A New Season.

Fall is here. The air is crisp and the apples we have been greedily eyeing since April are finally ripening. It is time to head south. Next post will be from Mex'. Ciao!

From Mexico to the States.

Note to anyone driving the Mexican highways….do not, ever, do so during the Easter holidays -- ever. Easter is a very big holiday in Mexico. Mexicans -- in very serious party mode -- flock to the beaches in hordes. Stores are crowded and their shelves left empty. Roadways are jammed with holiday traffic. As we traveled, we found ourselves gawking at beaches completely covered by people, tents, and sun umbrellas. It was an incredible scene – not to mention a bit concerning. While we were very lucky and found ourselves traveling in the least traveled direction – north – and at the very least popular time – very, very early -- we still were unfortunate as to come across several serious accidents. That type of experience definitely puts things in perspective.

On Easter Sunday, we crossed the border and descended into a very different world. Border crossings are always bittersweet. We miss the boat and life on the water in the tropics. On the other hand, we look forward to seeing family and friends and living in luxury in a house with running water, electricity, and the ease of simply jumping in a car and taking only ten minutes to pick up a few groceries.

We have enjoyed our summer in the states immensely. It was great visiting with family and friends and camping out – in Humboldt County, Yucca Valley, Lake Tahoe, Seattle, the Catskills, Rainier, Kennewick, and along the Rogue River.

Summer 2007

A Season in Mexico.

This season we decided to try something new and just hang out in Mexico sailing to wherever the weather was warm and the surf up. We arrived in La Paz, BCS in November 2006 via the Lincoln on its third round trip to Baja. We set sail aboard the Gitano del Mar in December. It was wonderful to be underway…once again. With the wind filling the sails, and the sea bumping and humming under the hull, the horizon enticed us to destinations not yet known. As I write this, my mind is full of wonderful memories of dolphin escorts, whales, waves and rare blue footed boobies…amazing sunrises and sunsets and falling stars…and anchorages at Bahia de los Muertos, Mazatlan, Punta de Mita and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. In April, we returned to La Paz, put the boat up on the hard and found ourselves back in the states looking forward to visiting family and friends, and, of course, doing all those loathsome tasks that pile up while we are elsewhere.

from last season

We're back.

It’s been a long time… and I am finding it hard to remember where we left off on our reports of our sojourns. Over the past three seasons, we have sailed over 11,000 nautical miles. Our experiences have been challenging, wonderful and incredibly rich. In lieu of trying to summarize all of this into words, we will leave you with a few photographs and a promise to keep better in touch in the future.

...and just a few more.