Update on Creola, at anchor in Palau, Sept. 2012

Creola safely took us across the Pacific during the years of 2006 - 2009, including the Cocos Is. off Costa Rica, Galapagos, Marquesas, Tuamotous, Tahiti, Nuie, Palmerston, Fiji, W. Samoa, Kiribati Is., Marshall Is., Pohnpei, Chuuk and into Palau in June 2009.

Bill and I learned at the end of 2009 that he had melanoma and we spent the first 6 months of 2010 in San Diego while he underwent chemo.   We returned to Creola and resumed our diving and exploring of this beautiful atoll in the W. Pacific.  Bill had regained all of his strength and was doing fine.   However, in Jan., 2011, the cancer once again raised its ugly head and we returned to San Diego in Feb., 2011 for more treatment.   It was not meant to be and I lost my soulmate and best friend in May 2011.

I returned to our faithful Creola in Nov., 2011, not knowing what I was going to do, but knew that caring for her was at the top of my list.   9 months later I have come to realize that caring for this beautiful boat that so cared for us is more than I can handle.   Thus, she is currently for sale, here in Palau.  

I am looking for true bluewater sailors, ready to continue our sailing dream aboard our wonderful Creola and exploring this area of the Pacific, including Guam, the Philippines, Borneo, Malaysia, Thailand, Raja Ampat, etc., all within easy access of Palau.  I can be reached at:  creolacaptain@yahoo.com 

Below are photos of her underway, at anchor, and interior shots of her saloon, galley, nav station, master head and master cabin.   Thank you Bill and Creola for all the wonderful memories.   Linda

A Brief History- January through June, 2005

January 1 and 2 - The S/V Creola  is christened in a shared dedication by all members of the family.

January 1- Hanging out at the Best Western Hotel in Ensenada, Mexico. This happened to be the same hotel that Jennifer got stuck in the elevator in 1994. That's Linda, David, Zach, Darlene, Lisa and Jeremy enjoying a cool beverage.

Dinner at the El Morro. Nathan slept while we celebrated. Nonie and Papa stayed with the grandchildren while the "kids" explored the nightlife of Ensenada's Gringo Gulch. What goes on the Ensenada... you know how it goes.



Rumbling with Balloons

The dedication and naming of Creola is
shared by all while standing on the dock at Cruiseport Village Marina. 

Linda smashes a bottle of champagne across the anchors of Creola.

Abby gives a toast to Creola with her sparkling apple cider.

The dedicating gang gathers on deck. Back row: Jennifer, Brian, Kira, Jeremy, Lisa, Darlene and Danny. Middle Row: Bill, Linda Michelle, Nick, Shauna and David Front Row: Zachary, Abby, Kirsten, Nathan, Julia and Keegan.  

 

Heading Back To The US . The Pink Bus arrived to take our family back to the US while Linda and Bill stayed behind to prepare Creola to sail to San Diego.


                                                             






                                                           The Blessing of Creola

January 2, 2005

We name you Creola

Sailing vessel of great spirit and pride

Sailing vessel of our dreams

Sailing vessel for all to enjoy

You sail on the contributions of many

Our parents

Our children

Our teachers

Our friends

And those who designed, built

And prepared you

We give thanks to all

May you provide all with safe passage

May you be a source of nourishing and exciting meals

May you simultaneously be home and world explorer

May you be school for children and adults all

May you create lifelong memories

May you grace everyone with the spirit of adventure, peace and joy

May our children, grandchildren and friends frequent your decks

May we experience continued health and ever-growing love within your care

Creola you are a spicy kind of life

Creola you are in our soula

We love you

Bon Voyage

February 3, 2005: Creola departs Ensenada for San Diego and final fitting

On Bill's Mother's Birthday, Creola  takes the overnight sail to San Diego. She will stay in San Diego for 4 months while the Bauer Jr II dive compressor is installed and other preparations are made. We spent about one month at the Police Dock and moving about San Diego. Here we met the owners and builders of Sarabi and a lasting friendship began. This is Sarabi, underway.

Barry and Karen enjoy a laugh at the 1630 Club.

February 15, Creola gets her "permanent berth" at the Kona Kai Marina on Shelter Island. During this time, the 1630 Club is formed, thanks to two cats, Tack and Gybe from the S/V Terra Firma. "I'm gonna kick a little kitty ass." Photos to come

During our stay in San Diego, we were visited by Jill Sorenson and her family.

    

Denise and Jack joined us, as well. 










Richard and Janet came from southern California.

   

KK and Richard, from WestEd and Nick and Ed from Palm Springs visited Creola. That's Jeremy, Lisa, Bergen and Remy with the gang.

Michelle, Nick, Julia and Nathan enjoyed sunny San Diego.  

Brian, Kira, Keegan and Kirsten and Dan all paid a visit.

Remy and Bergen along with Lisa and Jeremy joined us, too. 

March 18: Creola returns to Ensenada and the Voyage Begins

June 2, 0800 hrs: Creola departs Ensenada for the Sea of Cortez  
We are escorted out of Ensenada by Bad Attitude, Gary and Jeannie aboard. Photos to come.

June 4: Arrival in Turtle Bay
June 6: Arrival Bahia Asuncion
June 7: Arrival Bahia Abreojos
June 9: Arrival Bahia Santa Maria
June 10: Arrival Bahia Magdallena
June 12: Arrival Cabo Falso

June 13: Arrival Cabo San Lucas
June 16: Arrival Frailes
June 20: Arrival Muertos
June 21: Arrival La Ventana
June 22: Arrival Tecolote
June 23: Arrival La Paz
June 24: Arrival Cardonel
June 26: Arrival Isla San Jose
June 28: Arrival Evaristo
June 29: Arrival "The Wall" with Maverick

A Brief History- July through December, 2004

August- David, Shauna, Zachary and Shauna's mother visit in San Diego at the police dock. Creola is still white.

August- San Diego:
Keegan and Shane play
Peek-A-Boo through the Galley port

Papa and baby Kirsten both take a little snooze.












Eric and Julie visit Ensenada
Hydrating to avoid the heat;

Eric and Linda with Corona

Julie and Bill with just H2O. Yes, that's a CSLA Convocation Backpack on Bill's back.

Herman and Claudine, aboard the Hylas 46, Bijou, sailed to Ensenada. While there, we sailed together and "raced" in the gentle late summer breezes.

Bijou Goes to Weather

Creola displays her gennaker. 




 September- Hylas Rendezvous, Catalina Island, California. Photos to Come

October Through December- Cruiseport Village marina, Ensenada, Mexico 


December 31- San Diego, California and Ensenada, Mexico. Are You Ready To Christen?

The Martin and Bonfilio families arrive at San Diego. Two flights, one from San Jose, the other from Sacramento arrived within minutes of each other. Julia gets a ride to the bus.



Linda and Bill were shocked when a full-sized bus picked them up in Ensenada to meet family members arriving at the San Diego Airport.
We had anticipated a large van, but that was not the case. 

You should have seen to looks we got at the border, when two people stepped from a bus to go through immigration. Oh yeah, then there was the water cooler full of maragaitas on board. 









Here we are after singing "The Wheels On The Bus Go 
'Round and 'Round."    Zachary did harmony....he's the musician in the family.

New Years Eve in Ensenada was next. Sergio had prepared lots of Mexican food, a fire was lit and we all gathered to make sure we had enough food to soak up the margaritas and Tecate. Pace ourselves...no way!