Update after my Utah Visit and Recent Happenings!

4/8/2010
Scott worked on the Whisker Pole installation and finished it today, can’t wait to use it!!!! I worked on blog and such internet items. Nice day, wind has calmed down. It’s been pretty windy last few days.


4/7/2010 Wednesday
We put our bikes together (wheels and peddles back on) and loaded them onto our poor little dinghy and went to the dock and unloaded them. Then, we rode into town and bought a book about the “Sea of Cortez” . Then we rode to the office for the islands conservation to get our annual pass card, we already had gone there and then went to bank to pay for it and went back again with receipt (they do this so there isn’t people taking the cash, embezzlement was common in most government and state offices before this practice was implemented) they could only give us a paper before, but now they have the little cards you put in your wallet. So this was our third trip there and it is way up in town but good exercise. We got breakfast at a great cheap little place and got our propane bottle filled and picked up our fresh laundry. We were busy busy today.

The stop signs in Mexico are not the same as in the U.S. because people only tap their brakes, no one really stops unless there is someone coming the other way. It is hilarious but that is how they do it. We’d all get tickets back home but that is just the Mexican way here. Surprisingly, though, I haven’t witnessed any accidents!!!

Later had dinner with Jason and Christy from the boat “Hello World”, they are originally from Seattle, WA area and are returning to work for a couple years then return to the cruising life. They shared tips about the “Sea of Cortez” with us and another couple they know, Luke and Meagan from the boat “Saphire”, who are from Bend, OR area. It was a fun and interesting evening as they told us where to go and what we could do in different anchorage areas. We enjoyed wonderful burgers and jalapeño poppers to die for!!!! Of course a margarita and beer as well to wash it down.

4/6/2010 Tuesday

We woke up and had coffee and listened to the morning VHF radio channel 22 cruisers net. They keep us all connected and informed about a myriad of topics and it is a kind of entertainment almost. Scott tried to put the track up for the used whisker pole he got for a steal, it helps keep the Genoa sail puffed out and not flap in high seas and such and helps your speed greatly, so it’s awesome to finally have one. He broke a drill bit and had to go into town and get some parts. Bummer, that’s how it goes though eh? Of course I sent our built up laundry and trash in with him, hee hee. As I was cooking this morning I ran out of propane in one tank, so it’s time to fill it up too. Always lots to do to be self-sufficient (at least partly while at sea). We also need to fill up water while we’re here. That’s a biggie!
Scott helped rescue a runaway dinghy that broke loose in the crazy wind we are having today. Another guy, Jason, had got it but it had no rope and he was having a heck of a time bringing it back to his boat and then must have run out of gas, so Scott went out and pulled both dinghys back to Jason’s boat, “Hello World”.

4/5/2010 Monday
We motored out of our anchorage of Ensanada Grande and went to the Los Islotes island with the seal lions. We filmed them but did not get in the water as they sometimes nip at you and can break through your wetsuit so we decided against it but enjoyed seeing them. We will try again when we're with other people to be safer, although I'm sure we'd be fine. We sailed back and the wind was great, 10-15 knots and made for a broadreach (the angle of wind vs. the boat/sail side) and we made a record of half speed 7 knots. For our boat that is cooking and we were very happy with her (the boat). It was a beautiful day and we came back to La Paz as we need to wait for our wind generator to show up after being repaired and my contacts that Shannon is sending me, as they didn’t have them in stock when I was in Utah. They are a new bifocal kind that I can see far away and close up. Cool!!!! Now when we sail I can forget putting my reading glasses on and off when I need to see the Nav station up close then scan the seas for ships and other possible hazards. I’m excited about these. I’d love laser on my eyes but for now this is the next best thing I think. Yeah!!!!

4/4/2010 Sunday
We had yummy omelets for breakfast with our usual coffee and then I decided to shine the metal brightwork on the front of the boat. The anchor brings up salt water and sometimes seaweed bits and mud/sand. The saltwater had dried as well as the mud and seaweed and I had to scrub, scrub, scrub and use cleaners and then after finally removing the debris I had to use a fiberglass bleach to remove the rust that had built up around the stanchions (supports) where they connect to the deck. It now looks so shiny and clean, the windlass (stainless steel machine/tool) that brings up the anchor chain is gleaming like new again. Scott was very happy. We then motored out in the afternoon in the dinghy with our computer to see if we could get internet so Scott could call his kids for Easter and me too. We tied off to a rock and climbed the higher rocks to get a signal. We didn’t get one but it was a cool place to explore and we saw lots of edible type crabs. The rocks were cool. I got sunburned very badly on my thighs, I had covered or sunscreened everywhere on my body but there. Won't do that again, ouch!

4/3/2010 Saturday

We moved to the Ensanada Grande anchorage/bay and it was beautiful. Upon arriving there however, we had a Big Powerboat blaze in alongside of us and blast us with his wake and then go right for the spot we were heading to, to anchor. What a RUDO! Scott was hot for awhile over that but finally calmed down. The beautiful lagoon we are in has water so clean you can easily see to the bottom. It is a beautiful blue green color and has a white sandy bottom. It is a comfortable temperature. We decided to go hiking. The “trail” was actually a big ravine and had large boulders in it which you had to hike up and over or jump on top of from rock top to rock top. What a workout, but it was fun. We prepared with good shoes/socks, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, snacks, etc. The sign warned of rattlesnakes but we didn’t see any unless it was the bird that had a small snake in it’s talons that flew by us on our way down. We did see vultures, other smaller birds, lizards, squirrels (small and they hopped), spider webs but no spiders, a couple of grasshoppers and some yellow butterflies, wasps, one lone monarch. The desert plants were tough and tenacious to make it in this dry environment and some had small blooms. There were bushes/small trees, that looked like little bonsai’s as they were shaped so perfectly. There were trees that looked like those on the Serengeti. I was beautiful and at the end of the trail there was an awesome sheer cliff that overlooked the ocean on the other side. It was beautiful from up there and made the hike worth it even more.
We watched as the birds all rode the circling currents of wind off the hilltops and rose higher and higher until they were way above the whole island and it’s mountain (or hilltops) tops. We ate our snacks and drank and cooled down. Then we made our way back down. I was so tired my leg muscles were almost shaking and have been sore for days since. We came home and showered and ate. Pooped out but happy. Good day.

4/2/2010 Friday

Scott was terribly ill last night, throwing up and diarrhea but I was fine, so I don’t think it could be food poisoning as we both ate the same things. He did snorkel and I didn’t so I wonder if he swallowed some water or something or has caught a bug.
I kayaked while he snorkeled yesterday. He was sick all day and he rarely gets ill so it was tough on him to lay down and not eat and be so sick. Late in the evening he finally could eat something and hold it down. I put more stuff from my trip away and got things all in order again. Scott had the boat all cleaned and the floors freshly painted when I got back. It looks so nice and clean now. He even had a pretty bouquet of white flowers in a vase on the table. So cute. I spent some time updating my “to do” list and worked on music playlists for our ipods. I also revised a children’s story I had written my grandchildren for Christmas based on some feedback from my dear friend in Hawai’I Diane. I was so bored I cleaned under the floor board in kitchen which is a storage cubby and it was full of crumbs and such. I can’t do anything outside as it is horribly windy, so now I’m going to read a good book. We have been doing a fair amount of reading, which is actually very enjoyable. I love to read, as does Scott. We have a lot of books onboard and can swap them at different ports/marinas at their bookswaps, it is a nice amenity. I can’t even cook because we’ve decided to fast today until Scott feels better. I love to cook (it is my standby compulsive behavior activity aside from cleaning), lord help me, I might have to relax for a change. It is sunny but windy windy.

4/1/2010 Thursday
Sailed/motored to Espiritu Santos islands, sailed really smooth and faster than before we painted the bottom of the boat.We motored for 2 hrs at speeds of 4.9-5.3. The clean and newly painted boat bottom seems to have helped our boat speed immensely. We were even fighting a current and the tide. This morning we actually caught the internet for a moment to check in with the family and world. Feels good when we have communication.

We’ve been enjoying our coffee and tea in our new handthrown ceramic pottery mugs that my friend Diana Lea from No. Ogden gave us. They are a beautiful green with wonderful patterns on the sides and we enjoy them so much. The handles feel so perfect and they are just the right size, not huge but not small. Perfect!!! I love Diana, she has a beautiful family and she does so much for others.
We kayaked and walked on the beach at Caleta Partida in the Isla Espiritu Santo island area, the sand was soft and squishy, almost claylike. Reminded me of the hot pots at Yellowstone National Park. This is an old Volcano Crater as well, so I think the ph and clay/sand is similar maybe. Kind of offwhite. Neat.

3/31 /2010 Wednesday
Got the results via email from my Doctor in Utah and my bloodwork is good. I have to get my BP medicine’s effect on my kidneys checked once in awhile, it was great as well as my cholesterol. Yahoo.

3/30/2010 Tuesday
3/29/2010 Monday
3/28/2010 Sunday
Put Stuff away from my trip, what a big job. I brought a lot of stuff back. Mostly foods that I can’t buy here or at least cheap, like green olives, peanut butter, almonds, teas etc.


3/27/2010 Saturday

I had a great time on my trip and was so blessed to visit family and friends. I am especially grateful that all my kids, Scotts kids and grandkids are ok. I love them all dearly. I enjoyed a great Breakfast with Rachael at Karen’s Café and we saw Karen and wish her a speedy recovery after her spinal surgery. We love you Karen.
The kids and grandkids and I went to the Crystal Springs Hot pools and soaked our bones in the evening before Bryan left back to Philly, it was fun. We enjoyed many yummy dinners and watched a video or two, also the new series “LIFE” on the nature channel, it was awesome and inspiring, we have such a beautiful world. All the kids are growing and learning and are so smart and beautiful. I enjoy them all so much. I also was blessed to spend time in St. George with my Mother and stepdad Glen and also Shan (a dear friend) and my stepson Jeremy. Jeremy and I went camping at the old Red Bull downhill biking trails outside of Virgin and I enjoyed seeing him ride and jump his bike over the trails and jumps. What a tough young man and a delight to spend time with, so thoughtful and easy to talk to. We ate pizza and peanut butter sandwiches for 2 days, hee hee. We also built a nice fire and watch the stars. We had a good visit I feel, wish it could have been longer. I enjoyed Yoga with Shan at a wonderful seminar given by a great yoga teacher that travels the world, Desiree. She was awesome and the 2.5 hours went quickly and we enjoyed a wonderful pot luck dinner at Shan’s friends home and brought spring rolls we had made earlier, yummy!!! I met many wonderful people there. Very enjoyable. And we took the dogs for a nice walk up the beautiful Sprindale (near Zions) desert washes. I also enjoyed my visit with Mom and Glen and it was good to see they are looking and feeling well again. Life hasn’t been easy on them the last year. Cameron and Missy and Kole and Kirra are doing great, Kirra celebrated her 6th birthday and Kole is saving money to buy a flute. I can’t wait to hear her play. She is also a wonder on the trampoline, flipping like a pro! And Kirra now reads like a whiz and I loved hearing her cute little voice read through her books. Bryan even came in from Philadelphia and visited away from Dental school. Bryan and I enjoyed a day in SLC getting massages at the massage college there and cruising through the cool book store Oasis and enjoying some tea and zucchini bread, YUM!!! Another day we visited his Grandpa and Joanne Williams in Am. Fork at their home and went to lunch with them to Chuck O’ Rama. Yum again. We also got some items at Kirkhams Sporting goods store in SLC. Tried to go protest with Cam and Missy but it was too late, bummer. Enjoyed a delightful free dinner at Rickenbachers and they took pics of Shanny and Bryce and kids and I while we were eating and such for some advertising they will be doing. GREAT FOOD to die for. We ate like kings and queens and Steve, the owner treated us like royalty. I saw Kamie Geiger there and she is a doll, I said a short hello to her as she was there on business. Mandy and Josh are smokefree and Josh is riding his bike every day to work, AWESOME. Mandy is also busy with School again (as is Shannon still) and I am so proud of my kids for furthering their educations. Cameron made his handmade paper and dark walnut book covering and handbound a beautiful book for us to use on the boat to write down people we meet’s information. I spent a day with Mandy at Cam’s office and burned music for our Ipods and enjoyed hanging with Mandy Lynn again!!!! We ate greek food for lunch one day and it was yummy, I don’t get that in Mexico. Anyway can’t say enough about the good times I had with the fam. I appreciated the time with all.

3/27/2010 flew back to cabo then bus to la paz

3/4/2010 Bussed over from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas (SJD) and then flew Delta standby to slc. Crowded flight but I made it on! Glad to see Mandy and Josh when I arrived!