Sun Bathers..

These are a couple of pictures of the local iguanas that live near the pool here at the El Cid. They just seems to watch all of us and the rest of the word just go by...
Well as cruising plans usually go, we've changed ours a bit. We found a guy here that will make great dinghy chaps for a really good price - so we're staying now until next Friday...

Just a relaxing Day...

Today was just spent being a tourist after school was finished. We took a taxi to the "golden zone" (alias - tourist zone) and wondered around for a while. We didn't really buy anything, but looked at lots of stuff. After that we took the bus pack to the marina. The picture below is of the boys at the pool just after sunset. This is the little playground at the hotel here. This is some sort of contraption that you sit in and spin around in.... made me dizzy just watching them!!!
LDP - thanks for the birthday wishes!!! You guys should come to PV for christmas!!!

Mazatlan

This is the famous cathedral in the historic portion of downtown Mazatlan. We made it to Mazatlan on Friday, arriving just after 9 am. We have a beautifull slip at the gorgeous El Cid resort, and the kids are loving the pool action. Friday was a day to catch up on some sleep after the night crossing and the let the kids wear off some steam at the pool. Saturday seems to have just happened... Yesterday (Sunday) we set off to take a bus to the historic part of town, but we got on the wrong bus. Knowing this, we got off fairly quickly and walked for a while. Then we took a "Pulmanaria" (Opean Air Cab) to the historic portion and wandered around for a while. We had lunch at a really nice place, wandered some more then took the correct bus to the local supermarket "Gigante" - and a taxi home.
This evening (Monday) we dinghied over to the other marina here and met up with our friends Dan & Loraine Olsen of "Zephrus" - they say to tell everyone in San Diego and at SWYC hello for them. We're having dinner with them on Friday aboard Oasis, and then they too will be heading south later in the month, so we will most likely run into them again.

Kyle and Ryan eating chips aboard Zephrus....

Here's a picture of Rich's first yellow fin tuna! He made fresh ahi poke for dinner that night! (eat your heart out Ron & Mia!). He's really starting to get into this fishing thing! You can see how flat the sea was during our crossing. We motored across and had to slow the boat up in the middle of the night so as to not arrive here too early.... The office to the marina opens at 9am, and we radioed them at 9:03 - how's that for timing!!

Thanks for the birthday wishes Carolyn and LeAnne!!!!!

Hey Good Looking -- Happy Birthday!

While our friends sail to Mazatlan, celebrating Debbie's 43rd birthday. I thought it would be fun to leave them messages; your fondest memory of Debbie, her birthday, or some other crazy time you know I want to know about. While you are thinking about some juicy details, here's some Buffet,

Fish Everywhere..

Kyle, hung upside down like a Marlin! He's been waiting to do this... Ryan got hooked up, but wouldn't let Dad reel him in....
Rich has been fishing off the boat. His favorite fish appears to be about a 5 inch puffer fish... And so ends another beautiful day in Los Muertos....

Hookah in Action

Rich hooked up the hookah line yesterday to play with it.
He check out the bottom of the boat. We were missing a nut on one of our zincs, so he just dove on down there and fixed it - pretty handy!!!
Kyle's at it again - jumping off the boat! He calls this dive his flying cannon ball...
Yep, he's loving this!!!

Oasis In Los Muertos

We're spending a few quiet days here in Los Muertos. Our current position is: 23 degrees 59.2'N/109 degrees 49.7' W. Click on the above picture to see it better. There is nothing here except for a great beach, some old mining ruins, and the above pictured Giggling Marlin.

Here's a picture of the bay from the beach. Notice the stink pots?? There was a rally that visited here last night which was comprised of about 30-40 stink pots! They're all gone now, on their way to La Paz. We have the bay back now with only 4 other boats anchored here.
This is looking west from the beach - another pretty nice one huh!!! This is as far north as we're going. Our current thinking is to head over to Mazatlan later this week, possibly leaving here on Thursday morning, which would put us in Friday afternoon.

Pictures from Los Frailes

Once ashore, the boys and Rich climbed a little sand burm to find a lake.
Our own private beach. This is a picture of the bay of Los Frailes - pretty nice huh???

The last night we were there, there was a pot-luck on the beach. The boys from Oasis and Ketching Up climbed a nearby hill and took control of it. They look like survivors...
This is the pot-luck. It started at 4:00 so everyone could get back to their boats before dark. After "Survivor Santa Maria", everyone thinks getting back before dark is a great idea.

Well now we're in Los Muertos - which is another 45 mile NW from Los Frailes. We plan to be here for 4-5 days before heading across the Sea of Cortez to Mazatlan.

Baja Ha-Ha Wrapup

Here is a really great summary of the race. Makes me want to stop writing my own and just link to them.

Recap on Cabo

Remember when I was talking about how I hoped this 2 week little trip my husband was taking to Cabo San Lucas would get the cruising bug out of his system? Well, as I am 90 percent of the time, I was wrong. Carson had the time of his life helping Debbie and Ryan take Oasis down from San Diego to Cabo. I’m afraid he was boat shopping while cruising with 150 other boats and has a “3 year plan” for doing the Ha-ha again. And really who can blame him for dreaming?

The rally/race was very well organized. They kept track of all of the boats (wow!) with a daily roll call, had organized events at each stopping point, had tons of giveaways, and had a wealth of knowledge and friendliness to share with everyone. If you haven't already found it, check out the electronic version of Latitude 38. This is the magazine that sponsored the rally. And the many of the magazine staffers were in the race too.

And the people!! Deb and Rich are sailing with some really terrific people. Very friendly, very willing to help with information or skills they have. I was really impressed with the caliber of people I met while down in Cabo. While walking around downtown Cabo, you could recognize many many HaHa people by their bright pink or blue shirts. Even when we were in Costco (provisioning for the next leg), we met fellow cruisers, and gave them a ride back to the marina.

But my review of Cabo San Lucas isn't quite so shiny. I was warned before I left that I might not like Cabo. I was told that it was really Americanized and catered to a different crowd than I was used to. Boy, were they right!!! I couldn't find a popcicle storefront anywhere, nor a panderia. I wasn't particularly happy with the food either. But life isn't always just about food, right? I liked our hotel. It was about a 5 min drive from the marina and friendly helpful staff. But enough of the review, let's see some pictures.

Here are my two boys at "Lover's Beach". We took a water taxi to get out to this beautiful place. It is just around the corner from Cabo's famous Arch. And the beach has two sides, both the bay and the ocean are accessible. We had a fantastic afternoon swimming and snorkeling.

Kyle and Carson had a great time towing each other around on the boogie board at Mango Deck.Aren't these kids cute. And so patiently waiting to go to the beach. There were a few times last weekend where I would have all four of the kids. People would look really hard at us and try to figure out if they were all brothers. Can you imagine??? The 3 oldest are only nine months apart with Ryan holding up the end at 14 months younger than Robert.

Update -- Los Frailes

We left Cabo Monday morning around 10:30, after fueling up. We had a nice trip up to Las Frailes, which is about 45 miles NE of Cabo. We were anchored around 5:30 that evening. Yesterday (Tuesday) we started school again - both kids were ready to get back to it. After school we packed our lunch and headed to the beach. The crew of "Merry Roe's" joined us for the afternoon. The kids had fun playing on their boogey boards and playing in the sand. That evening, "Merry Roe's" and "Vinmar" left Los Frailes. "Vinmar" headed for Mazatlan and "Merry Roe's" headed up towards Loreto. After dinner last night, we joined some other folks aboard "Paradise Bound", a Vagabond 47. They had blended ice cold peaches and cream drinks and appetizers. He had his spreader lights on lighting up the water around him. The light drew a feeding frenzy of Mackerel. There were hundreds, and it lasted for well over an hour - the boys were sufficiently impressed.

Today, Wednesday, we tried out a different beach landing. We had over a mile of beach to ourselves - what a life!! Our friends from "Ketchin Up" arrived just a bit ago. Kyle called their youngest son on the radio and made a beach play date for tomorrow. We're planning on staying here until Saturday when we'll go another 45 miles up to Los Muertos.
Our current position is: 23 degrees 22.80' N; 109 degrees 25.28W.
We have really enjoyed reading all the comments on our blog when we get hooked up to the internet - keep it up!!!
Rich, Deb, Kyle, & Ryan
S/V OASIS

Ha-Ha Awards Party

This is a picture of us getting our award for 3rd place in our division (jalapneo division). Now realize, there was one first, one second, and lots of thirds - no one got worst than third place. It was a great time watching all the people we've met the past two weeks getting their awards. Everyone overcame something to get where we're all at now - pretty incredible!!

This is the crew of Ketchin Up. They're from Asotria, OR. We've hung out with them a fair amount the past few weeks. Our plan is to leave tomorrow morning to head up to La Fralies for a week or two. We're just going to drop the hook and sit there and let this all sink in for a while. We're meeting Ketchin Up and Merry Rose up there...

A Few Picturese From Legs 1 - Turtle Bay

Here's what our spinnaker looks like. We popped it just after the start back in San Diego.

We're in CABO!!!

Here's a picture of the famous Arch in Cabo. We rounded this cape yesterday morning around 9:30am. We had a great trip down from Bahia Santa Maria! Beautiful weather, two yellow fin tunas (one became Poke for appetizers). We're in the marina in Cabo side tied to the pier with two other Ha-Ha boats rafted to us. Now we can clean up the boat, fill up with food, water, etc. There was a beach party today that we went to - which was really fun. Ask Carolyn about the "Here to Eternity" kiss on the beach contest!!!
This is a picture another boat took of us just as we rounded Cedros Island before going into Turtle Bay. Rich loves this picture.... note the swell...
Here's the sunrise on our last day prior to getting to Cabo..
Yellow Fin! Carson had a great time fishing off the boat. We got one Dorado (mahi mahi) and three yellow fins!! We're stocked with tuna for a bit.

Well that's enough for tonight. We're having a nice quiet dinner with Carolyn and the boys... more later...

Leaving on a Jet Plane.

I’m really not the traveling type. It is so much more of a hassle to get ready for vacation and then to clean up after vacation, than just to relax at home. It is the morning of our plane trip and I think I have everything under control. ::Cough cough::

In a few short hours I will be relaxing on a beautiful sandy beach sipping a tropical drink and frantically uploading pictures from the last two weeks. Look for more updates with new and improved pictures.

Update

After spending two glorious days in Bahia Santa Maria, we hauled up the anchor this morning at 5:30 with our next landfall being Cabo San Lucas. We should get there tomorrow afternoon sometime. We're sailing in about 80 degree weather with beautiful sunny skies, following the coast to the cape.

Santa Maria was a really nice stop. We got in around 11:00pm this past Sunday. There is no town, just beaches. The surf can be pretty bad for dinghy landings, and it was really breaking while we where there. Out of 170 boats, probably only a dozen took their dinghy's in, everyone else took a panga. Monday was just a casual day. They were selling beer on shore and a band was playing. Kyle & Ryan hooked up with another set of siblings their ages. They found a little natural pool to play in while the tide was low. When the tide started to come in, it became a great surf ride for them.... Yesterday was the official beach party. It was scheduled to start at 1pm. The surf was so high that even the panga drivers wouldn't go out, so the party was postponed an hour. We finally got a ride around 3:15. We got in line to go back to the boat around 4:45, since it was suggested that everyone be off the beach before dark. We got back, put the dinghy up, etc and had dinner around 6:30.

Just out of habit we turned on the radio during dinner. Apparently not everyone had gotten off the beach before dark. Richard (the Grand Poo Bah) was telling everyone that they should plan on sleeping on the beach, since he thought it was too dangerous to come out thru the surf in the dark. The issue became mute once the Panga drivers said - No Mas!!! Richard took a roll call of those on the beach, and everyone was accounted for... When we left this morning, the pangas where just getting ready to get the 70 or so people back out thru the surf. It was a situation that could have been bad, but thanks to the Grand Poo Bah and the panga drivers, everything worked out great!!!!

We're currently about 600 miles south of San Diego with only 140 miles to go.... this is GREAT!
FYI - We're at: 24 deg 21' N; 111 deg 52' W

Speaking of phones

The emergency satellite phone is working. Just as I finished posting "If the phone doesn't ring, it's me" my phone rang and Carson was on the other line. Now, I never understood semantic of some words very well, so tell me, was that irony? I thought is was funny none the less.

They are having a wonderful time. Carson was trying to describe the blue of the sky and the crystal clear blue water and the 80 degree weather. They are seeing whales.

I was certainly surprised to hear from Oasis. I assume they are just testing out the phone. They have a plan that only allows for so many minutes per month and it not exactly the 700 minute plan. If my memory is right it is more like 20 mins/month.

I'm flying down to Cabo San Lucas to bring them a few things, have a little vacation, and most importantly take my husband back to the states. I have this funny feeling he is having the time of his life and isn't really wanting to come back to the dredges of real life.

If The Phone Doesn't Ring, It's Me - Jimmy Buffett

This was my first weekend without my friends (and husband). One of the few times I've been to the yacht club without them. I sat at our favorite table on a Friday night. I had 3 older ladies confuse me with Debbie saying "Aren't you cruising yet?". Lord knows, they didn't think Carolyn would go cruising.

So for all of you that, like I, have enjoyed regular phone calls from Deb, I leave you this video from our friend Jimmy. ::crossing fingers that I can embed a video::

UPDATE: On our way to Bahia Santa Maria

Well we left Turtle Bay yesterday morning around 8 am. We had a great sail! The wind filled in nicely from the NW, the sun was out and we started catching fish. We had two hand lines out. We had two Dorado on, but only landed one. Later Carson caught a big yellow fin Tuna. We're planning on having Dorado taco's for dinner tonight. The overnight trip was very uneventful. The wind died and we motored for most of the night directly towards our way point. We predict arriving in Bahia Santa Marina around midnight tonight.
Our last day in Turtle Bay was spent at a beach pot-luck party. There were these big balls in the water that the kids could get in and spin around in the water. One time we were looking for Kyle and found him inside the ball! The boys had a great time playing with all the other kids on the beach.
Carson has been fishing today already and has caught 5 Bonito's - all were tossed back. He's looking for another big Tuna!!
Carolyn - Carson say's Hi honey, I'm having a great time!! Looking forward to seeing you all in Cabo... Love Ya!!!

Water

Water. The main component of life. The most important item on any journey and this journey floating on the water is no exception. The water plan is a simple one:

1. The boat holds ~ 85 gallons (a complete estimate from one who doesn't pay attention to these types of details).

2. A WaterMaker. This baby, although I don't remember what brand, pumps out 25 gallons and hour!! I remembered that impressive number. A watermaker converts salt water to drinkable water using reverse osmosis, click here to read more about the process. I believe their plan is to fill up their tanks with this any time they are out in blue water and motoring.

3. And our well prepared travellers also strap in 3 10 gallons "jeri cans" of water on the top deck, just in case.

Oh Boy!

I signed us up for NaBloPoMo's "blog every day in November contest". Think we can do it? Debbie's posting will be spotty, but her excuse is valid. So it is up to me to fill in the blanks. Feel free to leave comments or suggestions of posts. I may need your help.

UPDATE We're in Turtle Bay!

Well we made it to Turtle Bay on Wednesday - we were anchored by around 7:30 pm, which was a few hours earlier than we thought we'd be here!! The trip down had a few memorable moments and quotes - which you'll see below... Monday the wind came up just as we started, we actually launched the spinnaker around 2:30 pm, just south of the Coronado Islands. Later the wind died and we turned on the motor. We motored until around midnight when the wind started to pick back up. Boy did the wind pick up. Carson's watch was from 3-6 am, and he saw consistent winds of 20-25 with building seas. When I got up around 7:30, the winds were still in the 20-25 range and the seas were around 6-8 feet - and built like cliffs! They boys were hand steering the boat as we surfed down each wave... This continued until sometime the next night, when the winds dropped a bit and the seas started to calm down. It was 24 hours of steep, white water sailing... Yesterday (Wednesday) was a great day!!! We motored for a while until we came upon Cedros Island when we were able to head in a direction that gave us a better sailing angle. You can't argue with sailing in bright clear blue skies and doing over 7 knots!!! Rich brought us into Bahia de Tortuga (Turtle Bay) under clear skies, with lots and lots of stars - it was really beautiful!! We proceeded into the bay and are anchored with 170 other boats in about 25 feet of water... We popped the champagne and toasted our first landfall... Later after dinner, we reminisced about the day before and came up with the following quotable quotes for Leg 1 of the Baha Ha-Ha....
Carson - Debbie, take the wheel, I've got to hurl.
Marissa - Tom, I think I'm going to die.
Kyle - Are we there yet?
Kyle - I'm still hungry.
Ryan - Are we there yet?
Rich - Carson, you're giving me the ride of my life!
Rich - The TV just fell on me.
Tom/Marissa - The toys are all flying at us.
Deb - Welcome to the Pacific Ocean.
Tom - Now that's it's dark, I know where I'm at.
Today we got up around 7:30 for the daily roll-call. We have a few chores to do today, like re-building the forward head which got plugged up... and getting some fuel. The boys had a great time decorating the sugar sculls Carolyn gave the boys for Dias de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival which is today..
Carolyn - Can you please go to West Marine and get the following part and bring it down to us??
Raritan
PHII and PHEII
Overhaul Kit
Part # PHRKII
Thanks!!
Well that's it for now....
Rich, Deb, Kyle, Ryan, Carson, Tom, & Marissa