On our way

     Next stop, Isla San Francisco. Just off the
tip of Isla Partida is a set of rocks called
Isla Islotes. This is a sea lion refuge.
The locals take tourists out to the rock in Pangas
and let them snorkel with the baby seals.
I have heard it is a blast but I have also heard
the seals are not tiny babies and they get quite
frisky.  They are also not a bit shy around
humans and if you get too close Ma or Pa
might get it in their head that you could hurt
their young and then........well.........I am not
going there!.
     All that was to justify why I didn't snorkel with
them.  Also I would have had to anchor
and the water was still COLD!  I asked Lisa
if she wanted to try it but she was content
to just look and take pictures.
  You could see the parents on the rocks.
There were several boats around as well as
the National Geographic Research and Tour boat.
Must be nice.  It costs $1000.00 a day to be
aboard that thing.  It followed us to Isla San
Francisco.
   

     We circled around in front of the Island
and got several  good looks.  We also
noted that the rocks above the Islands
were nesting grounds for Boobies and Frigate
Birds.  There were tons of them.  Their feet
really are blue. And those Frigate Birds are
BIG!

Boobies and Frigates

What a great Kayaking spot

After circling a few times we turned and
headed North. There was a little breeze
so we put up the Jib and had
a Lazy sail to San Francisco.

Sailing to Isla San Francisco

Lisa's Visit (cont)

   Well we arrived in Calita Partida fairly late so we decided that we needed to stay at least one more
day.  It is just impossible to go to an anchorage and
leave the next day.  At least for me it is these days.
We took the dinghy off to the "river" that separates
the two Islands (Partida on the left and Ispiratu Santos on the right) at high tide.  There were
a few fisherman there but they were men of few
words. We took our leave and headed back to the boat.  Lisa took another long kayak ride and I
hung at the boat. (only one Kayak).

   Next day was off the Ensanada Grande.  I hadn't been there yet and boy did I fall in love!!! We had our own private beach with clothes optional.
White sand, clear water and blue sky!
We were anchored alone and then a friends' boat was on  the radio and I said Hi, told them where
we were and we had Company.
This kind of company we love.  It was Marv
and Ardy from Odyssey.  Fellow Gate 11'ers.
They were on their way back  to La Paz
to take their friends back to the airport.
They were hosting a couple that had been friends
with them for at least 40 years. What a hoot.

JASDIP

Marve took a hike on the Island to find the Geo
Cache and too also, I think, plant one of his own. We wound up
having cocktails and snacks on Odyssey then hit
the sack with the sun.
    Next day was a dinghy ride to the next bay where
there is a Blue Footed Boobie Rookery.  We were

Sister in Paradise

rewarded by many Boobies on many nests. It was
delightful to watch them. Back to the boat and
beach for a swim and snacks.
   Ardy and Marve took off but We had just said hi to
Tug Tub as they had been hanging out in Ensanada Grande
as well.  They invited us over for cocktails and a "hot tub".
Yes I did say HOT TUB and I meant it.
They invented a floating hot tub for boaters and we
got to test it out.  It is a salt water hot tube with it's own
heater.  You tether it to the Mother Ship and heat it
up to 105 then take it off it's short tether and let it
loose on it's long tether. One only has to come back to the Mother Ship if one a) runs out of wine
or b) the tub needs to be heated again.
There was a full moon and the wine was
flowing It was a JASDIP evening and
Lisa and I couldn't ask for anything more.

Paul Preparing for out Hot Tub

 

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.