!

We are truly blessed to have such loving family & friends.  We missed you & are happy to be home!

Love, Leslie & Paul 

Photos:. #1 Rocinante is being well cared for per photo below as supplied by Capt. Mathieu in Papeete awaiting transport home.  #2 Surprise Welcome Home Party!  #3 Us at home sweet home, day 23.

Back in the good ole USA....

Dear Family & Friends,

Just a quick note to let you know we are home. Sad to leave Rocinante behind but once we landed, got our welcome home hugs from dad in route, then a surprise welcome gathering at home, we knew what we had been missing...there's no place like home.

Below are some photos from yesterday. Dinner was provided by dad and Susan....dad's baked ham & pasta salad (& he stocked the refrigerator full of our favorites) and homegrown tomatoes flown in from Susan's garden in Bellevue, WA. A pre dinner celebration with champagne was awaiting us as we pulled into the driveway.

Somehow, once we settle in, I'll probably close this blog with some culminating thoughts (hopefully from Paul, too) and with thanks to all of you that supported us along the way. For now, I'll close and either check out mail( which Linda has been collecting daily), unpack or nap....hmmm such choices. Look forward to seeing you soon. Love, Leslie
PS Did you know that you can view pictures in the Galley section on the blog...bigger that what you see here?

Leaving Rocinante behind....

Leaving Rocinante behind...It's not easy to do....but it will be in good hands while in Papeete awaiting transport home in December.

Photos:
Pickling the water maker...part of boat prep
Paul briefing Mathieu, the captain who will check in on the boat and deliver it to Papeete to board the ship. What an interesting guy....from Cannes, ..a licensed captain who has also established a research project on the environmental changes to the atolls and marine life in the South Pacific....working with a professor from Scrips
Paul, Mathieu & Pascal who is the agent for the transport....and then there's Phillipe, (no photo) the marina manager....somehow this has gotten complicated & of course no one does this for free.

Leaving tomorrow night. for home sweet home...why is it always good to get away but even better to return home?

See you soon., Love, Leslie

Tropical Beauty Even on Tahiti...

Bonjour....Enjoyed the weekend driving along the coast ( the only road) from Tahiti Nui to Tehiti Iti ...started with pastries at a local cafe then enjoyed the drive through many village communities. This must be the source of the wonderful fruits/veggies we see at the roadside stands and Papeete Market...such beautiful green fields. We were looking for the white sand beach per our Hertz rep....but that's another story. Ended up at Tahiti Iti, the smaller of the two which is hosting the Billsbong Surf Tournament. Finals will be on tv this weekend. Taxi boats take surfers and viewers out to the reefs for the big surf. Just getting set up for & beginning first rounds.

No snorkeling for Paul but sited nice spots (near our marina) which we went to on Sunday.

We checked off final Visa verification ( another long story) & met our captain who will monitor the boat until he delivers it to the transport in December. Today is packing day and final boat prep. We are listed on an Air Tahiti flight for Friday, departing 11:24 pm and arriving in LA Saturday morning around 11:00 . The drive from LA will be a quick reminder of our return to the real world....hmmm.

While we have marveled at the day to day island/ cruising routine and amazing natural beauty, we are awaiting our comfy bed and modern conveniences....but mostly being with family and friends....who have supported us on this journey.

There will no doubt be a couple of additional blogs before we we say finis. Love, Leslie

Sunday Event for Spirit of `45!....update from Marina Taina...

Hello from Marina Taina, Tahiti!  

I'm forwarding information about this wonderful event.  Paul and I will be missing it this year but know first hand the significance of celebrating the end of WW II along with many of the greatest generation that are still with us.  Their stories and spirit are inspiring....but then you've heard that from me before.  Invite a veteran and enjoy this event on Sunday.  Put your dancing shoes on because the big band music keeps your toes tapping and there will be veterans that would love to dance.  Dad and a friend will be there.  

It's a beautiful sunny day here.  Just sitting outside waiting on laundry....and Paul is starting the prep from bow to stern.  Going to explore beaches this weekend before returning to the process.  Been hearing that it's very hot in Coronado.  Thanks to Susan, Dad, Linda, Doug, & Teri for keeping our plants alive.  And, thanks to Geoff for turning off a running toilet along with his weekly checks.    It sure took our friends & family's support to keep us afloat.  Are we ever blessed!  Love, Leslie

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 11, 2017, at 2:04 AM, Honor Flight San Diego <dave@honorflightsandiego.org> wrote:

What could be better than a celebration of the end of WWII and a mini Honor Flight San Diego reunion?  "Honoring the legacy of the men and women of America's Greatest Generation on the anniversary  of their Greatest Day" On Aug. 14, 1945, President Harry S. Truman announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, effectively ending World War II. In 2010, Congress unanimously voted for a national "Spirit of '45 Day" to preserve and honor the legacy of the men and women of the WWII generation - their example of national unity, shared sacrifice, can do attitude, and service to their community and country continues to inspire future generations of Americans. Please join us this Sunday to celebrate the end of WWII and ask our Greatest Generation, "Where were you on Aug. 14, 1945 when the war ended?"  The event will be held at The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park from 11 am to 2 pm. The formal program begins at noon. There will be more than 200 WWII veterans (some in their 1940's era uniforms), big band music, swing dancing, food and much more! The event is open to the public and free to attend. There is free parking, lots of handicap spaces and wheelchairs next to the entrance to the event. Look for the Sea Cadets when you turn on to President's Way to direct you to the drop-off location. There will be plenty of shade, restrooms and bottled water. WWII veterans will be provided a free box lunch before the noon ceremony and there is a nominal charge for all other attendees. Come to reunite with your veteran or your guardian, or to meet the team leaders and volunteers who make Honor Flight San Diego possible. If you have been on a flight, show your Honor Flight San Diego pride by wearing your veteran or guardian t-shirt and lanyard with your name tag. If you have not been on a flight, come meet the volunteers so you can get signed up to go on our next flight or go to: Honor Flight San Diego to complete an application. If you know a WWII veteran, bring them too! Directions to The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park (2115 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101): From the north - take 163 South to exit 1B (Park Blvd.). Go left at light on to Park Blvd. and right at next light on to President's Way. From the south - take I-5 North to exit 15B for "B" street. Go left on to "B" street to Park Blvd then go right on to Park Blvd. Go right at light on to President's Way. For more information, contact the museum at (619)239-2300.

Honor Flight San Diego, 9423 Keck Court, San Diego, CA 92129-3534 SafeUnsubscribe™ lesliegranger@rocketmail.com Forward this email | Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by dave@honorflightsandiego.org in collaboration with Try it free today

What a difference a day makes...

All is well...just thought I post a few photos from the last two days. Weather is the same but we are tired securely to the dock....getting our land legs back.

Day 118....Celebrating in Papeete

Dear Family and Friends,

Just a quick note to let you know we're in Papeete...arrived yesterday afternoon after our final passage of the trip. And, what a passage it was! We experienced our most challenging weather but Paul and his "trusty streed"" (Don Quixote's horse) arrived in Papeete where our journey ended....with mixed emotions indeed.

Some passage photos to follow after a walk to the laundromat and search for a boulangerie.

Love, Leslie