From the Helm – Saturday, December 26, 2009

10 AM – The crew are slowly making there way aboard this morning.  We’ve about got the hot water straightened out.  My coffee was delivered at 6 and just a few minutes ago – all is well.

- The team should be on their way to Atlanta by now.  Maybe the weather back home will break enough not to slow their flights down.  We’ll see…

I’m looking forward to the rest of the day.  Still a few little things to do here and there.  Should have our sat-system up and tested, soon.  We are really going to try and be up on location among the Wai-Wai’s.  Hope it works.  If it doesn’t, no great loss.

- Our dispatcher was just here to review the Beatriz and make sure we are legal for departure in the morning.  Just a precautionary review, making sure our documentation “ducks” are in a row.  As usual, all is more than satisfactory.

7 PM –All seems to be in order.  I spoke with Brent earlier.  They are on their way to the airport in Memphis.  Van and Greg are the only “question marks” at this point.  Evidently, there’s lots of snow in Iowa…

Spoke with Mom and Dad as well.  19 degrees back home!!  My, my, my, what a difference a few thousand miles makes in the weather.  Here, its 90 degrees and 90 percent humidity, sun is shinning.  Wouldn’t even have to drink water if I had gills to process the air.

- The crew is all aboard.  Good to see each one.  Dinner was good, as usual.  Tomorrow, though, it will start looking prettier.  When the team arrives, the chef does it up more than right!

9 PM – Although the moon is but a half, it’s a beautiful half, indeed…

We’re at anchor on the Taruma River.  We arrived here a couple hours ago.  It’s peaceful and comfortable.  I think it’s time for a shower and bed.  4 o’clock will be here soon.

The sat system is up and running perfectly, as everything else seems to be. 

Lord, You’ve taken special care of us these days.  I thank You for each detail.  I thank You for each provision.  I thank You for the rest You have in store for me tonight.  Thank You for family and friends.  Thank You for it all…