Just another day on the Sea of Cortez

There have been fewer whales this year than last, but Dottie and Pauline enjoyed the sea life we did see---dolphin, sea lions, and the ubiquitous manta rays...you know, the ones that leap into the air, do flips that they'd earn a rating of 10 at the Olympics, and slap back down into the water. Can anyone explain just what they are doing? And why sometimes they are flying solo and sometimes there are dozens of rays all around?

The frigate birds are just beginning to hatch their young at the rookery in the mangroves at Bahia San Gabriel...we drifted by in the dinghy and watched them...cute little white balls (actually about the size of a small volleyball!) of fluff!

Calm weather and smooth seas made for a fine week away from the marina. The winds were consistent, allowing for some nice sailing. Out on the sea, motor off, it is amazingly tranquil.

Pauline and Dottie

Bougainvillea beauties!

Two years ago, Pauline Flynn and Dottie Eberly joined us in Banderas Bay (Puerto Vallarta) for a week or so sailing on Odyssey. They were wonderful guests!

This year we were happy to have them back for another week in La Paz on the Baja peninsula. We much prefer the Baja to the mainland (the water is cleaner, towns are less crowded, the air is cooler and less humid, there are fewer bugs [no crocodiles], and snorkeling is spectacular). La Paz is a favorite city, so we based ourselves here for the winter, looking forward to showing guests "the islands" to the north.

Dottie at the helm, on our way to Isla Partida and Isla Espiritu Santo. We anchored in Bahia San Gabriel, took the dinghy past the frigate bird rookery, tried to snorkel the coral reef (Pauline scratched her knees badly), and spent a couple of hours just walking the beach...the pace was slow enough for us to notice the tiny snails and olives making their way through the sand at low tide.

The thing you need to know about these two women is that they are exceptional conversationalists...we talked and talked...about so many fascinating things. Thanks for the wonderful memories, Dottie and Pauline!

Fish and seafood (mariscos) for sale at the local super market. This display is a far cry from the fish stalls at the open market downtown. Both have their charm...and both have great fish!

Banderas Bay Regatta

Marv went to Banderas Bay on Talion, joining Patsy Verhoeven for the fourth year as crew during the Banderas Bay Regatta. They had good wind, good weather, and (as usual) were the best looking boat on the water. Here Patsy is flying one of her many spinnakers...yellow, green and red...

Another year (the 4th) racing on Talion at the Banderas Bay Regatta.

Ardy held down the boat in La Paz.