2-5-10 Departing Balboa, Panama...

We're Galapagos bound tomorrow morning. It's been a long struggle, as we've completely rewired the 12 volt system, designed and installed a customized bracket which supports the reefer compressor as well as the alternator, installed the new Balmar 94-165 alternator, along with the Balmar 612 regulator and Duocharge, custom fabricated new common ground and positive terminals, completely disassembled and rebuilt the Maxwell 3500 windlass, had the bottom cleaned, and completed a bunch of smaller projects as well. We've managed to go to most of the Wed. morning Dim Sam Chinese food breakfasts, as well as the Mon. afternoon book swaps. We've tracked down resources in the most unlikely of places, and have seen parts of Panama City that are definitely off the beaten track. The people we've met at the Balboa Yacht Club have been wonderful, and the launcha drivers have treated us like family. We recently met Eric Forsyth of the Westsail 42 yacht Fiona, and enjoyed chatting with him before he departed on his fourth transit of the Panama Canal. So, we're a bit anxious before departure, but feel that we've been blessed to have had such a wonderful time in Panama. It will take a while to get back in the groove, but we're looking forward to continuing our voyage and will continue to post updates and positions to our blog while underway.