Back To San Francisco (briefly)

    Had to go back to SF to renew my drivers
licence.  Thought I could do it on line
but I guess I had been doing it that way
and now they wanted to see just how decrepit
I had gotten over those years.  The woman
behind the counter was fabulous but she
couldn't take Pesos or a credit card. I had
to go in search of an ATM. Got some
cash and headed back to the DMV and
she let me cut right in.  As I said she was a
Saint but she told me I had better wear my
glasses when driving as I had failed the

eye test miserably.
    Dave and Cati let me bunk with the
Tripster and it felt like home. Had a great
BBQ with Neil and Marion and group
over at Neils shop. Visited the Gang at
Gate 11 and off to Martinez to hang with
Joyce and Mark for a few days.
   Boy those guys can cook. I never get to
eat like that on a regular basis. It was so good to
see those guys.
       Apparently I had timed my trip to coincide with
                                                                                          the Strictly Sail Oakland Boat Show.  What a

Yoshi and Crit with my new scissors!!!

Ben and Casey

                                                                                            coupe.  I made a date with Ben to go to the Boat show on Friday.  I think I saw everyone else  I know
in the Bay area at the show over the next two days.
Got a few cool items and saw Casey again a fellow
cruiser who is waiting for his wife to retire to go with him.  Casey I hope Judy stops soon so you can enjoy this together more often.  The next day I headed over there with David Foy.  We had a good time and I
got to see most of the Passport folks. This was a whirlwind trip with lots of business added to it so I
tried to get the business out of the way first so I

Joy and Lynne and the new addition to the family.

                                                                                               
wouldn't have to fret as time got short.  I did see

my financial guy, got my teeth cleaned and a
crown re-glued. Told  him to use the good glue this
time. Picked up my mail and all the stuff I had ordered through Amazon, etc. and had mailed to
my address. I also had to do some shopping. There are always things we need down here that you just can't find here. I came with two suitcases one inside the other and went home with 2 suitcases filled to the brim and a rolling backpack full as well.
    While I was in Alameda I of course had to have my hair cut and highlighted.  I headed to Yoshi's
establishment.  It was great to see those folks and
of course he did a fabulous job on my hair.  I told him I was cutting hair in MX and it was coming out ok. But that I didn't have a good pair of scissors and asked him where he thought I could get a pair.  He Promptly went back to his office and care out with
a pair of really good scissors and gave them to me!!!
I wanted to at least buy them but he said "No!" they are a gift. I was thrilled.  Now it is time to cut my own hair and at leasts I have a good pair of scissors. Yoshi is the best!!
     Well it was then time to head home. I knew I would be back so I wasn't too sad.  I caught the
plane to San Jose Del Cabo then the bus to La Paz
                                                                                       where  Jasdip and my new bike were waiting
                                                                                       patiently for me.
                                                                                     

PS I tried to get these photos in order but I gave up so it is what it is.  Life is constantly changing and I am trying to embrace it.  I hope you are all able to do the same. Love, Critter

Isla San Francisco

   Had a great sail to Isla San Francisco (ISF).
Lazy womans sail (jib only).  When we arrived there
was only one other boat but a few pulled in.
The National Geographic boat was there
and their passengers were kayaking all over.
That evening they had a Beach Party complete
with tiki lights and beach chairs.  I think those
guys treat their passengers pretty well. And
well they should for $1,000.00 a Day.
  Just another beautiful beach.  The water was
still a bit cold but so inviting. I swam a bit

but my sister is a fish and 

cannot stay out of the

water long.

    We hung and the next
day headed up the
mountain to see what
we could see. We parked the dinghy
on the beach and left it anchored.
I don't have wheels so I have to
leave it in the water.  It was warm
and we had some problems
finding the path but all went well and
we climbed.  The vegetation here is

very different but equally as beautiful
in it's own way. We were headed
up to look for whales and whale spouts.
We were not disappointed.  They
could be seen off in the distance. We wanted to
get closer but it just didn't happen.
 

.

Jasdip at Anchor

Jasdip (just another swell day in paradise).

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?