1.   Slideshow
   

Mar 22 - Apr 20, 2007 - Tuamotus and Marquesas, French Polynesia

1.   Slideshow
   

Jun 19 - Sept 11, 2007 - Hawaii

Sept 22 - Oct 22, 2007 - Passage from Hawaii to San Diego

The 2007 season was dedicated primarily to bringing Raven to North America from French Polynesia, with lots of stopover time in assorted South Pacific paradises.   We joined her for a second cruise through French Polynesia, this time the atolls of the Tuamotus, and the remote and mysterious Polynesian islands of the Marquesas. 

As soon as Mike and I flew home from the Marquesas, Raven, Rod and our newest crew member Paola went to sea for the 2,000 mile passage to Hawaii.  It was a fast, trouble-free trip and Raven broke her own speed records, averaging some 200 miles every day and completing the trip in 10 days, 5 hours.

Rod thoroughly enjoyed his layover in Hawaii - pubs, billiard halls, surf breaks, cellphone service, and high speed internet all make the U.S. a nice change from the more spartan resources of the out-of-the-way destinations where we’ve been traveling.  Raven spent a total of four months in Hawaii over the summer, and Mike and I made two trips to enjoy the islands and escape Tucson’s summer heat..  In August we even imported Michelle, Eric and grandson Drew for a taste of tropical cruising around Oahu.  On our second visit in September  Mike and I were solo again, as Rod was off on vacation to his favorite spot, the Philippines.

On September 22 embarked on the 2800 mile passage from Hawaii to the U.S. mainland.  Elize Duggleby-Chouinard (Canadian) and Nick Curbishly (British) flew into Honolulu to crew on the long passage - both accomplished sailors and both well acquainted with both Raven and Rod.  Mike and I had a great time here in Arizona vicariously following Raven’s track  across the Pacific via Google Earth mapping.  Be sure to check out the video clip Nick filmed on the trip and posted on YouTube.

Raven made a fast safe passage, arriving at the Kona Kai Marina in San Diego in the wee hours of Saturday, October 6.  Mike and I drove over and welcomed Raven and her international crew to the U.S.  The following week was devoted to some serious house-cleaning as it was our first opportunity ever to drive to the boat (as opposed to flying internationally) with a big truck and transfer unnecessary “stuff” back to Arizona for storage or disposal.  We even had a chance to invite Jan and Signe, Raven’s previous owners, for a visit - their first time aboard Raven since selling her to us in 2004. 

The terrible San Diego wildfires of 2007 started shortly after Raven’s arrival and Rod was kept busy hosing the deck clean of thick layers of falling ash - an ongoing job for several weeks.  Some important refit projects got underway, highlighted by a new Northern Lights generator and a revamped inverter system.  And then the winter months in San Diego brought chilly weather and gray skies - causing us all to start making plans to head South of the Border in 2008!