Here you will find tales of voyages past and present on our trusty Pacific Seacraft Dana 24, "Sockdolager," and our Bigfoot29 powerboat, "Raven," from Port Townsend, Washington, USA. In 2009 we sailed north from Puget Sound up the west coast of Vancouver Island to the Queen Charlotte Islands (now called Haida Gwaii.) In 2010 we went back to the west coast of Vancouver Island. In July 2011 we left the Northwest, sailed to Mexico, and in March 2012 we crossed the Pacific to French Polynesia, then on to the Cooks, Niue and Tonga. We spent several months in New Zealand, and in May 2013 loaded Sockdolager (and ourselves) on a container ship for San Francisco. In June and July 2013 we sailed north along the California, Oregon and Washington coasts, and in August we arrived home. In October 2016, Sockdolager found new owners, and we began cruising on Raven, a unique wooden 29' powerboat. In 2018 we cruised up to Glacier Bay, Alaska, and back. But in 2024 we had the chance to buy Sockdolager back (we missed her), so we sold Raven. We hope you enjoy reading about our adventures as much as we enjoy having them. (And there will be more.)



Friday, October 5, 2012

The Beat Goes On...



Dear Friends and Family,
A few days after we arrived in Vava'u, Tonga, Karen began feeling poorly.  Heart palpitations and extreme fatigue got worse and worse over several days of rest, so we flew to the capital of Nuku Alofa on Tongatapu, where she was admitted to Vaiola Hospital for 3 days of evaluation and stabilization.  Yesterday we flew from Tonga to Auckland, New Zealand, and will see a cardiologist on Monday.  Karen is doing okay now, though she will not be able to make the passage from Tonga to New Zealand.  She will undergo a more thorough evaluation this week, and will stay in New Zealand to rest and await Sockdolager's arrival sometime in November.  We'll have more information for you when it is available.  In addition to stressful, this has been a very interesting experience about which Karen will write in more detail when she has the chance.
Jim and Karen
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11 comments:

  1. Neophyte CruiserOctober 5, 2012 at 3:37 PM

    Our best wishes and thoughts to Karen's speedy and complete recovery!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Frank and Michelle AmatoOctober 5, 2012 at 4:01 PM

    Our prayers for a speedy recovery.

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  3. SlipawehOctober 5, 2012 at 8:17 PM

    Rest up, Karen. Sockdolager will look after Jim just fine.
    Took your advice. Getting GUST-O ready for San Juan's in spring. Meeting other Dana owners there soon. Will be thinking of you.
    Ray and Anita

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  4. AnonymousOctober 6, 2012 at 8:24 AM

    Karen and Jim,
    I have very much enjoyed participating in your adventure. I am sorry to read about Karen's illness. I too will be praying for her speedy and complete recovery.
    Jay Bowden
    Little Lara
    Dana 306

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousOctober 6, 2012 at 9:06 PM

    Ugh so sorry to hear this. Karen, hoping for a speedy and uncomplicated recovery. Jiim, tom is in christchurch at least until monday..try emailing him if you're in the mood

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousOctober 7, 2012 at 7:26 AM

    I am wishing for the best for Karen. I hope she will be up and going soon. It's hard to imagine such a vibrant person as Karen having to stay in a bed long. Take care. Harriette

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  7. s/v Cold FeetOctober 7, 2012 at 9:58 PM

    Wow - I didn't expect to read that when I checked in with your blog. Our thoughts are with you both for a safe passage and full recovery!!

    Cold Feet has splashed down in the Chesapeake - the average depth of 21 feet still freaks me out.

    Keep us posted as you can.
    -Kevin & Ginny

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  8. MarkOctober 11, 2012 at 9:53 PM

    Sorry to hear about this episode, but glad you made it to NZ for evaluation and that the prognosis is good. We hope for a speedy recovery so you can resume the adventure together!
    Mark & Vicki, sv Southern Cross

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  9. Dufour35October 18, 2012 at 3:38 PM

    Same here, hope you start to feel better soon. Would Fiji be an option for the storm season. Nada Point Marina is bullet proof and very reasonable for long stay. Just a thought!
    http://www.vudapointmarina.com/

    Hoping for the best

    Steve

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dufour35October 18, 2012 at 3:40 PM

    Sorry Vuda Point Marina not Nada. Web address is correct.

    ReplyDelete

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