Family Friends and Fun

  Que Onda,

The motor is on and we are in route to our next local. It always seems to be a good time for the first mate to take time to write. Our visit with Tallen and Rawly has been fabulouso! When we left Cabo we sailed first to Frailes. Frailes is beautiful and the perfect preamble to the Sea of Cortez. Next stop.... Muertos. Another winner, we all got in a little dinghy surfing followed by slack lining(provided by Tallen), and some awesome guacamole.

Bret getting his slack line on!

Tallen surfing behind the dinghy

Isla Espiritu Santo was our next destination. The Island never disappoints with its crystal clear water filled with beautiful fish, coral, and other underwater delights(Lobster). We were all experiencing something new as we had never anchored on the east side of the Island. The landscape is equally beautiful with its white sand beaches, flowering cacti, and high canyon walls begging to be climbed. I took a solo hike one day looking for the goats that Bret claims he saw last year. I believe him, but then I also believe in Bigfoot. I kept hearing a noise that sounded like a rattle snake and then would get high pitched. Sounds pretty uneventful, but earlier this year I read a thriller based on the ruins in cancun about a plant that lured its victims with strange clicking noises. I decided to investigate(sound reasonable). Turns out after throwing several large rocks that it was a flying bug the size of a quarter. I could have used Google at that moment. Sitting alone on top of a high peak with a 360' view of the Sea is nothing less than breath taking. 

A tiny puffer bit the hook. He unpuffed and swam away without injury.

Father and son enjoying the sail.

Dinghy ride through the canal to the other side. So beautiful!

Heading out to the sea caves. 

We moved north to the east side of Caleta Partita. Protected from the swell on the west side by a low lying peace of land with a shallow canal connecting the 2 anchorages it was a gold mine! Sea cave snorkeling, lobster diving, and spear fishing! Sounds a bit like a adventure vacation advertisement to me. The sea caves were pretty extensive, twisting north and south, leaving plenty of unexplored places for the next trip. This was the day I speared my first fish. The spear gun is tough to load,so Bret has to do the muscle work. Instructions were as follows...

1. Do not hit the rocks it will damage the spear.
2. Don't shoot at anything small, its not worth the work for the meat it yields.
3. DO NOT HIT THE ROCKS.

Got it...and I'm off never thinking I would actually hit a fish. Intent on not hitting the rocks, finding a big fish, and all with only one shot. Hmmmm, what to do? Just keep swimming, breath, be patient, oh... wait... SQUIRREL! I saw a large male Parrot fish. I let some air out of my lungs so I could dive down,get parallel and avoid hitting rocks. I flipped the safety with my thumb, pointed, aimed and fired. Somewhere in there I crossed my fingers. When the dust cleared and I saw I had speared him I was out of my mind excited. That night we shared fish tacos and Lobster with friends on board SV Shindig.

Short video I took snorkeling. Feels like 'Im part of the finding Nemo cast.

On the hunt for dinner.

Just after I surfaced with the fish. I was pumped!

A friend shared a little gem with me while we were talking about some of the things live aboard cruisers find difficult. I used one of my favorite quotes and referred to them as "Luxury problems",reminding myself that I am lucky and blessed to get to live any life at all. She said a local women from Puerto Vallarta referred to them as "First world problems". Adding that to my gratitude list the day was perfect!

Our cozy dining table serving up a  Lobtser dinner!

Ciao for now,

Marne,Bret,Tallen,and Rawly
SV Liahona

Swimming with Pilot Whales

To date the most amazing marine animal experience of my cruising season!

Check out the video

Back in Baha

We are back on the Baha side! Anchored in Cabo until wednsday when we will head north into the Sea of Cortez. Cabo is not a favored anchorage for cruisers as it very busy. The boat rolls around quite a bit  making sleep a little less than bueno. It is however beautiful and seeing family here is well worth any rolling! Bret's sister Karla and her husband Jeff are here for a week.

Karla and I cooling off in the pool.

Bret calls this place a pretty posh pad.

 Karla, Jeff and I lounged on a huge queen bed on the beach yesterday. The weather was perfect. The lounge was white, the towels were white, the sand was white, the water aqua, and I could see the white hull of the Liahona in the bay looking fresh. Felt like we were in a magazine ad and I laughed, joking that the paparazzi were certainly lurking behind one of the cabanas.

 View of the bay from Jeff and Karlas balcony. 

Jeff treated us to an amazing Italian dinner.

 Bret and I have been watching the Soprano's so we were pumped to see the Tony Soprano special on the menu. " What are ya gonna do?"

The staff was great and the uniforms even better. The back of the shirts read  "Legalize Marinara"

Bret up to his usual shenanigans.

 Treasures of the bilge is one of the topics on the morning VHF net in most large anchorages. Its a great way to get rid of things you don't use and free up some space. Space is a precious commodity as it is limited. Items are free or traded for coconuts. Trading for coconuts is code for dollars. Seems appropriate. When we were in Mazatlan another boat was giving away a hand crank washing machine. We are now the proud owners of a Wonder Wash. Can't fit much in each load, but it works well and I get a little arm workout at the same time.

Doing a load of laundry on the back deck as we leave Mazatlan. 

Halfway through our crossing about mid-day Friday we had some visitors. A huge pod of small dolphin swam with the boat for about 10 minutes. They were having a party! I was doing my normal squeaking,clapping, ooohing and awwwing. Its amazing everytime!

We hooked into another striped Marlin a few hours before we got to Cabo. We released him when we got him to the boat. Super fun!

Great sail on our last day with Jeff and Karla. Tomorrow we pull anchor and head north to Frailles with Tallen and Rawly.

Ciao for now

Marne and Bret

SV Liahona

Anchored in Old Mazatlan

On our hike up lighthouse hill on Sunday morning.

Hanging with Chris and Liz from SV Espiritu

Meeting on the beach. Toes in the sand and a pup at my feet. One for the books!

Cirque de Ole!

This Yellow footed Bubi hung out on the railing by the cockpit for about 15 minutes. 

Bret the Bird Whisperer

Monday morning we went to pull anchor and move north. Long story short, the anchor chain had wrapped itself around a giant old ship anchor. We were in about 30' of water, with close to zero visibility. After a few dives to the anchor and help from friends on other boats we were fee. This was not an easy task. Grateful there was no damage to the boat, nobody was hurt, and the reminder that this was a luxury problem.

Bret cleaning the muck from his mask

                                                

Cruiser family helping out by pushing the Liahona with there dinghy's

Movie night on SV Espiritu

Isla Mazatlan Marina

Being budget cruisers we don't usually stay in a marina. While the refrigeration was being worked on we stayed at the marina on Isla Mazatlan. 

Dinner with friends from SV Loomba Loomba at the Chill and Grill 

In addition to a long hot shower the calm water and good nights sleep is always a plus.

Friday morning at sunrise we will say goodbye to the the Mexican Riviera and make the crossing from Mazatlan to Cabo. It is 1 overnighter, about a 30 hour crossing  with 3 hour shifts split between the 2 of us.  Bret's sister Karla and her husband Jeff fly into Cabo the day we arrive, then Tallen and Rawly a few days later. It is so cool to sail into an anchorage and have family on the beach waiting.

Marne and Bret

SV Liahona

Surfing in Matanchen Bay

Catching a wave close enough to both get in the pic and not run into each other...patience in practice!

We stayed for a week in  Matanchen Bay near San Blas. Matanchen is in The Guinness Book of World Records as having the longest wave in the world. It was the perfect spot for my beginner level skills. Sandy bottom, long soft wave. We both rode waves so long we had to walk the beach back. It was awesome!

Hoofing it in for some fresh banana bread

Hmmmm the fence never seems to look big enough

Cathedral in town square

Bret getting a 35 peso haircut. That's about $1.67us

Beach front dining

Doesn't get any fresher