We are happy back home on Reach after a few false starts. Our first flight was canceled before boarding due to a crew medical emergency, so we had to rebook for the next day. This time on an earlier flight, we were all boarded when we were told we had to evacuate due to a mechanical problem. We were able to get on another flight that afternoon to make our connection to Panama City - phew!
Staying at Deb's Cruiser's Casa makes life much more comfortable when arriving in the big City with all of that luggage. We found Reach in good shape with a dehumidified interior and healthy plants (thanks Lili & Michelle!) and the addition of a bird nest in the anchor. The next week was used to catch-up on medical appointments, seeing the eye doctor, skin doctor and dentist. We find the medical care excellent and much more cost effective outside of the States.
While Mark got Reach clean and fueled up, Michele finished up the laundry and re-provisioned for another stay in Kuna Yala. Yes, we decided to head back to our happy place after undergoing lightning therapy. We snuck a walk or two in the jungle as well. Among the familiar monkeys, agouti and other critters, the latest discoveries here were a moth that mimics a swallowtail butterfly and pair of courting butterflies that made surprisingly loud clacking noises as the flew by. Apparently, they were courting with a mechanism using their wings to make that sound, aptly nicknamed cracker butterflies.
Our first night back at anchor in Portobelo started with a beautiful sunset, but ended in rolly swells from the exposed west entrance. Moving on to Linton the next day to stock up on gasoline, the view from our cockpit that night included a camel grazing with Bessie the cow. Unexpected.

