Vicki is now in Denver, just down the block from Amy, Matt and the 3 grandkids (including the new twins!).  She wishes she could make the trip, and "the crossing", but her medical situation makes that all undesirable...so I continue on, as she suggested, and will share the experience with her as well as family and friends.  I arrived on "Arbella" to find her in the able good hands of Sam from Vortec, the team assisting us in moving and caring for the boat.  For the next several days, we will follow-up on previous maintenance and minor repair work, and begin some of the preparations on the boat, before the crew starts to arrive.  The city of Las Palmas is much bigger, in all respects, than I expected.... big new airport, huge port (the 4th largest in Spain), an "old city" surrounded by a very large and thriving city, with all the conveniences of home.  Clearly, Spanish is the dominant language, as those able to understand the Chicago/Annapolis guy are few and far between....it adds to the charm of the area!