2001 - time flies

2000 passes in a blur. The grounds are cleared, the Environmental Impact Study begins and the guys begin an almost five year camping experience.

2001 is used to finalize the Environmental Impact Study and submit it for approval, building a barn and the first cabana. Things move slow and take a long time. We remind ourselves we are taking small bites. We purchase materials for the other five cabanas and the main building in Houston which was a huge undertaking. Then we ship those materials down to Panama on a Chiquita Banana boat and move them out to the property. We do not have any heavy equipment. Everything must be transported by boat out to the property and moved up a very high hill by manpower.

The holiday season 2001-2002 is the last time Jim and Jay come to Houston at the same time. Trips to and from Panama are spread out thinner over the year in order to keep the project moving – we sometimes go as long as three months apart. Jay and Stefanie are expecting a child in September 2002. Questions continue – do you know what you are doing? Stefanie gets put on bed rest for the last part of her pregnancy. Day to day life can be challenging. We all deal with the issues in different ways. I do a lot of yoga, work quite a bit, have lots of migraines, discuss things with family and friends over a few adult beverages and tear out pages from magazines for the house that I will have some day. Jim and I talk about things – but we NEVER entertain the idea of quitting. Quitting isn’t an option. We have sacrificed too much and look forward to life ahead – so we push on.