And so it begins...

Coming out of the plane.

On December 31st, after months of planning the day finally arrived. We almost had a “Home Alone” moment as Kathleen’s alarm didn’t go off. Fortunately, Austin’s did. Everyone was ready on time and we were in the car on the way to JFK by 5:20 am and it was an uneventful trip. For the first two nights we are staying at a hotel a few minutes’ walk from the boat.

Kathleen found it surprising to see a live Christmas pine tree in the lobby – although it was anything but green when we arrived. It was a long morning and everyone was happy to have a cold drink and some food at the restaurant next to the

pool. It was two for one happy hour so that meant two mango smoothies, two strawberry smoothies, two Caribs and two rums. After that it was back to the room for an attempted early night. Fireworks at 10 and midnight right next to the hotel made that a bit difficult but…on the first day of 2019 our family is officially in the Netherlands! Or their Island of St. Maarten. Pegasus is safe and sound in her slip at the dock waiting to be loaded with everything needed for our departure. There are still very many chores to do on Pegasus and we are tackling them one at a time, or at least Austin is and the rest of us are trying to stay out of the way! The island was unfortunately beat up by Hurricane Irma and still hasn’t recovered. The airport was just a tent with structure and during the drive to the hotel there were many stranded boats. There were also many trees with no leaves. I (Cameron) am ready to go to a different island as soon as Pegasus is ready because there is not much to do and the island is still pretty torn up. We are preparing to say goodbye to air conditioning, refrigeration, and flushing toilets and getting ready for our voyage.

Big Dad: OK good news Pegasus is in good shape after sitting at the dock here in St Maarten for the last 7 weeks. I was more than a little nervous and so far she is 95% solid. Not going to go into the list of projects, nothing major though not a short one. I spent the day checking the boat’s systems: one surprise the engine’s raw water coolant hose had a cut in it – probably partly why we had so much water in the bilge on the way down. Now important stuff: local cheese burgers and local rum. The cheese burger for dinner last night at the Green House was OK, will give it a 6.5 (scale of 10). Overall adequate. As soon as I get to sample the local rum will let everyone know. I will be seeing the local gentlemen who worked on Pegasus’s teak while she was sitting at the dock tomorrow morning – I think I will tap into his expertise. Back soon.

Fish Tacos: (Cameron). At the Green House I ordered fish tacos and to put it short, good but not a do over. To put it long, the fish was a tad overcooked and very bland, but the base of pico de gallo was fantastic. The soft shell was firm and did not fall apart although it was chewy and dry. The taco as a whole was also overfilled and impossible to close without taking some of the fish out. To wrap it up I give the Green House taco a 6/10.

Alison: So far the first two days have been the worst. We were all low on blood-sugar the first day and very cranky (the food at the Green House helped with that). I also don’t really like how hot it is working on Pegasus. And the worst of it I miss my friends. Hopefully we can go horseback riding on the beach (they take you in the water) before we leave as it looks like fun.