I Was Lost But Now I'm Almost Found

Hi there! To all my dear friends and Family, I am
sorry about the long hiatus from my blog. As you
know I had a shoulder replacement a couple of
years ago and have been having a heck of a time
getting my strength back and stopping the pain.
Well....contrary to popular belief one can  teach an
old Dog new tricks.  It just takes longer!!!!
Sitting at my computer has caused a great deal of
pain and suffering for me. I realized this sometime
around Feb. this year.  I just couldn't find a comfortable
position.  Well I finally figured out that just like I had
learn to walk, stand, wash dishes, brush my teeth, brush my
hair (you get the picture) etc., etc., using proper body
position, I have to learn to sit at my computer in the proper
position as well (but first.....I have to experiment enough to FIND it). I have not quite gotten it down yet but
it is getting better.  I am really looking forward to starting it up
again especially if it doesn't hurt. So thanks for your Patience
and don't give up on me. I am alive and it is gorgeous here and
I can hardly wait to share what I have been up to with you.
I just need another week or so of practice. Bad habits die HARD!!!
But they do die. I think I left off at my little sis's visit so hopefully

tune in soon for more exciting adventures (Not.....) of Crit and
her trusty vessel Jasdip.

Back to La Paz

We took the mountain road back to La Paz.
Stopped in a beautiful village on the way and
had shrimp tacos.  Very good! We were of course
the only folks in the restaurant and she made us
a wonderful meal. This is us with happy thoughts
and full bellies.
   The scenery was beautiful and we tried to get
to Cabo Pulmo to check it out. It is also one of
the marine sanctuaries on the Pacific side.  We
had no map so we were winging it.  We finally
found the road to Cabo Pulmo.  It was dirt and
it was probably an  hour to the town then back
to the highway.  Unfortunately we elected to

continue on to
La Paz to arrive just at or before sunset.
    We made it just in time and relaxed with a
glass of wine and watched her set.  JASDIP!
    In the next couple of days we did a great
deal of touring La Paz, tasting great coffee,
tasting great food and a lot of procuring for
our trip to the Islands.
     We practiced our Spanish.  Actually Lisa is very
good at it and a few more months and she would be
speaking like a native.
   We wandered down to El Centro and said a prayer for Mom and all of out lost and still living
relatives (Mother would be happy) at the
Cathedral.  Hopped across the street and
sang in the Gazebo in the Square.  Did you know
that if you stand right in the center of the Gazebo
and it is built correctly the acoustics are GREAT!
    We also went to the local big Mercado.
Mercado Bravo.  It is a great place to get
seafood produce and a great lunch for
not much money. We had a delicious chili
rellano and some tamarind juice. Never had it
before .  Pretty good. The vender's at the Market

take such pride in displaying their wares.  It is akin
to art work in  my opinion. We wandered, admiring
all the stalls.

  I think it was Saturday so we went to find the
Saturday Organic Farmers Market. We
succeeded and procured more great food
for our voyage. It was across the street from one
of my favorite dining places.
  El Corazone!  We stopped just to see the
courtyard and say hi to Vespar, one of the
fine waiters at the place.




   I think the sign says "The unassuming (or happy) Heart
has room for everyone".

However there may be times when it is
hard to get a seat there.
Apparently this fellow had to wait a bit
too long in the waiting room.

 




   We had been trying to get to Ballandra Beach
before sunset for a couple of days and
we just couldn't seem to make it. However we
finally did.  Close though and the clouds
were lurking so the beach wasn't quite as
colorful as it can be.  It was also a bit
cold. Nevertheless it was still a fantastic
place.  This balancing rock has always
been a landmark for the area. A few years
ago they actually cemented it because they saw that  it was not going to be around for much longer if they didn't. While walking on the beach I saw
this white blotch on the rock from
a distance and thought someone had
been painting on the rocks but on
closer inspection it was a paper mache mask
that someone had placed on the rock.
Very artistic.
    Lisa, being from Oregon, hardly ever got cold.
I on the other hand, was always cold
those first few days she was here.
It doesn't take long to get acclimatized
to this warmth.  We wandered around the
whole bay. We spied (according to Lisa)
some oyster catchers. Lots of rocks and shells.
I swear she never did meet
a shell or a rock that she didn't want
to take home with her.  She plans to
put them into her gardens around the
house and some of then will probably
wind up in her rock steps for the back
porch that she is starting to build.




Oyster catchers.  Pretty cute. Guess I
should have blown them up. Too late now.

  While on the beach we met these two
"kids".  Both engineers in electrical and
computer science, who were visiting from
Guadalajara for the weekend.  Very nice folks
and we told them we were headed
to Tecolote for some Chocolate Clams and
a drink.  They asked if they could tag along
and we had a great visit in the restaurant along with
the food.  Turns out that this woman, Carla,
had to push and push to get to go to
school for her engineering degree. Of course her
mother was proud after the fact but
now Carla says she is being pushed to get
married and have kids.  She just doesn't
want that for herself right now. I told her I
had no kids and now no husband and
that you can take care of yourself and
have a very full life as long as you are
doing what you want to do.  She says she will go
home fortified in the knowledge that she really
isn't the only one and that it can be done.  It
must have been very hard in here culture to do the
things she has already done and to continue
doing those things that she want's to do.  I wish
her the best of luck, She has what it takes that's
for sure! 
  The next day was a trip to Costa Baja Marina.
I have been wanting to get out there for a
long time and since I had a rental car We took advantage of it.  We checked out the marina and
I got some info about the summer situation.
Then of course we were thirsty and hungry
and we passed this lovely Italian waterside
cafe.  They had great wine and pretty good
Pizza.  We both  liked the wine and the
atmosphere.

  Well finally it was Monday and the
weather was fully cooperating so we set sail.
It was JASDIP!  Headed over to
Caleta Partida.  A lovely bay right between
Ilsa Ispiritu Santos and Partida.  The first thing
Lisa did was hop in the Kayak and take a spin.
I had a few chores to do and only one
Kayak so I proceeded to get the dinghy and
motor down for our road trips.
  It was a beautiful place, great company, great weather, good food and good wine.  What's not to like?

Preparations for and Lisa's Arrival

Hot tub and infinity pool and wine

Most of the week before Lisa's arrival I had
Bronchitis and was trying to recover. Luckily
I did.  Just in time to welcome two wonderful
Friends from Colorado.  They had been in
San Jose Del Cabo (SJC)  staying just above
the Marina where Jasdip and I spent a couple of weeks. They were staying in one of Klaudia's
client's home.  When I was well on Monday, she and Jane drove to La Paz for a visit. We had a great time and of course they wanted margaritas so guess where we
wound up?  La Costa.  The BEST margaritas in
Mexico.  Good food too.

The folks here are starting to Love me!I feel so welcome!

  We sat in the sand and ate, laughed and drank.
Then the girls took off back to SJC.
  Tuesday I picked up a rental car to take to
SJC the next day and fetch Lisa.  I was a bit nervous
at first driving in MX but I hate being afraid of anything so I persevered.  I now don't mind it and actually rather like it (except at night).
  The rest of that day I was able to do errands
and best of all...grocery shopping with
no one waiting for me.  I must have spent
3 hours in Chedraui.  It was a gift.  I bumped into
Kathy on Wild Rose and offered her a ride home
with her groceries as long as she had no  time
frame.  We finished up and wound up at

Lisa enjpying the sunset from the rooftop deck

El Corazon for a snack and a glas of wine.
  Back to our respective boats.  I was still
getting ready for my company.
  Next morning I left in plenty of time and sat
at Terminal One waiting. There was no sign of a
flight from Los Angeles.I talked to a woman there
who explained that if it was Alaska that she might
be coming in at Terminal Two.  Terminal Two????
Didn't even know there was a Terminal Two.
Hightailed it to Terminal Two and low and
behold there was the flight from LA.  Thirty minutes
later Lis came out through customs! After the
reunion we decided it was too late to
drive back to La Paz so we decended on


the home Klaudia and Jane were staying in  (We were actually invited).
   Wow we felt we had just landed in Conde Naste
Travel Mag.  We sat in the hot tub,drank wine, watched the sunset, swam in the infinity pool
we cooked ourselves a Five Star Meal.
What is not to like!  It was the perfect start
to a two week visit.

Our Fantastic Dinner. Girlfriends!
   This was Jane's "room".  It is really a separate
casita with a courtyard.

It was with much difficulty that we pried ourselves
out the door and home.

Famous (Infamous) in Mazatlan

Funny....I just got a note from our Captain on Outrider to inform me that we were finally discovered
while having Shrimp at Bruja's.  Check out the URL then go to page 87. Will wonders never cease!
www.fasesmagazine.com/revista/fases25/revista.html  

Long Time

    To Mazatlan!  On Outrider a Westsail 42.
To my right is the Ship's Mascot Perkins.
He took his watches only when there was food
involved.  By the time we made it to
Mazatlan he actually let me pet him.
  Then there was the Captain and the Admiral.
Two great new friends from Marina
Palmira. They were my neighbors
and they were great.  Jeff is quite the
raconteur, a great Captain and knows a heck of a lot about boats and other things too.  Ann is a great musician, artist, photographer and writer
(published even). Plus a great, caring fun loving new friend that I do miss.
  Then there is Ken.  Well...Ken if you are
reading this  I am just kidding.  We had a great time
sharing the Saloon for two weeks.  He put up with my snoring until I finally gave him a pair of
earplugs. All in all it was a great time and a
great bunch of folks.
  On the trip over we saw lots of turtles and other
creatures of the sea. The turtles could often be
recognized by the Birds on their backs seemingly
sitting on a rock.  The birds rested on the backs
of the turtles
that had surfaced for air and sun.
   It was on the crossing that we celebrated Ken's
birthday.  It was a surprise and he had to bring
his own cheesecake.  Candles were involved
and singing and only one beer cause it was
during our crossing.  Indeed we did make up for it once we arrived in Mazatlan!
   When we arrived it was foggy and not a comfortable tide for Jeff to go in past the
breakwater so we anchored near one of the
Islands just off the City where it just so happens
the sun was shining. I think it was the only
place there was sun.  Maz was engulfed in fog for several days.  Very odd.  Thought I had left San Francisco.

   We went to the Giant Mercado in Mazatlan.
Boy what an experience.  Note the meat
stall to the right.  I think the pig whose nose
is sticking up from the cooler in the middle
is not too happy.  The folks use every part of
the animals here and don't waste any part.
It is really amazing to see the entire cow and
watch them cut the specific piece asked for from
animal.  I think I am on my way to vegetarianism.
I thought so before but I think it is  coming again.
It would take hours to cruise the entire market.
I lost everyone and also wound up buying the
coolest pants.  Probably paid too much but the
woman was an amazing saleswoman
and I could not refuse her.
   The next two pictures are out of order,  The bottom one is a typical square in Mazatlan.Or for that matter
in any city here.  Maz has many and they are all quite
pretty.  The mask is from a group of families who have formed a  Co-op of artists and have a gallery in
Mazatlan.  This is from Nidart.  I wasn't going to buy it only take a picture but I couldn't help myself.
It is now hanging on Jasdip.  It is a goatskin Masquerade Party Mask.  I fell in love with it.
This is actually the last picture my camera took.
The lense did not take another one again.
The camera is now on it's way back to the
factory hopefully to be repaired.  It was
still under warranty so I have my fingers
crossed.
     Ken and I were supposed to catch the ferry
back to La Paz.  It has been running for oh....
about 20 years or so.  What we didn't know
was that while we were crossing the Sea of Cortez
they decided to change the ferry.  It no longer left
from Mazatlan.  Ken and I tried everything and
we finally decided to take VivoAerobus (a plane)
back.  It only flies Mon and Fri so we got tickets and
informed the Captain and the Admiral that they were
stuck with us for another 4 days whether they liked it or not.  They were great and we continued to have a wonderful time in  Mazatlan with out great friends.

A Day In The Life

I covet this bike

  Well it has quieted down here a great
deal. Art and Jaye of Arione have been
nice enough to let me borrow one
of their folding bicycles.  They have
really cool ones.  I have been having a
great time riding around town and
getting to know La Paz. It just doesn't
seem very big when you have a bike
but very big when you
are walking.

Too Fun

Quanto Questa?

My feet have always
been the pits so I have have been trying
to break them in to walking and many
blisters, shoes and moleskin by the yard I am
now able to walk quite a bit.  Funny.......it
was never about the exercise I love that.
It was always about my feet hurting.
   On one of my outings the other day
I found this beautiful house with the
most beautiful stained glass window.
I executed an immediate U turn (it wasn't
pretty) in front of about 8 Mexican
construction workers taking a break

Ever Present Lovelies

and almost ran into them.  I was laughing
and making noises and they were just laughing
and shaking their heads. "Crazy Gringo
Lady".  We all smiled and I managed not
to hurt myself or any of them and got a few
pictures to boot.  On that same ride I
found a great little coffee shop that has
latte's, espresso and also organic medium
roast coffee beans from Veracruz.  I
bought some to try and it is the best I have
found in Mexico!  I am so happy because
Lisa and I DO LOVE OUR COFFEE!
 
  Did I mention that the Norther has left us
and it is around 80 and sunny again?  I was
getting worried about the weather for when

Might even be warm enough to get in.

Lisa visits but I now know that it comes
and goes and it will probably
be very nice when she gets here in Feb.
   Meanwhile....back at the "ranch" I checked
out the pool again and this time I found
a hot tub!  Will wonders never cease.
It is such a beautiful Grotto like affair.
There is also a huge bird cage with parakeets
galore and even a few Java Temple birds.
Haven't seen one of them since I owned one
when I was 7.

I followed the sounds

   I had been told that some of the
ladies on the docks get together for
coffee every Wed. I decided I would head up
and say hi and meet them.  When I got
there they were playing dominoes so I
sat and met everyone, had a bit of
coffee and headed back to the boat.
Very nice folks but the coffee is much
better on Jasdip except for the fact
that you don't have to make it
yourself.

Ladies Coffee

  

 

Post Christmas

Sunrise

Oralia and Ana

Christmas on the Beach

Another Group Feast

 Christmas day
 we all piled into Steve and
Ana's two cars and headed to the
beach. Our first stop was Balandra which
is a very beautiful place.  It was also a very
popular place and was packed.
So we drove down the road to Tecolote.
Another beach out towards the Islands in
the Sea of Cortez  east of La Paz.  Tecolote
has a view of Isla Espiritu Santo. It was a
beautiful day and there was very little wind.
I had my first Chocolate Clam!  Boy those
critters are good. As usual there was laughter,
beers, a bit of wine and some getting
wet.
   Headed home for a delicious filet minion roast
Doug cooked. And a gift swapping.  I must
say I was once again not prepared!  I am
not good at that.  Carla did receive an
unusual but handy Gift from Karen which will
come in handy this summer I am sure.  It is
a decorative Ice pack to be worn in the
cleavage for keeping one "cool as a cucumber".



Carla modeled it but I hesitated and then my opportunity was gone.












  La Costa is one of our favorite hang outs.
The food is good and the margaritas are GREAT!
Even I like them!! And soooooo consistent.
They were so good that those guys
convinced me to take Jasdip to the Islands
for New Years. We packed up food and drink
and Hotel California, Odyssey, Coral Rose
and Jasdip headed out.
    The first night I anchored a bit out in the
middle of the bay so we were forced to suffer a bit of wave action that night.
Next morning I moved and tucked in closer to the
Shore so New Years Eve was windy but not

New Years Day

  bouncy.  We did the "Chicken Dance" on the beach to bring in the new year and motored home.
My jib still wasn't fixed.
   The boat is getting back together and things are getting done.  There were a several days of
rather cool cloudy weather and I was getting
worried but the sun has returned and all is
well with the world.
   My jib is fixed and I will put it up as soon as the wind stops blowing. It has been blowing about
20knots today in the marina and there are white caps
and breaking waves out in the Bay.

Caleta Partida

  I was sorry to see Karen and Tim leave.  We had

such a good time.  It was like old times at Gate
11.
   Now it is a New Year and back to boat projects.
More about those later.