I have added a few new pictures from this month to the blog. The weather has finally cooled down so I feel like getting stuff done. My kids are working hard at school and that takes up most of our time. I have been keeping the boat clean and ready as I have a few people coming down to check her out. Still haven't figured out my engine problem but need to get some batteries charged up so I can turn it over when the mechanic comes. Not much else but having fun. If anyone needs to contact me about Vltava, my email is sunbreakeducation@yahoo.com or you can contact Shelly or Mike at lapazyachts@aol.com. Thanks, Allison

It's been over a month since I last wrote and things have calmed down here a lot. The leak got stopped with the help from Kevin(Sunbreak), Tom (Callisto), Mike (Tehani) and me. We've had two blissful weeks with NO water coming in! The problem ended up being a bung, which got loose, and water started to come in around the fastener. The water coming in was never a real problem, it's my bad batteries and lack of pumps which make it a pain. I have had some inquiries about the boat and have met one couple, who fell in love with her on site. They are trying to get the money together. I have some other people who want to come down in the beginning of November and are talking haul out. I would love to see Vltava out of the water. She has to be impressive.
The kids have started school, so that is taking up most of our day. I have been sailing with my friend Mike (Tehani) out to the islands for a few days and on Wednesdays. It has been great, as his boat is a 28 foot Herschoff ketch and all the lines are "my" size. He has been teaching me a lot and is hoping to get me comfortable enough to sail on my own. So, things are good here in Baja. I will try to be better at posting, especially as things with the sale unwind. Allison

It has been about a month since we have returned. it is getting hot down here which makes it hard to want to work during the day. I try to find stuff that needs to be done inside during the heat of the day. I have been chasing leaks around for the past few weeks. they seem to be getting stronger and I find myself needing to pump the bilges twice or three times a day. hard to get away! Vltava really needs a haul out soon. i am worried the leaks will get to be more than I can handle. I have a friend, Gwen, in Delaware who is willing to try to get my non profit going in the states. this is a huge task and I so much appreciate her assistance and enthusiasium!! If I can get a non profit status then i can try to get some grants to help with the upkeep of Vltava and keep the school program afloat. I also have her for sale as I can't stand trying to keep her afloat until she is no longer worth saving. that would break my heart! Vltava needs to be saved. her history and her sea-worthiness are reasons alone to keep her sailing. So there is a lot of emotion tied up with Vltava and what will become of her in the next few years. My dream would be to continue my school program while upgrading Vltava to be ready to do some of the Tallship events in the future. I am only dreaming now but I am here on this beautiful boat and it seems so real. Time to go pump. Allison

Well, I am finally back from the states. we had a good time visiting family, taking Sam to look at boarding schools, eating and hanging in the Pocono Mountains. Isabelle and I arrived home three days ago(24 hours late), Sam is in Washington, with our great friends off of Flying fish, having a blast(he heads to Hawaii in about a week), and Will is being fluid and working his way west to Start Evergreen in the fall. Vltava looks beautiful, except for the layer of dust on EVERY SINGLE surface! Matt arrives today and i already have a list of things he can help me with to get really ready for Hurricane season. I guess the boat was leaking heavier than when we left and Kevin and the Toms on Callisto and Seazure kept her dry for the most part and even repaired some places that needed it. Thanks to those guys I did not arrive here and have to jump directly into the bilge! Vltava needs a serious haul out ASAP or I am afraid of what might happen. that is another blog post, though. I am adding some pictures of my trip to the east coast. Allison

Hi Everybody,I have been on the east coast of the United States for about 3 weeks now. We are visiting family, running Sam around to look at boarding schools, getting Will ready for college, and, of course, shopping. I have been lucky enough to be able to work with my cousin, Lisa. at her catering buisiness to make some much needed cash and have some fun. I think I may have found the one job harder than working in the bilge and it is catering! lol! Very physical and demanding. There is never a dull moment! I got to, not only wash dishes and help with the parties, but also got cook with a good friend who is Lisa's partner and chef.. What a trip to whip up food for 130!!!! I will send some pictures of me in the kitchen soon. For the people who know me, they will be impressed, as kitchens and cooking aren't my strong points. We will be back in Mexico in the middle of July, just in time(or a little late) for hurricane season. As of right now Vltava is being checked on by neighbors as Tim had to head back to Southern California at the beginning of June. We had a small scare the other day when one friend, while dinging past Vltava, Heard the bilge alarm going off. We have had some problems with leaking this past year and really need to get on top of it soon. everything is okay and the problem is under control but it brings up the issue of having to get work done on Vltava ASAP or we will find ourselves in a bad situation. If anyone out there has any creative ideas on how we can raise the cash to get a haulout and save Vltava I would love to hear it! We have estimated we need at least 20,000.00 dollars to work on Vltava's bottom. She hasn't been hauled out in about 6 years, and anyone who knows wood boats, knows how bad that can be. We have Iron sickness around some of the fasteners and they have been the source of most of our problems. I actually listed Vltava with the yacht brokers in La Paz. I don't want to have to sell her but she needs a lot of work and I haven't been able to figure out how to make that happen. I would hate to hold on to her, dreaming, and wait to long for it to be feasable to fix her up. Please send ideas, talk to friends who may want to donate to our cause, people who may be interested in investing in Vltava and/or our school program. I am willing to listen to any creative ideas and suggestions. Thanks, Allison