Last week a huge wave came crashing ashore and completely wiped out our plans for the next year or so. We are no longer sailing south towards Panama.
For about the past month, we've all been feeling a little strange. I can't quite put my finger on it, but for numerous reasons all of us have had doubts about our sailing plans. Getting within 5 miles of the Huatulco marina and having to turn around and run with it was our final straw.
The trip trying to get to Huatulco was indicative of what we'd be facing for most of our Central America sailing. We had planned to slow down our trip which would have left us looking for a place near Panama to spend hurricane season (aka dodging lightening bolts) before beating into the trade winds trying to cross up to Cuba. At the end of the day, this isn't what we want to do.
Our promise to our girls was that we'd venture as long as we were all having fun and had money to do so. With no one really having fun lately, we had a few family meetings that led us to decide to head back up and hang in Mexico. All but Emma was relieved at our decision. Emma had herself a good cry as she's disappointed we won't be discovering new countries and transiting the Panama Canal, which is on her bucket list.
At least Captain Fluff is happy to be heading back to Mexico
This adventure is to be all about spending quality time with our daughters, making memories to cherish and opening our girls' eyes to a life most people only dream about. The fact that Emma has a bucket list of impressive adventures most kids her age don't even know exist is proof that at one point of this trip we were "doing it right" and that we need to keep "doing it right".
For now, we're excited to get back with our cruising friends and spend more time relaxing and enjoying each other's company. We have a reservation at the marina in Barra Navidad for Christmas and a trip to Guatemala (by plane) in January that we're looking forward to.
So what's next, after sailing season? Your guess is as good as ours. Just 5 days ago we were headed to Panama, and now we're not...
Aimee Nance is currently 'cruising' around the world with her young family. You can follow their adventures on Sailing with Terrapin.
More like this
Long term family travel: Is it worth it? – Teresa Kennedy
How travel shapes young lives – Annabel Candy
How to raise a young family in an African safari camp – Saba Douglas-Hamilton
Main image: Cartoon of family adrift at sea (Shutterstock.com)
