Here are some excerpts from my first sailmail, received Friday morning, Dec. 12. Parts are a bit confusing, but it is enough to assure any worriers in the audience (you know who you are) that Sidewinder's crew is safe and sound!  -Kris

"Had a beautiful day at the beach in Abreojos yesterday just down from where Gary has his house. The waves were amazing Thursday and yesterday but a bit scary to try to do without anyone else out. We brought the dinghy in to the beach. David put wheels on him; I read, walked, meditated and just relaxed. Fun! The afternoon breezes diminished, and it was a peaceful early evening. Then easterly winds kicked in big time, and over the course of the night bent the hell out of the bow roller for the anchor. David was bummed at himself for not preparing for that much wind. We took the engine off of Worm in much wind (a crazy endeavor) and finally got the anchor up this morning. Now we have no wind, so we are motoring, hoping the NWesterlies will kick in this afternoon for a wonderful sail. I apologize for sounding kind of exhausted in my last e-mail; there have been marvelous moments of incredible peaceful, kickass sailing that have left me breathless, and I am enjoying being free on this beautiful blue energetic ocean. We are getting our sealegs and feeling more comfortable. Obviously we are taking our time and enjoying just that."

To that message Suzi added, "David is looking forward to finding waves in Bahia Santa Maria and staying for about a week. We were unable to make a sailmail connection, so you never got this. Now we are in Bahia Santa Maria and have been for two days . . .  The wind has been pretty heavy and the landing pretty sketchy. We take off tomorrow for Puerto Magdelana for one last stop before Cabo. Let's hope this gets to you. Bye for now."