Traveler at Sea

After our guess left in LA Paz we had some needed engine work down and La Paz is our first choice for boat services.  As you recall we were making oil, sort of.  The real problem was we were getting diesel fuel in our oil and this was due to a bad high pressure fuel pump.  After $300.00 (us) Victor from La Paz Diesel had made that problem go away.   We left La Paz and went north to Isla Partida, then Isla San Fransisco where we spent several day’s with some rather large Yacht’s.  One of which is the Ottisa II, owned by now the richest man in the world, and yes that means more than Bill Gates.  We watched the helicopter take off and land on afternoon and wondered where they went!, Seven-Eleven for a big Gulp?  Who knows.

 A day or two later we went up to Aqua Verde, 85 miles north of La Paz, and because of a low pressure system in Yuma, AZ.  we had to stay an extra three day’s.   Yes we did it in spite of the beautiful “aqua green” water.   Yes, we even had to jump in a few times, just because.  They we just had to go to the beach gathering with other crusiers, well we didn’t want to be unsociable.  All in all we survived the ordeal and made it back to Mazaltan Marina where we packed things up and drive out on June 2nd and returned to the other life June 5th.

We reported into Lowes for duty on June 10th and 11th, after two days we seemed like we’ve been back for months.

Until next Jan. Be Safe Talk to you then.

Dennis, Joan and Roxy Too!

After a nice motor sail up the Cerravlo Channel we dropped the hook 10 miles north of La Paz in a bay called Balandra.  It is home to a   rock,  that after 1000’s of years it has take the shape of a mushroom, aka “Mushroom Rock”.   The next day we went into La Paz and anchored  in the channel across from downtown La Paz .    Because of  strong currents and other conditions the boat will lay side ways to wind and sometimes the current and the boat will move or dance on the water 24 hours a day.    Locally it’s called the “La Paz Waltz”.
The water in all of the Sea of Cortez is full of sea life and bright aqua blue in shallow area’s.   There are lot’s of small Island’s to visit close to La Paz  and the snorkeling is outstanding.  La Paz offers lots of  great places to eat,  marine stores and familiar US made product;s in the grocery stores.   And if you need anything special from the US, it’s a lot easier to get it down here.    This past week the City of La Paz had a four day birthday celebration as the City turned 475 years old!   At the same time it was the start of the Baja 500 Off Road Race.  On Friday night they closed the main street by the bay and set  up display’s, food courts and all the racer’s showed of the car’s, truck’s or what ever while they were still in one piece.

Brother Dennis, aka “Kneedeep” and his friend Char spent 5 days with us and we took them out to Isla Partida and Ensenada Grande.   This is a Island (marine reserve) about 20 miles north east of La Paz.  They got a break in the rat race of life in the city and spent time in the dingy going  around checking out  the wild life on the  Island.  The rest of the time was spent taking short napes and reading.    We took traveler out to Isla Rockas,  which is home to 200 sea loins and baby pup’s and all the sea bird’s and took lot’s of picture’s.  Brother Dennis and Char had to fly back to the Rat Race on Tuesday so we came back to Marina de  La Paz were we are going to have some work done on the boat  then start are way back to Mazatlan by the end of May.

That’s it for now.

Dennis, Joan and Roxy Too!
 

We left the PV area and spent 4 day’s at Chacala before we did the 144 mile run up to Mazatlan.    We arrived at Old harbor Mazatlan where there were 20 other boats, which is a lot of boats for that anchorage.  We had a great time and much to my surprise the old harbor is lots of fun and adventure.  Watching the weekly cruise ship’s.   Two came in on Tuesday’s and three came in on Wednesday.  

  We keep our car in Mazatlan so we got it and took Dick and Jan on Zephyrus up to Copala to visit Gary & Lois, aka “Texan”.    Gary  and Lois have made Copala there  new home.    It’s a beautiful hill side home over looking the town plaza and a Church that was built in 1765. (see pictures)

On Wedesday April 23 we left Mazatlan and crossed the sea of Cortez. It was 191 mile trip and took 34 hours.  We had flat seas and light winds and a full moon.  The best kind of crossing one could have.  On on final aproach to our distantion we were greeted by hundreds and hundreds of Dolpins! (see pictures) They would swim right under the bow of the boat and three or four of them would leave and then four or five more would come and swim with Traveler.  Roxy went nut’s.  She had to be restrained  as she  barked to try to scare away the possible  threat  to her.  

We got to Murtoes about 4:00 pm and dropped the hook in beautiful aqua blue water.  Murtoes is a small bay that is home to a large sports fishing panga fleet, and at night larger private sports fishing boats spend the night.  The only thing here is two small resorts to the south of us and the north end is a resterant called the Giggling Marlin.  It’s just like the one in Cabo.   We made a visit to the restrerant and had  some ”Cheeseburger’s in Pardise”!  It was busy with the panga fishing customers that had just come in to celabrate ther catch with a few cold ones.
From here were off to La Paz area on Sunday!
Bye for now!
Dennis, Joan & Roxy

Surf’s up in Salyulita!

 We recently took a day trip  with Dick and Jan on Zhyreups, (a sister ship to Traveler)  friends from San Diego  on a buss to a little beach community north of PV called Salyulita.   It is also a large Gringo community, where the homes are priced like Orange County. You can have a little Mexican Home on the beach,  only $500,000 to $1,500,000.!   It is also a very popular surfing beach.  For every restaurant there is a real estate office. and some nice shop’s .    We had a very nice time and a good meal.  Check out the pictures.  (#3)

Our friend May from Riverside came to PV to visit us so we moved the boat from Nuevo Vallarta to Marina Vallarta where you are surrounded by Condo’s and restaurant.  It’s like living in a fish bowl.  On the plus side it’s easy to get around by bus or even walking.  In Nuevo Vallarta it’s a two buss ride to get anywhere.   While in Vallarta marine we went to Cosco, just opened in March, and bought 4 new 6 volt batteries.    Now if the only had a Fry’s Electronic store we could by everything down here.    How time has changed, for the better.

We left PV on Wed. April 9th and went to Punta Mita to spend the night.   The next day we took a 30 mile trip north to our favorite spot, Chacala where we are at present time.  We are getting a good wi-fi signal and today Sunday we have been listening to a live broadcast on NHRA Drag racing from Las Vegas.   Yesterday was a beach day along with some other cruisers, Rosita, Oasis’s, and Tequila Rose to name a few. Tomorrow we will head north to Mazatlan for a week then across the sea to La Paz.
That’s it for now.
Take care and be safe!

Dennis, Joan & Roxy!

After leaving Chacala we came into Bandars Bay and spent 7 days  on the hook at La Cruz.  Our Daughter and family were due into Paradise Village  on Mar. 13  for a 7 day stay.    We contacted Nuevo Marina  across from Paradise Village and got our favorite slip!  Between the pilings.  At $20.00 peaso @ft a day it’s the best thing going in PV.  We had a great time with the kids and now were waiting for our next visitor due in April 3th.  We thought we would try Marina Vallarta, that is if we can get in.  The weather here is pretty cool  compared to years past.  What’s this talk about global warming?  It’s not happening in Mexico, trust me.  Look over the pictures and you’ll see us with three other boats tied to a concrete piling and across the way in another picture you will see the little  boat trying to park a boat with a Helicopter on board.  Just when you thing you’ve got a great life someone shows up and spoils your thought.  Just kidding.  Joan and I know we have been blessed living the good life and we will live it for you if you can’t do it for yourself at this time.   Until next time, take care.

Dennis , Joan & Roxy Too!