Isla San Francisco – April 17-20, 2011

We have heard how beautiful this anchorage is and we agree. The water is so clear you can see the boats shadow on the bottom! It is a circular bay with white sandy beaches all the way around it.

Settting the Anchor

We went to shore and climbed the hill for a view down into the bay. We could also see down the other side which was very steep, and out into the sea. We spent time with ‘Just a Minute’ before they headed back to La Paz with engine problems. We met up with Miss Teak, Second Kiss and Midnight Sun. Our last night here, Full Shell arrived from a long rough passage across the sea. We had them over for dinner, then they turned in early for some much needed sleep.



Part way up the hill, looking down into the bay



The drop off on the other side.

Rick at the Top

As high as Pam would go.

Isla San Francisco Bay from the Top of the hill.

After 3 nights in this beautiful bay it was time to move on. Our next stop is San Evaristo.

Ensenada Grande - April 16, 2011

We have broken away from La Paz once again. It is hard to leave, but we plan to return in November for a few months. Our plans are to spend the summer up in the Sea of Cortez if we can stand the heat. It should be great swimming and diving. We will fly home for a month in July, leaving the boat in La Paz or San Carlos, then return to the sea.

Our first stop out of La Paz is Ensenada Grande. It is the northern most bay on Isla Partida with rocky hills and white sand beaches. We have been here before, but it is a great anchorage from north and south winds. That evening we went to Miss Teak (Katy and Chip) for cocktails with Second Kiss (Diane and John). The next morning, El Tiburon showed up and took Sparky for a run. We pulled up anchor and headed for Isla San Francisco, a 3 hour trip.

The Moon over Ensenada Grande

Sarah, Darrell and Sparky

Made it Back to La Paz – March 31 - April 16, 2011

We actually got up at 2:30 in the morning and left by 3am!! Maybe because we went to sleep at 7pm after crossing the sea all night and having a great meal. Anyway, we rattled up the chain and headed north to La Paz. We arrived at our slip in Marina de La Paz about 1:00 in the afternoon. It is good to be back.

Ana, Steve and Rick
We miss you Steve.

We settled in and washed the boat, then headed over to see Ana at Casa Ana. Steve, our good friend and Ana’s husband passed away in his sleep a little over a week ago. Steve was one of a kind and will be missed. Rick swapped e-mails almost daily with Steve.  The jokes they shared and the world problems they solved will leave a void that can’t be filled.  We visited with Ana and her sister Victoria, Cousin Oralia and Carolina. It was good to see them again. Ana and Victoria would be leaving in a few days to drive back to the bay area, so Rick helped them check out the car and get ready to go. That night we made it to the hamburger lady on Abasolo. She makes the best street hot dogs. Yum.

Diana singing

Wednesday night, our favorite band plays at Perico Marinaro. We went with a group of people and listened to Diana sing.

Sailing on 'Gitana'

La Paz Bay Fest started on Thursday and goes through Sunday. Thursday was the sailboat race and Rick and I crewed on Pat’s boat ‘Gitana’. We had a good start and Pat took the inside track hoping to get better wind. It worked until we turned the corner near Costa Baja to head down the final channel where the wind died to nothing. After sitting in one spot for about ½ hour, a wisp of wind picked up and we threw up the spinnaker. We passed one boat without a spinnaker and came close to catching the Swan, a very fast boat. A catamaran was close behind us, but we moved in front of him so he couldn’t pass us. Not sure if that is fair, but what do I know?? We came in second overall and won’t know the adjusted places until Sunday. It was great to race, but I’m glad we were not on our boat. Maybe someday we will race her, but right now she is too heavy.

Pat with the Spinnaker on 'Gitana'

The next day at Bay Fest, we participated in the Dart Tournament and the Mexican Train Domino Tournament. Rick did very good in Darts. He made it to the semi-finalists. I forfeited my Dart game because it was time the Domino Tournament. I came in first at my table with a decent score. This score gets added to the next days game.

Rick playing Darts

Oralia and Pam, ready for Dominos

Sunset in La Paz Marina

Carolina, Pam, Rick, Oralia and John

This was my birthday, so we had a very nice dinner at Palazzo’s with John, Oralia and Carolina. It was a good end to a great day.

Overnight to Muertos – March 29-31, 2011

6:00am was high tide, so we left Mazatlan at 6:30 for a 32 hour crossing to Muertos. Two other boats were leaving at the same time, so we buddy boated across. It is nice to have someone to talk to on the radio during lonely night watches. I watched the moon come up about 3:00am. It was a beautiful calm night. Probably the best night sail we have had so far.

We arrived in Muertos about 2:30pm, had a nice BBQ steak and potato dinner, played a few games of Rummykube and went to bed. We will leave about 3am to get up to La Paz.

Sunset at Muertos

A Short Stop in Mazatlan – March 26-29, 2011

Sunset on the way to Mazatlan

The plan was to sail about 12 hours to San Blas, but the seas were smooth and the wind was calm so we continued 32 hours overnight to Mazatlan. We had already been to San Blas and it was buggy, so we didn’t mind missing it. We arrived at El Cid in Mazatlan about 2:30 Sunday afternoon. We met up with Joyce and Scott from ‘Life is Good’ for dinner. Then went to bed!

The next day Rick washed the boat, transferred fuel and we did a little shopping. Later that evening we went to a nice dinner on the beach at Diego’s with Joyce and Scott and Steve and his wife from Liquid8. Then on to Tres Amigos for drinks and to listen to the band. We didn’t stay out too late, because we were leaving to cross the sea first thing in the morning.

'Life is Good', 'Liquid8' and 'Hotel California' at Diego's

Sunset view from Diego's

Back in La Cruz – March 15-26, 2011

We left Paradise on Tuesday, March 15 for La Cruz. We pulled in to the slip and were right next to Dragons Toy. We plan to stay here for about a week while the stack pack is delivered and installed. It may take longer than that since part of it is coming from the states, but we can hope.

Dinner at Taco's on the Street with Steve and Nona

While we were here we went to all the old familiar restaurants and a few hadn’t been to like, Tacos on the Street, Sandras, Palapa on the Beach and Roberto’s Xocolatl. All were good and we went back a few times to Tacos on the Street! Of course we couldn’t miss the Sunday Market or the ice cream store in town. And since life can’t be all fun, we took a few classes while we were here. Monday night was the Salsa Dance Class and Wednesday afternoon was the Sushi Making Class. Life is rough.

Rick taking Salsa Lessons



Sushi Class - Gail and Sarah with Chef Amy
















We did have some real work to do. We took down the Mainsail and had it re-stitched and the Dutchman system removed. We had the stainless cleaned. Next we traveled by bus to the airport to pick up the new stack pack, which is a cover for the Mainsail that stays on the boom. After that was installed, we waited for the battens that go in the sides of the stack pack to be delivered by truck from San Diego.

Having the Stainless cleaned

Installing the Stack Pack

The New Stack Pack

Cocktails on the beach in Yelapa

On Thursday, the 24th, we took 3 buses and a water taxi across the bay to Yelapa with Nona and Steve. What a great little beach with a waterfall on the back side of the town. We had cocktails and lunch, then walked to the falls. The water was cold, but after traveling all the way here, Nona and I had to get under the falls. The saying about Yalapa, “A palapa in Yelapa is better than a condo in Redondo” is definitely true.

Lunch in Yelapa with Steve and Nona

Yelapa.......ahhhh

Under the Falls in Yelapa

It was a lot of coordinating but the battens finally showed up on Friday, March 25. We left La Cruz the next morning, heading for San Blas.

Final Race Day - March 12, 2011

Saturday, we went out racing on Full Shell again. Kellie came with us this time. What an exciting race! We were so close to 3 other boats for the start if looked like we could touch them. This race was longer and faster. Us girls were ‘rail meat’ or the term we like better, ‘deck candy’. And we didn’t spill our alcohol!
 

Rick, ready to race

 
 

This time, the boats were close!

 
 

Deck Candy

 
 

Racer Kellie

 

Marilyn while we were heeled

 
 

Dena serving snacks

 
 

Captain Eric

 

Skipper Dale

 
 
 
 

This is Racing - Pam

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

As we were entering the harbor, we saw ‘Exuma’ leaving. What a gorgeous boat.

Marilyn with 'Exuma' Leaving

Sunday was a sad day, the kids were leaving. It was such a short visit, but I’m glad I got to see them. We went to breakfast near the beach and they left for the airport at noon. We’ll stay here a few more days, then head back to La Cruz to get a new stack pack put on the boat before we head north into the Sea of Cortez.

Kellie

Jennie and Kevin on the last morning

Kodi, ready to leave

Tsunami at Paradise Village- March 11, 2011

Since we had moved to the slip in front of the harbor entrance, we had a front row spot to watch for the tsunami. We thought about taking the boat out into the bay, just in case there was a big wave or surge. The Harbor Master and Tom on ‘Dragons Toy’ told Rick to stay in the marina and add extra lines and fenders. About 1:00pm the water started to surge in and out. Around 3:00 it got pretty strong. The yacht in front of us, ‘Exuma’ took the surge on it’s side, so they put a lot of huge fenders out. A few of them lost air or popped. It did take out a few boards on that side of the dock, but no major damage. The ports were closed, so any of the boats that went out had to stay out over night. Quite a few of the racing boats left without their anchors (this is to make the boat lighter for the race). I felt bad for them, they had to sail or drive around all night. The marina still had surge coming in and out the next day.

Kodi on the Bow

Exuma with all the fenders

Pam and Kellie during the Tsunami