And. books are selling! My trip to Point Reyes was wonderful. My fears that they did not like the book were unfounded. I was thrilled to discover that it was simply a distribution glitch. In a few short hours, I sold over 100 books and feel great that one of my favorite HarborTown Histories is on its way to selling well again - Whew!

I have also discovered that, though it is hard and emotionally taxing, I am the one who should be calling retail outlets to see if they need more copies. I find it difficult, so different than selling someone else's products, but , so far it is working! By calling retailers for Point Reyes, Denver, and San Diego, I have sold over 200 additional copies this month - definitely something that will motivate me to make the calls to restock in June! Internet sales are also much better. I can't figure out what has changed, but books are definitely selling better via this website - Yes!!

And, Victoria is still on my mind. As soon as I get myself settled back into Salt Spring and do the yard work that is begging to be done, I will get moving. I love the research I have been dong so far and find Victoria a fascinating city. So, high on my agenda is to dive back into reserach and get the next HarborTown History (this time HarbourTown History) published this year. I can't wait to get back to writing again!!

Onward. . . Gayle

Whenever anybody asks me how the 1200-mile sail north from Zihuatenejo to San Carlos was, it is often hard for me to even remember it, so emeshed was I in grief over Bryce's death. Somewhat like the, "And, Mrs. Lincholn, other than that, how was the play" my first memory of the voyage seems to be one of sadness and grief.

But, we did have a voyage and lots of pictures to mark the beauty of these special waters. Continually outsmarted by the Wind God, it seemed that so much of the time we had winds on our nose and lots of chop. Even with a much-wished-for southerly, it was directly on our beam!

Despite lots of chop and some pretty high nose winds, we still had a good safe voyage. Our most memorable "adventure" was getting caught in fishing lines in the middle of the night in rough seas. Caught by strong polypropolene lines, I was sure the nearby (unlighted) panga would come to our aid. I called"Hola" repeatedly, to no avail. They lurked nearby as we cut their lines, but, to my surprise, gave no aid.

We were able to cut the first line with our hacksaw, but that did no good. The second line emprisioning us broke the boat hook as we tried to get it out of the water to cut ourselves fress. Finally, Howard launched the dinghy in rough waters, suited-up in his life jacket, and went after the line. After struggling to get it and finally catching it with the dinghy anchor, he was able to hacksaw it and get us loose. Though our speed to Mazatlan was not good, (lots of net still caught on the propellor) we were able to avoid two more unmarked nets and make it to Mazatlan - Yes!

In addition to the adventures, we had wonderful lazy days at our favorite spots on Baja - Aqua Verde and San Juanico, especially - saw lots of turtles, dophins, amazing falling stars, and some great whale sightings. So, despite the sadness, it was a good journey. If you want to see pictures of our travels, check out our newest Gallery pictures.

Now home, back in Salt Spring, our next big adventure is building our home. There should be plenty of picture opportunities there, don't you think?? Soon. . . .

Cheers. . . Gayle

This spring, early in our 1200-mile voyage back to San Carlos, I began an emotional journey no parent should have to take. In an isolated cove on the Baja, we learned that Byce, our 33-year old son, had died. Kendra, our daughter had just joined us, and a voyage anticipated as one of joyous exploration became one of grief.

What would I have done if Kendra had not been with me during this terrible time???

Slowly, through the wonders of Sailmail, we learned some details. He was found in downtown Denver, dead of alcohol poisoning. We take comfort in knowing that it is likely that he went into a coma and died quickly, without knowing anything or feeling pain. As a suspected Fetal Alcohol Syndorme child (adopted by us at 5 weeks) we had worried about his drinking, but were still all shocked.

As Howard and I continued our sailing journey north, I cried a lot. But, as the weeks passed, despite a heavy saddness, the story of a fine young man we had hardly known emerged. Through the wonders of Sailmail, we learned that over 30 had come to his memorial, all speaking of their saddness and of his kindness, honesty, compassion - and corny jokes! We learned that he was the one who was called to help those in pain - for he would always calm those in trouble. He authored articles in the Denver Voice, spoke - a passionalte homeless advocate - in front of city councils, and got many off the streets and into apartments.

When the whole family gathered in Denver in mid-April to celebrate Bryce's life, we had an amazing time, meeting his friends and visiting the parts of Denver he so loved. We cried with his friend, Gilbert, who simply could not believe he was dead. We talked with his friends and employers and over and over we heard of a fine, caring, young man. And, we laughed. Amidst the tears, we remembered that wonderful little boy we so loved.

Just before the sun rose on the day we spread his ashes, he came to me briefly, saying only "Thanks for coming, guys." And, then he was gone, on his own journey.

Saddness is still there, but the grief is tempered by a joy that Bryce, only 33, lived a life rich with good people, people who remember, carrying his compassion and kindness with them.

Last summer was a bit of a blur - wherever did it go? It was marked by getting our well and water system built (and lots of ditch digging!) and acquiring our newest sailboat, little NANU (the Celtic goddess of love and beauty.) Although much of her summer was spent travelling up here from her former home in Sacramento and in the boatyard getting her very first coat of bottom paint, we did enjoy some great sails, some pictures of which are in my Gallery.

Somehow, before we knew what happened, it was fall and Howard was getting ANU ready in San Carlos, Mexico, for her 1200-mile trip south to Zihuatenejo. While I stayed on Salt Spring with my Mom (97 on January 2nd!) Howard journeyed south, reaching his desination just in time to come home for the holidays, meeting up with Kendra and Ross in Seattle for the journey to Salt Spring.

That time also flew, and before we knew it we were in the Vancouver Airport toasting 2008 in the fancy Fairmont Hotel Lounge at the Airport before settling down in the Baggage Claim section to try to get a few hours of sleep before checking in for our flight to Zihuatenejo at 4:30 a.m. We had a perfect trip and Britta was a great traveller. We arrived almost 12 hours later to the 87 degrees and 83% humidity of the lush tropical Zihuatenejo.

After a wonderful month in Zihuatenejo, definitiely our favorite Mexican city yet, I returned home to check on my Mom, with plans to rejoing Howard and Britta soon for the sail back to San Carlos, followed by the drive north to Salt Spring.

Since I left my camera with pictures of Zihua in Mexico on ANU, I will wait until April to share this wonderful city with you. Soon. . . .

Pushing publishing tramas and the ever-present marketing needs aside, it is finally time for me to get back to doing what I love - research and writing. Our 8th HarborTown History will begin our Canadian series (complete with a new spelling: HarbourTown Histories!) with the history of Victoria.

Not only is Canadian history fascinating (and so totally new for me), but Victoria, a charming town, has a unique and fascinating history. I am thoroughly enjoying exploring it and look forward to offering the only comprehensive, compact history of this exciting city later this year.

One addition will be a historical waking tour map of downtown Victoria. This map will be accompanied by coupons for discounts or free gifts at Victoria's favorite historic destinations. I am excited about adding this enticement for readers to use Victoria , a HarbourTown History to enjoy some of the Victoria's unique historical establishments.

I have just found that our seventh HarborTown History, Point Reyes, and my personal favorite, is not selling as well as it should. As the only compact, comprehensive history of Point Reyes, it is full of disasters, from shipwrecks to the 1906 earthquake; aquisition and development schemes; and intriguing characters. The powerful, tenacious, colorful members of the Shafter family were especially fascinating to me.

Convinced our book holds an important spot in the Point Reyes picture, why are sales lagging? Are residents and visitors, so passionately connected to its natural history,simply not interested in its story? Or, is there something about our book that keeps it from jumping of the shelves and into customers' arms?

Any suggestions?

Finally, after daunting challenges publishing San Diego and the second edition of Catalina Island, they were delivered in May 2007. To my great relief, the overwhelming logistical challenges we encounted trying to publish on our boat in Mexico did not seem to have affected their quality, and we are very pleased with both new books.

As soon as taking delivery, I began setting up accounts in San Diego. No matter how I love that city, it was tough! Even worse than Denver, it seemed that every shop, no matter how small, had no one who could make the decision to carry the book. It seemed that most decision-makers were even in other cities, making sales almost impossible.

I smiled, and walked, and smiled, and returned time again again seeking one who could make the decision I needed. Aching feet, I estimated I walked at least 10 miles every day! In the evenings, I collapsed in my motel room with some wine and my Trader Joes salad choice of the day - Yes!

But, when the week was over and successes/failures tallied, a lot of books were placed and more accounts than any other city were established. There are so many perfect markets for it in San Diego. I am hopeful.

Now, I need to figure out how to put it into a pdf file so that I can put it, plus the text and pictures, on my website. Until I figure that out, if you want a copy, just shoot me an e-mail and I will send one.

Our next HarborTown Histories, San Diego, is scheduled to go to press next month. If it makes it, it will be a miracle. How much I have learned about the complexities of trying to publish a book from an island in British Columbia with most resources in California and Howard typesetting in Mexico!

After frantically searching for an express mail edited manuscript that took 6 weeks to arrive, I wondered if this book was "meant to be." Incompatable Quark versions, phones and internet that worked, didn't work, and, thankfully, worked again, amd trying to get a cover disk delivered to Howard in Mexico made me continue to wonder.

Stubborn (tenacious) I am not ready to give up and hope to send the final copy from Mexico to our printers in Canada, proofing as we stop in towns large enough to receive mail as we journey 800 miles back to San Carlos, crossing the Sea of Cortez twice. I think I must be crazy to even try - but I have hopes of taking delivery of them (plus a revised second edition of Catalina Island) in Ventura on our way home.

Here's hoping!

After getting a team of caregivers to care for my 96-year old Mom for a month, I left for Mexico to be with Howard and Britta. I left in style - my friends Wendy and Judy drove me to Victoria to catch the speedy Victoria Clipper to Seattle. I arrived in Seattle about 10:00 p.m. New Years Eve. Refusing to pay $30 for a taxi when I could have an adventure instead, I caught a few downtown buses and was so pleased that, for a mere dollar, I arrived at my hotel - and I got to meet some nice folks from Bakersfield too!

I thought getting up at 4:00 a.m. New Years Day would be hard, but I was awake and ready to get going. Once in Puerto Vallerta, I easily caught a local bus and got to the main staion with an hour to spare to catch the only direct bus to Melaque that day - perfect!

The trip seemed long, but it was only about 5 hours. I was ready to be "home" when I arrived at Melaque at about 8:00 to kisses from Howard and Britta. We walked the beach and launched the dinghy into the surf. I had forgotten my moves and fell face first onto Howard's knee getting in.

I got lots of practice in the next month and even got pretty good at it.
One thing it took me awhile to realize was that I got wet each time we launched or landed and spent the first few weeks walking about wet and sandy. I finally got smart and bought myself a bikinni and coverup - and suddenly did not care how wet I got!

We had a wonderful month! We did not sail far (probably not over 100 miles) but had two fabulous days of sailing - plus lots of days exploring the beach villages and getting to know other cruisers. We spent a week in Teniticatita, almost a week at Las Hadas, near Manzanillo, and the rest of the time in Melaque.

Britta and I swam everyday and I walked the beach most days, often seeking a handmade treasure in the market - and often finding just what I wanted.

I sadly left February 1st to care for my Mom, hoping to return in early March. My trip home was so easy as I flew from Manzanillo to Vancouver this time. Arriving very late in Vancouver and wanting to leave very early to catch the first ferry, I got to know Vancouver Airport well at night. It is an amazing place - with areas open all night, a fancy hotel with a sofa and fireplace to pass some of the night, and a Burger King open all night.

Finally, by 4:00 a.m. I had breakfast and began waiting for the buses that would take me to the ferries. A perfect, very easy trip - but I was glad to get a jacket when I got home - the weather certainly had changed!

Hello . . . My son, Ross, has just set me up to begin blogging so that I can keep in contact with you as we cruise the tropics and build our home on Salt Spring Island. I am writing to you from our cottage on Salt Spring Island, looking out at the Tricomali Channel and the next island, Galiano. It is a bright, clear, cold day, a welcome change from the storms that have been battering us recently. I am so glad I love rain! I hope you will join me as I travel from a cool and lush British Columbia to the jungle coves of Mexico.

Howard and our beloved Portuguese Water Dog, Britta, left Salt Spring in late October to get our sailboat, ANU, out of dry dock in San Carlos and down the Mexican coast to the warm waters south of Bandaras Bay. They are there now while I care for my Mom, Florence, soon to turn 96-years old. In a few days I will begin my journey to them. If all goes as planned, after a car ride, 2 ferries, 5 buses, and 2 airplanes and 24 hours I will be with them. I will be in Mexico for the month, hopefully returning in early February with lots of new pictures and adventures to share.

I have included pictures taken in Mexico last season and some of our cottage on Salt Spring. See you next month with more photos of sunny Mexico! Cheers. . . Gayle