Bahia de los Muertos

La Ensenada de Los Muertos has become one of our favorite anchorages. It is a lovely cove in a broad bay. Our first time there, we were exhausted from several days of tacking into 25 knot north winds, so we slept well. This time we were tired from crossing the Sea of Cortez (from San Blas), and again, we slept well. On this visit, we discovered the "Centro de Trenes," supposed to be the largest train collection in Mexico. Next time, we plan to don snorkeling gear and investigate the coral reefs just off the beach.

San Blas

La Iglesia de Marineros (The Church of Sailors) sits atop the hill overlooking San Blas. It is commemorated in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's last poem, The Bells of San Blas and has become an historical site for visitors from around the world. A few meters further up the hill, the city of San Blas has created and maintains a museum and cultural center...there's a wonderful view to the flatlands below...estuaries and banana and coconut plantations.

Fishing in San Blas

We weren't able to find the marina in San Blas, but the shrimp boat dock was fascinating. The walk through dusty streets to get there took us by small restaurants, modest adobe homes, dangling bougeanvillea, and sleepy dogs, all enveloped in the sharp, tangy smells of fish and the sea.

Up anchor

Our friend Jeff says that "anchor chain doesn't do any good if it's in the anchor locker" so we put out at least a 7-to-1 and sometimes a 10-to-1 ratio (chain to depth). That means hauling in 150-200+ feet of chain when it's time to get underway. It's almost the only exercise we get on passages that have little or no wind, and gives one a new respect for the call "Anchors aweigh*!"

(*Originally a part of the football fight song written for the 1906 game between Navy and Army...Navy won 10-0.)

Tallulah

Crosby, Stills, and Nash were right: "If you can't be with the one you love, honey, love the one you're with."




New grandparents are always looking for babies to love, and it is so easy to do with Tallulah.



Don't worry, Miles, you are still the best of the best and remain first in our hearts!

Sea Wolf

Sea Wolf is a 28-foot wooden sail boat with traditional gaff rig, a cozy cabin, and an aloof sea cat. She is a "low-tech" vessel and has no motor or head. Home to Jessie, Adam and Tallulah (and a welcome spot for Barra guests), Sea Wolf will carry the family safely across the Pacific sometime later this spring.

Miriam's

The refrigerator on the boat goes unopened; the avocadoes purchased at last week’s market ripen and wither; the dishes are washed only every other day. Eating out in Barra de Navidad and Melaque is an experience not to be missed. Miriam.com tantalizes with fresh, home-made tortillas and savory enchiladas of mushrooms, beef, chicken, frijoles, cheese. We eat birria (rich stewed goat meat) in the public market in Melaque, wrapped in hot, hot hand-made tortillas, tortillas so fresh from the pan they can be opened and filled with meat that melts in your mouth. Life is good.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa

What a great birthday present!!

Barra de Navidad

The entrance to Barra de Navidad is narrow, but it leads to a warm, quiet, calm anchorage...a real treat after rolling and tossing in the bays of Ipala and Chamela further north. We are here for a week or so, visiting with Adam Stone, Jessie Adams, and their 6-month-old daughter, Tallulah, who live aboard Sea Wolf. Check their blog for a real treat! There are blogs and then there is the Path of the Blazing Sarong.

Banderas Bay Regatta

A broken award trophy detracts little from the thrill of victory. Race organizers promise Patsy a new one.

Portland Rules!! Banderas Bay Regatta

Talion and its Portland-based crew (all of us!), Marv, Ardy, Patsy, Tim, Susan, and Craig, take first place in class. Check out the results

Banderas Bay Regatta

The Banderas Bay Regatta is actually two competitions: the "serious" boats with professional crews, sponsorship, and histories who are racing in the MEXORC long distance fleet; and the people who are racing their home...cruisers like us. On day two of the races, Patsy baked a chicken in her galley oven as we went through the course. We finished, went back to the marina, cleaned up the boat and ourselves a bit, and settled down to a delicious dinner!

Banderas Bay Regatta

Marv joins on as crew, getting a chance to use the sailing gloves again. He enjoyed himself immensely!!




Patsy, Tim, and Craig, Talion crew, thoughtfully prepare for the 2008 Banderas Bay, three day regatta. Attention to detail makes for successful sailors.





Skipper Patsy, in full Viking regalia! Be worried, fleet, be very worried.

Banderas Bay

So, what are YOU looking at?!






As we left the Tres Marietas, this yellow-footed booby joined us for an hour, balancing on the end of the boom and enjoying the ride.

Sailing with Scott and Maripaz

Three days of sailing...Maripaz fixed wonderful meals...we all enjoyed gentle breezes and saw whales (even though far away)...slept (fitfully at times...the boat does make creaky sounds and the water laps on the hull) in anchorages off Punta de Mita and La Cruz...a brief but memorable "Odyssey."





Scott is a natural sailor, taking the helm for hours in the breezes of Banderas Bay. Yes, the jib is up...though the mainsail is not!

March 1st, 2008

Opening ceremonies for Banderas Bay Race Week include a spectacular performance of Baile Folklorico, dances from many different areas of Mexico.



We are in Puerto Vallarta where the celebration for Banderas Bay Race Week is beginning...will meet our friends, Scott and Maripaz, tomorrow for a three day trip in Banderas Bay.