Back in the States - Jan 4 – Mar 14, 2012

We made it to Sacramento and Rick’s Dad is in serious condition. The doctors have done a lot for him and it looks like he will be OK. He’ll be moved to a convalescent hospital next week, where he will stay for 8 weeks to receive antibiotics. Rick’s Mom needs help, so we are staying with her while his Dad is in the hospital.

Rick and his Dad

We did get out once in a while to see some family and friends and I went to see my Mom for a while. Rick’s Dad was released February 25 so we scheduled our return to La Paz for March 14.

Dinner at Michele's

While we were home we had a nice dinner with Dave and Michele, went wine tasting with Kellie, Sherry, Jamie, April and Buzz. We also had a couple of dinners with my brother Dale, Helen, Kellie and Sherry. We saw the grandkids and celebrated 4 of their birthdays. Just before we left we visited with Gary and Kathy, then met up with Dale and Dena from ‘Double Dharma’. It was a long stay and we are ready to be back on the boat!

Wine Tasting with Kellie and Sherry in Lodi

April and Jamie wine tasting

The Group at our last stop

Jamie lighting the candles on Carson (6) and Bailey's (4) Princess Cakes

Celebrating Landon's 4th Birthday

New Years Eve – Dec. 31, 2011



Bocci Ball with La Paz in the Background

 The weather was beautiful in La Paz, so we went across the bay to the Mogote with the crew of ‘Just a Minute’ for a game of Bocci Ball. Rudy had a great time running thru the water chasing anything that moved. By the time we got back to the boat we had 3 messages from family about Ricks Dad. It wasn’t good. He had been taken to the hospital by ambulance. Rick made plans to fly home Wednesday, Jan. 4.

Jack and Patrick Playing Bocci Ball

Pam and Laura on the Shipwreck

Since there wasn’t any more we could do, we continued with our plans and went to the movies at the new theater in town. The theater is very nice! We watched the new Sherlock Holmes in English. On the way back to the marina we stopped at our favorite hotdog and hamburger place, Gina’s. We ate too much as usual. Patrick and Laura came to the boat for cocktails and Rummykub. A great way to bring in the New Year.

The Gang in the Theater Lobby



Waiting for the Movie to Begin











The next day, Rick’s Dad had gotten worse and the doctor said he wasn’t sure he’d make it until Rick arrived. We decided he would be there awhile, so Rick bought tickets for me and Gizmo. We all leave Wednesday. We have 2 days to get the boat ready to leave it for a while. We’ll have friends in the marina check on it while we are gone. Steve and Marsha are driving us to Cabo to catch our flight. We arrive in San Francisco about 7:30 pm and won’t get to Sacramento until 10:00 pm. Rick won’t see his Dad until Thursday.

Holiday Parties – Dec. 20 – 27, 2011

Our first Christmas Party was Dec. 20^th at Sergio’s Casa, far outside of town in a very nice gated community. We celebrated with a traditional Posadas. This is an enactment of looking for lodging for St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary, going to Bethlehem. The hosts of the home are the innkeepers, and the guests, carrying small lit candles in their hands have to request lodging through singing a simple chant. The guests will ask for lodging three times and be denied. Only the third time will they be allowed in. Then comes the party with a Pinata and a punch called Ponche con Piquete. We also had wonderful tamales.

Our Hosts, Sergio and Lupita

Eric, Rick and Mike singing at the Posada

Rick swinging at the Pinata

The next night was Ana’s Holiday Party at Casa Ana. So many people from Alameda’s Gate 11 were there and also many other friends. The food was even better than last year, if that was possible.

Ana, Rick, Barb, Bill, Patrick and Laura at Casa Ana

The Gang playing Jingle Bells on their IPhones

Thursday we went out to the beach at Tecolote with Bill and Barb. The wind was blowing from the northerner, so we had lunch in the shelter of the Palapa Restaurant. On a calm day, this would be the perfect beach.

Rick and Pam at Tecolote Beach

Barb and Bill with the Ferry in the background

Christmas Eve was spent with friends at Casa Ana’s. We had a wonderful tamale dinner, than played a few games of Rummykub.

Dinner Table at Casa Ana

Pam and Mimi

Christmas Day we had Steve and Marsha and John over and tried to cook a rib roast. The meat was a little tough, but the meal was good??? It was a relaxing Christmas Day. We are now getting ready for the New Year.

Winter in La Paz – Nov. 28 – Dec 20, 2011

So much for quiet time, La Paz is one activity after another. So many friends and places to eat!!! We love it!!

We’ve been shopping at the market

Playing dominos at La Costa with Eric and Marilyn

Racing on Gitano with Pat

The boats behind us in the race

Marilyn and Pam hard at work during the race



Attending a Mexican Rodeo with Bill and Barb



Rick and Pam at the Rodeo

Part of the Rodeo

We’ve had many dinners at the new restaurant call ‘The Shack’. We love their blue cheese burgers!!

The Guys at The Shack

Laura and Pam at The Shack

We also have 2 new favorite fish taco places, Taco Fish La Paz and Estadia Tacos. Shrimp tacos, yummm.  

Estadia Street Tacos

We also had an elegant night of wine tasting in a new restaurant called Mia Amora. The food pairing was delicious.

11 of us wine tasting at Mia Amora

Steve and Marsha arrived in La Paz with their little dog Charlie. What a cuttie!

Marsha and Steve at La Costa

Crit, Steve and Charlie

Rick did get some work done. He installed another solar panel on the bimini. That makes 3 and gives us 405 watts of power.

Rick and Pat installing the new solar panel

Trips back to the States – Oct. 24 – Nov. 28, 2011

It has been awhile, but I am catching up on the blog. This month has been spent flying back and forth to the Bay Area. I left Oct 26 to attend my Dad’s memorial service. It was a sad occasion, but we celebrated his life with many family members and friends. I’ll miss you Dad.

Dean, Sherry, Mom, Dale, Pam and Aunt Mary

Me with my Daughters, Jamie and Jennie

And the Granddaughters, Maddi, Carson, Grace and Bailey

I stayed another week to spend time with my Mom and Aunts and also visit family. All my granddaughters dressed up for Halloween and Jamie wore a cat costume that my Mom had made for herself many years ago. They all looked so cute!



Kodi and Brett

Policewoman Maddi



Fairy Carson



Cowgirl Bailey

Cat Jamie and My Mom

Back in La Paz, Rick has been doing boat projects and visiting with friends. I returned on Saturday Nov 5, the same day my sister, brother and sister-in-laws flew into Cabo. Rick and I rented a car to drive to Cabo to see them for a few days. As we backed out of the marina to start the trip, we crashed into a truck and smashed the rental car.

Not a good start to the trip. But after arriving in Cabo we had a good time in the party town.

Pam, Sherry, Kellie, Helen and Dale in Cabo

Kellie at the Pueblo Bonito Resort

Helen and Dale at Tanga Tanga

Sherry and Kellie

By the middle of Nov. Rick’s Dad needed help around the house and getting to the doctors, so Rick flew home about the 17^th. He spent time helping his parents and had Thanksgiving with them. Gizmo and I stayed on the boat and spent time with friends. After one cancelled flight, Kevin took Rick to Fresno in the fog and he made it back to La Paz Nov. 28. It has been a busy month and we are looking forward to some quiet time.