Just before Thanksgiving of 2005, we left the boat in Mazatlan, Mexico and  Robert, Amy and Mark returned to the United States to recharge some batteries, get our fill of family, and restock on parts which are hard to come by in Mexico.  As the holidays progressed, Robert caught the stomach flu and then passed it on to each family member.  Just as that subsided, a fresh round of head colds made its way through the family.  As February came to a close, Mark was still suffering from congested sinuses.

At the end of March we headed to Albany to celebrate Mark's 38th birthday, and stayed through Easter.