Dear Family,
I had planned on hiking into find the site for the repeater for our Internet on Wednesday. On Tuesday we went to Francia to get some things we needed for the repeater, and got back about 2 PM. An American called us on the radio from Waspam, frantic to get out of Nicaragua. He had just returned from a few days down the river working in small communities, and upon his return to Waspam he found his mother in America had died. Due to the strike, all the buses and planes were shut down in Port, and the only plane to Waspam was full. I flew him and his wife to Managua Wednesday. About 1/2 the flight was IFR, but smooth. Fortunately we didn't hit any large storms, but there was heavy rain below us. Unfortunately, I was just in Managua about 1 1/2 weeks ago, so didn't need so many things. It would have been very sad to come back with an empty plane, so I took advantage of the trip and purchased 2 batteries. I was very fortunate to find a couple new deep cycle 6 volt batteries. They are less amp hours than I currently have with my three 12 volt batteries, but will be better. I will put them in the house, and then use the 12 volt batteries for radio's. One will go to Kukalia, the new runway I am working on getting going, and likely I will use one in Waspam for the radio there. Our house batteries are about 2 years old, also deep cycle. They are still in good shape. Eventually I will try to get two more 6 volt batteries for our house for a total of 4.
I also bought bike parts, some nails, and misc items, so I had about 400 lbs of stuff. Not a full load, but close. I flew back this morning, a beautiful day, couldn't have been prettier. It was clear blue above the clouds, smooth air. The volcano nearby (Masia) was pouring out steam, and the plane flew comfortably at 11,500 feet, where it was a chilly 45 degrees!
The day was so nice, that I made an appointment to meet the hospital people in Waspam and transport a nurse and some medicines to San Carlos. This is the first time I have been there since returning, and I need to go check their runway and inform them that the inspector will be there in 3 or 4 weeks. After unloading in Tronquera and eating breakfast, I landed in Waspam at 11 AM. A wall of rain was coming, but from the back, so I quickly loaded and took off, heading away from it. This time of year, storms go through fast, so I knew it would be gone before I returned. San Carlos was very muddy, covered the plane to the top of the tail in mud. It put 3 little nicks in my prop too. They promised tomorrow they had several communities all together coming to haul rock and fix the drainage ditches to fix it up. I told them they had to fix it before I would fly out emergencies. Then I flew another 15 minutes to Raiti, and looked it over from the air. As I have mentioned before, that is the most remote place in Nicaragua I have seen. They are actively working on their runway. It looks about 1/2 done. That surprised me since the rains are still going, I guess they are anxious to get it finished.
The trip home was IFR for about 1/2 hour through medium rain, I used my GPS approach I made and came out at 1,000 feet.
Tomorrow if it isn't too rainy, we plan to hike the 4 miles and choose the site for a tower for our Internet repeater.
Clint
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Trip home
Dear Family,
I had a good trip to Managua and got everything planned accomplished.
On Monday when I arrived I went to government offices dealing with customs for the airplane, it all looks fine. Then I went to the bank and paid for another inspection for our 3 runways and spent time at the airplane permission place scheduling it, that will happen mid-November. I was also able to get some steel for a rack for our truck, which we have needed for a long time, so we can carry lumber and building supplies on it. Gerson will bring it on the bus when he comes in December. He will be helping us with some mobile clinics while on his vacation from medical school in December and January.
The plane was really full coming back. I had 522 lbs. 500 is full, but I took the back seat out before I left, so I had 22 lbs more. I had it packed past the windows right to the top of the roof all the way back from the seats. I got all 8 bags we brought from America plus some other smaller items I bought in Managua. I had Brandel (47 lbs) with me because we got him retainers at the dentist. He has a cute little pilot shirt (thanks Mom!) that he loves and everyone at the airports comment on often about the "little pilot". He charmed my way along nicely through the government bureaucracy and checkpoints.
Today we're off to Waspam for the first time since we have returned. I have a little battery charger to install on our 2-meter radio there. We will also meet with the hospital and see if there are any ladies with new babies that need taken to San Carlos. I need to go check the runway there to have them get it ready for the inspection, and I want to make the trip worth while. Greg, the guy in charge of Francia, is coming in on the noon flight into Waspam. He is helping us get Internet set up. I'll be climbing the tower and putting up some new antenna's we brought, then we drive 1 hour away deep into the bush on a hill where we are trying to see if we can build a repeater to direct the signal to both us and Francia.
Always keeping busy! Sure is nice to have a slow relaxed lifestyle here . . . hasn't happened yet for the last couple years.
Clint
I had a good trip to Managua and got everything planned accomplished.
On Monday when I arrived I went to government offices dealing with customs for the airplane, it all looks fine. Then I went to the bank and paid for another inspection for our 3 runways and spent time at the airplane permission place scheduling it, that will happen mid-November. I was also able to get some steel for a rack for our truck, which we have needed for a long time, so we can carry lumber and building supplies on it. Gerson will bring it on the bus when he comes in December. He will be helping us with some mobile clinics while on his vacation from medical school in December and January.
The plane was really full coming back. I had 522 lbs. 500 is full, but I took the back seat out before I left, so I had 22 lbs more. I had it packed past the windows right to the top of the roof all the way back from the seats. I got all 8 bags we brought from America plus some other smaller items I bought in Managua. I had Brandel (47 lbs) with me because we got him retainers at the dentist. He has a cute little pilot shirt (thanks Mom!) that he loves and everyone at the airports comment on often about the "little pilot". He charmed my way along nicely through the government bureaucracy and checkpoints.
Today we're off to Waspam for the first time since we have returned. I have a little battery charger to install on our 2-meter radio there. We will also meet with the hospital and see if there are any ladies with new babies that need taken to San Carlos. I need to go check the runway there to have them get it ready for the inspection, and I want to make the trip worth while. Greg, the guy in charge of Francia, is coming in on the noon flight into Waspam. He is helping us get Internet set up. I'll be climbing the tower and putting up some new antenna's we brought, then we drive 1 hour away deep into the bush on a hill where we are trying to see if we can build a repeater to direct the signal to both us and Francia.
Always keeping busy! Sure is nice to have a slow relaxed lifestyle here . . . hasn't happened yet for the last couple years.
Clint
malnourished baby
Dear Grandma,
Today has been a quiet day.
When we went to Puerto last week, we took a mother with a sick baby in. It is actually the baby I caught 3 months ago, before we came to the States. They did not ask me to consult for the baby, which is usually ok. I did notice on the trip into town that she as giving the baby water and juice (more like koolaide than fruit juice). I asked her about breastfeeding, she said the baby wouldn't suck. I asked about milk, she said the baby didn't like milk! (ie, she didn't have the money to buy milk) I told her babies need MILK! So we stopped right away and I bought milk for her and had her give the baby the whole 4 oz bottle right then (she tried to save some for later). When we got to town I bought 2 tins of baby formula and gave them to her with strict instructions to only give the baby MILK! I told her when she came back to Tronquera I would give her more.
I asked her sister-in-law about the baby. She said her mother (the baby's grandmother) found out the mother was giving her maizena, which is basically cornstarch thickened sugar water.
The baby died on Sunday. They are burying him today. I went to see the family and take some pictures. These people never get pictures until it is too late. Now the only picture they have of the baby is after he is dead.
As soon as I am able, I will be ordering educational supplies and dvd's to help this problem. Because of lack of funds, babies are often given koolaide in their bottles. I have even seen one with coffee (the mother brought the baby complaining it had anemia, surprise!). Milk is expensive. When you have the choice of buying food for the whole family or milk for one baby, the one suffers so that the others can eat.
This is another reason for the nutrition program combined with health education.
The push to breastfeed is big here in Nicaragua for this reason. And many mother's do breastfeed and their babies do great. But too many of them stop for one reason or another and the baby almost always is sickly and malnourished.
So today is quiet but sad.
Lots of love,
Marilyn
Today has been a quiet day.
When we went to Puerto last week, we took a mother with a sick baby in. It is actually the baby I caught 3 months ago, before we came to the States. They did not ask me to consult for the baby, which is usually ok. I did notice on the trip into town that she as giving the baby water and juice (more like koolaide than fruit juice). I asked her about breastfeeding, she said the baby wouldn't suck. I asked about milk, she said the baby didn't like milk! (ie, she didn't have the money to buy milk) I told her babies need MILK! So we stopped right away and I bought milk for her and had her give the baby the whole 4 oz bottle right then (she tried to save some for later). When we got to town I bought 2 tins of baby formula and gave them to her with strict instructions to only give the baby MILK! I told her when she came back to Tronquera I would give her more.
I asked her sister-in-law about the baby. She said her mother (the baby's grandmother) found out the mother was giving her maizena, which is basically cornstarch thickened sugar water.
The baby died on Sunday. They are burying him today. I went to see the family and take some pictures. These people never get pictures until it is too late. Now the only picture they have of the baby is after he is dead.
As soon as I am able, I will be ordering educational supplies and dvd's to help this problem. Because of lack of funds, babies are often given koolaide in their bottles. I have even seen one with coffee (the mother brought the baby complaining it had anemia, surprise!). Milk is expensive. When you have the choice of buying food for the whole family or milk for one baby, the one suffers so that the others can eat.
This is another reason for the nutrition program combined with health education.
The push to breastfeed is big here in Nicaragua for this reason. And many mother's do breastfeed and their babies do great. But too many of them stop for one reason or another and the baby almost always is sickly and malnourished.
So today is quiet but sad.
Lots of love,
Marilyn
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Port Trip
Dear Family,
We've been back home in Tronquera since Sunday afternoon. When we are gone so long, we run our house out of supplies before leaving. We had no rice, flour, or any staples. We also were out of gas for the airplane, and needed other supplies. So soon after settling in, we decided to go to Port and get supplies, and that happened today, Wednesday. We were up at 4:45 AM, and driving by 5:30. We picked up 1/2 a dozen people from the village that wanted to go to Port, including a mother and baby that we took to the hospital. The rains for the last 2 months have made the road worse, and the trip took 4 hours. Hard to imagine that it is only 75 miles. We can drive half way across Montana in 4 hours. Anyway, Port is about the same, but things are slower there. The economy slowdown has finally hit here. Traffic was far less, stores not crowded, very little construction.
We rushed through 3 hours of buying supplies, and $800 went real quick. The 100 gallons of plane gas was a big chunk of that. Marilyn got groceries, and we headed back, trying to make the trip in one day. We have already talked to family and spent time on the Internet while in America, the main things that necessitate spending the night in Port. We left at 1:30 PM, record time to get almost everything done!
Going back home slogging our way through the mud holes we went through heavy rain and a lightening storm. I thought of our cargo: 125 lbs of propane, a 5 foot long 150 lb Oxygen bottle, and 2 drums of gasoline. I figured if lightening did strike us, we would light up the area around for quite a distance.
We got back just after dark at 6 PM, and had a good supper. The kids got to bed on time, and a batch of brownies (thanks Mom!) is cooking with one of our freshly purchased eggs. It is a long day when you go to town once a month, and we rarely get it done in one day.
Tomorrow I am going to try to figure out how to get a couple 300 lb drums of gas out of the truck with a come-a-long.
There has been more rain this last couple months than is normal.
I've been told 4 or 5 people have died in remote villages that needed transport while were were gone to America. We need to find another plane and pilot to come down eventually as a backup. It is good to know you are doing some good, but sorry people have to die for lack of transportation.
God Bless,
Clint and Marilyn
We've been back home in Tronquera since Sunday afternoon. When we are gone so long, we run our house out of supplies before leaving. We had no rice, flour, or any staples. We also were out of gas for the airplane, and needed other supplies. So soon after settling in, we decided to go to Port and get supplies, and that happened today, Wednesday. We were up at 4:45 AM, and driving by 5:30. We picked up 1/2 a dozen people from the village that wanted to go to Port, including a mother and baby that we took to the hospital. The rains for the last 2 months have made the road worse, and the trip took 4 hours. Hard to imagine that it is only 75 miles. We can drive half way across Montana in 4 hours. Anyway, Port is about the same, but things are slower there. The economy slowdown has finally hit here. Traffic was far less, stores not crowded, very little construction.
We rushed through 3 hours of buying supplies, and $800 went real quick. The 100 gallons of plane gas was a big chunk of that. Marilyn got groceries, and we headed back, trying to make the trip in one day. We have already talked to family and spent time on the Internet while in America, the main things that necessitate spending the night in Port. We left at 1:30 PM, record time to get almost everything done!
Going back home slogging our way through the mud holes we went through heavy rain and a lightening storm. I thought of our cargo: 125 lbs of propane, a 5 foot long 150 lb Oxygen bottle, and 2 drums of gasoline. I figured if lightening did strike us, we would light up the area around for quite a distance.
We got back just after dark at 6 PM, and had a good supper. The kids got to bed on time, and a batch of brownies (thanks Mom!) is cooking with one of our freshly purchased eggs. It is a long day when you go to town once a month, and we rarely get it done in one day.
Tomorrow I am going to try to figure out how to get a couple 300 lb drums of gas out of the truck with a come-a-long.
There has been more rain this last couple months than is normal.
I've been told 4 or 5 people have died in remote villages that needed transport while were were gone to America. We need to find another plane and pilot to come down eventually as a backup. It is good to know you are doing some good, but sorry people have to die for lack of transportation.
God Bless,
Clint and Marilyn
Monday, October 05, 2009
end of trip
Hi guys.
I just wanted to write and let you all know that we arrived safe back in Tronquera. Our house was in fine shape as far as safety, but very dirty with 2 months of dust, dirt and bugs. I am going to be spending quite a few days cleaning it. Since it is so dirty I will go ahead and do a "spring" cleaning. All the cobwebs and dust in all the corners. This time I will have the use of the air compressor and the small vacuum. That will hopefully make it faster.
We have a long list of projects to do so I know that we will stay busy for a long time.
Lots of love,
Marilyn
I just wanted to write and let you all know that we arrived safe back in Tronquera. Our house was in fine shape as far as safety, but very dirty with 2 months of dust, dirt and bugs. I am going to be spending quite a few days cleaning it. Since it is so dirty I will go ahead and do a "spring" cleaning. All the cobwebs and dust in all the corners. This time I will have the use of the air compressor and the small vacuum. That will hopefully make it faster.
We have a long list of projects to do so I know that we will stay busy for a long time.
Lots of love,
Marilyn
The first part of our trip back after departing from Managua was fine. We were at full gross weight and full of gas. It took us 1 hour to climb to 9500 feet. The last 1/2 of the 3 hour trip we hit some rain. I went to 11,500 (hit an updraft in a cloud) but still flew IFR in some heavy rain for awhile. I was fortunate to be able to call ahead to Waspam with the ham radio we have there and find the weather there was fine (that is only 13 miles by air from our runway). We came out of broken clouds 10 miles from our runway, and found it nice and clear.
After sitting for 2 months, our plane was in nice shape. It started right up, took off in 90+ degree heat with a full load, and flew us safely all the way over the jungle, across the country. One always wonders when you leave an airplane in a 3rd world country for that much time (2 months) alone, but the airport security did a good job.
Clint
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