January 24-November 10, 2018
We’ve had an unexpected interlude in Portland, Oregon. A three week holiday from Chile to visit family back in the USA at the end of January 2018, turned into nearly 10 months spent in Oregon due to my (Kristy) being diagnosed with breast cancer. 
Fortunately I had insurance with Kaiser Permanente which covered all of my treatments (minus the large deductible/co-pays) and we were able to stay in Scott’s lovely home in Beaverton. Surgery (biopsy then lumpectomy), chemotherapy (4 treatments over 12 weeks) and radiation (4 weeks) are finally completed. We’re keen to get back on the boat in Chile. We’re planning to arrive in Puerto Montt by Nov 11th and continue cruising Patagonia for the summer season. I can’t wait!
While in Oregon we had lots of fun in Scott’s yard, helping to raise a new puppy and making many side trips to the coast or elsewhere. In March, Scott got a new chocolate lab puppy he named Koda. She is adorable – we’ve loved having a “grandpuppy” to look after and help raise. What A LOT of work!
Scott has a great backyard that we’ve also enjoyed helping him manage. He has several blueberry bushes plus apple, pear, fig and plum trees and some vegetable garden boxes. We all have fun in his yard, including Koda!
In the meantime, John has been great about getting us out for small trips. We’ve enjoyed the entire coast of Oregon which is beautiful.
Multiple trips to Newport, OR
Brookings, OR
Long Beach, WA
Scott and John spent two weeks in Scotland.
While Scott and John traveled to Scotland to visit his family, my brother Brad came up to visit and later my mother. We had two great trips to Newport, OR and some quality time together. I really appreciated their coming to look after me.
We had a wonderful trip to our home in Sitka, Alaska in September and were really fortunate to have many sunny days and opportunities for hiking.
New Mexico was beautiful in October. We visited with my family and we also got to see the Balloon Festival. My family gave us a Balloon flight which was fantastic!
We got to ride up with Jodie on the MV Kennicott from Bellingham to Juneau. She wrote an essay about John Muir in a contest to “name the ferry” back in 6th grade and she won 2nd prize. This is her 22 yrs later next to the plaque of her engraved essay.
Jodie has now settled in Juneau and started her new ER doc job at Bartlett Hospital. She’ll also being doing work at the AK Native Med Ctr (ANMC) in Anchorage. Lots of AK Air miles will be accrued by her this year!!
My hair is growing back. After nearly 10 months away from the boat, John and I fly back to Puerto Montt, Chile on Nov 10th. The adventures continue!
