Barcelona, Spain

This is the harbor EcstaSea is resting in with Barcelona close in the background.

After and uneventful 2 1/2 day cruise up the coast of Spain we arrived in Barcelona. After 2 nights of sailing Willow became much more comfortable with the mystery of sailing in the dark and relying on radar, so we are confident that longer passages will be easeful.

Barcelona is everything we had hoped for and heard about. Beauty, sculptures, fountains, art (just for arts sake), music everywhere---LIFE abounds......



We've done the usual touristy things but now feel that this is "our" city as we have lived here the last week and a half and know it really well. We spent a day riding the tourist bus which took us all over the city, giving us the history and overview. We toured the Sagrada Familia, the Antoni Gaudi temple cathedral which still isn't finished. We rode the tram high over the harbor and city up to the mountain called Montjuicc with it's castle at the top and the gardens and Olympic area.

We've had awesome food and in fact, have not had a bad meal at all. We have enjoyed Spanish wine and of course, Sangria. We visit and shop at the local market and we walk in the Squares in the evening listening to all of the street musicians.

Life is sweet here in Barcelona........

Worm Vending Machine

Here in Port Almerimar this is the most interesting thing......
Vending machines that sell WORMS!!!!
Richard was really happy when he saw that the Americano worms were by far the biggest and fattest....Men, go figure!!!

Another interesting paradox here is that most of the fruits and vegetables grown in Spain are from this area, but they are not for sale locally and a good salad is not to be found.

Happy to be leaving and heading to Barcelona.................

Sailing Away

Here we are back in the Mediterranean on our beloved EcstaSea. She wintered well here in the Port of Almerimar on the southern coast of Spain. After settling in here the last 2 weeks we are anxious to sail up the coast tomorrow towards Barcelona.

Once again we are reminded to "be with what is while creating what can be" as we are adjusting to the newness of everything around us. A lot of changeable wind here to mirror our everchanging lifestyle aboard a home that is in constant movement. Our backyard is the ocean-- how wild and wonderful is that!!!!

So, we are off to play in our backyard---talk to you later......

We Did It !!!!!!!!!!!!!

On April 18th we walked through the mist to our most magical, mystical and magnificent wedding on the Big Sur coast.

Let the journey begin..........

Wedding Proposal Montage

Here we are still in our desert home here in Tucson as we prepare for our April 18th wedding in Big Sur, California. Love and Life flow sweetly and smoothly as we enjoy the planning of our celebration. We have just been blessed with a beautiful montage of pictures of our proposal back in August by Richard's wonderful sister, Vicki. How awesome for us to share that special time with all of you as we near our wedding day. Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf9z9v1k-4M

We trust that life and love are fulfilling each of you as you journey along.......

Much love,
Willow and Richard

Living on Terra Firma

Well, here we are back in Tucson adjusting to life without much movement, living on Terra Firma again.

Why is the bed not moving?
Where is the sound of the waves? (oh yeah, turn on the sound wave machine Willow)
Shouldn't we check the anchor?
Why are we wearing all of these clothes?

Questions and a little confusion as we adjust to re-entry!!!!

Seriously, we are thankful to be back in our beautiful desert home in Tucson. What gorgeous weather here in the winter and we can enjoy the majesty of the Catalina mountains and Richard is enjoying the greens of the golf course.

We left EcstaSea in a safe harbor on the southern coast of Spain in good hands and know she will be waiting for us next summer. We had a safe passage from the islands to the coast and Willow became comfortable with the sailing at night ---soooo peaceful under the multitude of stars and the light of Mother Moon.

We were only back in Tucson a few weeks and took a road trip over to the California coast to begin plans for our wedding there at Big Sur. Traveled back to Tucson on Thanksgiving and are now settling in for a little while as we hope to reconnect with our friends here.

Wishing everyone Peace, Love and Joy throughout the holidays.
Much Love.....
Willow and R

Summers End

We know it's been a long time since you've heard from us, but what is time but only an illusion anyway? After our magical time back at the family reunion and "The Proposal" we rejoined EcstaSea back on the island of Mallorca. We continued to chase the sun, wind and waves as we enjoyed the last of summer swimming freely in our little calas.

We sailed over to the island of Ibiza again and enjoyed exploring the northern and western coasts. Along these coasts we encountered huge (and i really mean huge) jellyfish and much to our surprise we also found Elvis alive and thriving in the little town of Portinix. We enjoyed mingling with the old and young hippies in the city of Ibiza as we meandered thru the old city eating tapas and of course drinking our favorite sangria.

Once again we had a great sail back to Mallorca for our last visit to Palma as we finished some work on EcsatSea. Palma has finally become familiar and we experienced bitter sweet feelings as we sailed away from her again. After a few days totally relishing the sunshine and the fullness of Mother Moon in on of our favorite calas, Espalmador, we have arrived at the little island of Formentara. It is from here tonight that we will sail to the mainland of Spain for the last leg of our journey before returning to Tucson. Our beloved EcstaSea will winter safely in the port of Almerimar on the southern coast of Spain.

Our summer here among the Balearic Islands has been magical, magnificent and full of wonder both within and without........
We continue to grow and expand individually and together as we live in harmony with Yemaya and look forward to our next adventure whatever it may be.

Om Shanti,
Willow and R