"Tijereta" Guatemala running 100%

[Guatemala Dave]

August 30, 2010, Break out the Champagne! After a rebuild of the intercooler Dennis made another sea trial and everything checked out. Here are his words:

"Today 29/8/10 we launched Tijereta into small craft warnings. We were one of two boats out. We got her up on a plane at 3300 we were doing 18 to 19 knots and 170 degrees temp. It tops out at 20+/- knots but the over heating is gone. We beat around in the slop and caught four bonitas and decided to pack it in after about three hours. I believe we are in business. Den"

Now it is the time to get to the serious business of catching fish. Actually we didn't rush the Intercooler project too much since the rainy season weather has actually been a little worse than normal and Guatemala is still cleaning up from the earlier Hurricanes and Tropical Storms that have raised havoc with the countries roads and infrastructure. Dennis has continued to assist Guatemala in many ways for the fourty plus years since he arrived with the Peace Corp. I will repeat his call for help here since once the weather clears it is hard to remember that the suffering continues. This e-mail came 6/2/2010 but the need is still there.

Dear Friends of Guatemala,

We are really scratching bottom here trying to get some resources to repair bridges. We have built many bridges with PAVA over the years but the hurricane Agatha was so intense that it took away many bridges that withstood all the previous storms of the past few years.
In a word Guatemala is impassable. We don't have reliable access of the main highways to the boarders. The access from village to village is impossible probably 90% of the highlands. All of these isolated people have lost access to basic services, and to markets. We are doing an emergency food supply ( two weeks worth ) to the villages that we are presently working with. That alone is setting us back on our budget. We very urgently want to attack the access problems especially the fallen bridges we built years ago. In the mean time it's mud, mud everywhere. If any of you have any ideas of where we can get help or donations please write back , or send donations to: Dennis Wheeler -PAVA ,P.O. Box 661447, Miami Springs Fl.33266
Back to the fishing, It is going to get good soon and we will be ready. Dennis is ready to get you out fishing TODAY and I am in the process of putting together complete vacation packages that will show you all the wonders that Guatemala has to offer as well as the fantastic fishing. Keep an eye out for continued reports and e-mail or give me a call any time to discuss your adventure.