CREW GYPSY CREW Kit Cody Kit is captain of Gypsy, and the only crew to commit for the entire journey to California. He joins the boat after four years navigating the troubled waters of Internet development in New York City. Prior to the city, Kit was a commercial fisherman in Alaska for nine years. He got his sea legs in Green Lake, Wisconsin, where he spent summers capsizing scows in the junior sailing program. James Hynes James, aka 'Grampa Jim,' brings a wealth of experience aboard Gypsy. He has sailed the lakes of Wisconsin since the early 60s, and prior to that he was captain of a troop- landing ship in World War II (which comes in handy when you're storming the beaches of Bequia, looking for a decent restaurant). Grampa Jim joined us for one week, for the passage from St. Lucia through the Grenadines in late June. Libba Harmon Libba joins Gypsy as a neophyte to the sailing world, but she learned quickly and brought the equally essential skills of accupuncture, gourmet cooking, and an uncanny ability to catch fish. She initiated the sunset cocktail, which has proved an enduring ritual. Libba was aboard Gypsy for two weeks, for the circumnavigation of Tobago, and the passage to Trinidad in late June and early July. Robert Cody Robert, aka 'Uncle Bob,' brings a diverse skillset aboard Gypsy. An avid sailor since birth, he is quite lucid in the ways of weather, water, and marine electronics. His daily guitar serenade was pure bliss. Despite having an older brother named 'Skipper,' Robert is very capable of running a tight ship. He was on Gypsy for three weeks, assisting with the long passage from Trinidad to Bonaire in July. Flip Cody Flip is an ideal first mate and exceptional dive partner. Having dabbled in commercial fishing in Alaska in the 80s, he understands what it takes to sail under extreme duress. He was well prepared for the intense sun and steady winds of the Caribbean. He is also a passionate diver, and hardly a day went by that he didn't have a tank on his back. Flip cruised Bonaire, then sailed to Curacao in early August. Julie and John Scuras Julie wins the award for most hard-core crew member yet to grace Gypsy. Despite being five months pregnant on our journey, she never once backed down from outings or adventure (though she didn't sleep much on those rolling anchorages). John was cruise director extraordinare, spearheading our recreation both on and off the boat. The two of them cruised the length of Curacao in mid-August. Olivier Unternaehrer Olivier introduced himself on the docks of Club Nautico, Cartegena, looking for a ride towards Costa Rica. He was only aboard Gypsy for a matter of days, for the crossing from Colombia to Panama, but his forthright attitude and unbridled enthusiasm endear him to our cause. Olivier learned to sail with his father on Lake Geneva, near his home in Switzerland. Hoptoad Having already cruised with us for weeks, the Toads secured a spot on Gypsy's crew as line handlers through the Panama Canal. It is the composure and dexterity of this veteran crew that allowed us to encounter prop wash largely unscathed. We will see more of this laid-back family from Seattle-- Jeff, Margie, Sonny and Shawn-- who circled the globe aboard their 38-foot steel cutter (named after Pippi Longstockings' father's boat). Leslie Cody Leslie came aboard Gyspy with no practical nautical experience, but ample enthusiasm and engery to carry here weight. She is a nature lover and outdoor enthusiast extraordinaire, and every day with her was a gamely attempt to live life to its fullest. Leslie joined us aboard Gyspy at Punta Leona, in norhtern Costa Rica, for the holidays, and from there we sailed through the Gulf of Nicoya. Barbara Schindler Barbara has the perfect blend of experience and disposition for embracing the cruising lifestyle. Her mother is Cuban, her father was in the navy, and Barbara spent her life aboard pleasure boats in the Virgin Islands, where she grew up. But Barbara's stint aboard Gyspy was no vacation. She sailed from Guatemala through the notorious Tehuantepec Gulf, in southern Mexico, where we encountered 50-knot winds. Ian and Vanessa Beeck Ian and Vanessa were the most spontaneous addition to the Gypsy crew. I met Ian surfing in Puerto Escondito, Mexico, and when he mentioned he was headed north with his girlfriend the following day I offered them a ride. Ian and Vanessa are from Albany, in southwestern Australia, and though the extent of their 'boating experience' entailed standing upright on an surfboard, they did a fine job seeing us safely to Acapulco. Graham Bergh Graham got his sea legs on the East Coast of the States, where he divided his summers between Lake Champlain, in Vermont (where he pumped gas at a marina), and Cape Cod. He joined us for the 120-mile run from Acapulco to Zihuatenejo, and though his mind often wandered to his nine-month-old son Tabor, back home in Oregon, Graham proved to be a first-rate mate, fisherman, volleyball and dominos player. Aubrey Yost We never had a proper first mate or soul mate aboard Gypsy until this blue-eyed landlubber breezed down to Mexico. Always sporting her trusty wrist bands, Aubrey took to cruising like a pro, and led a personal crusade to see every whale and dolphin in the Sea of Cortez. Every day with Aubrey was a gift, and we are forever grateful for her facination with phosphorous, her love of sardines, and her superior backgammon skills. Skip Cody Skip knows fishing, and on Gypsy he brought an impressive arsenal of rods and lures to assure our freezer was never short of fresh protein. He also brought a boundless appreciation night sailing, a well made margarita, and a hot meal at the end of the day. His generosity and constant good spirits made for memorable jaunt in the heart of Mexico. He led the charge across the Sea of Cortez and up the coast of Baja to La Paz. Paul Rahilly Paul, who hails from the emerald coasts of Ireland, raised the spearfishing bar to new heights on Gypsy. When he wasn't in the water, he was snapping pictures, tipping back a frosty one, or charming us with his irrepressable wit and enthusiasm. He joined us in La Paz, and cruised through the islands and down the coast to Cabo San Lucas. He also played host in his home town of San Diego when Gypsy finally reached American shores. Support Crew This site would not have been possible without the generous support of several incredibly talented friends. The stellar design work comes courtesy of Will Hadley, with capable help from Liza Pagano. Page production was spearheaded by Enja Schenck. A shoutout to the team, wherever you may be, for breathing life into the Gypsy Report.	Gray-eyed Athena sent them a favorable breeze, a fresh west wind singing over the wine-dark sea. Homer, The Odyssey