Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Cruising Fall 2016 recap



Each summer we look forward to fall in the Sea of Cortez with its 82 degree crystal clear water.

The end of September is when we head south. 
Our 1991 Honda Civic work truck is loaded up and ready to make the 1700 mile trek to San Carlos Mexico where the Liahona rests on stands in dry dock waiting for us.


This year was a long 3 weeks in the work yard. Doesn't sound rough, but with temperatures in the high 90's, no A/C, and no wind blowing through the hatches it gets hot!
Still a small price to pay for 9 months each year of doing what we love.


Fiberglass repairs to the keel joint were an unexpected and lengthy ordeal before putting the boat in the water .



After sealing the bilge, Bret was stoked to finally have a completely dry bilge.


Stainless prep work for the new wind generator. 


The new D400 wind gen was by far one of our best new additions! No more amp Nazi on board.


Marking the chain with zip ties lets us know how much chain we are letting out when anchoring. Our chain and anchor were re-galvanized and looking fresh!


After 3 weeks of blood,sweat, and a few tears. The Liahona is ready to splash.


Dia de los Muertos is a 3 day celebration in Mexico. Costumes, parades and altars to remember and pray for the dead are all part of the celebration. 


While traditional Dia de los Muertos food can be found on every corner, Bret opts for his favorite bacon wrapped hot dog for 20 pesos.


Thousands of locals gather for the celebration.


Dolphin playing the bow wake never gets old!


November found us enjoying favored anchorages in The Sea of Cortez on our sail south to La Paz.


First Dorado of the season. 


 Not a huge catch, but the macadamia coconut encrusted Dorado was delicious!


A little spiritual fitness can be found almost everywhere we go. Love how big my tribe is.



2016's Super Moon over La Paz, Mexico.


We spent Thanksgiving with our Argentine friends in La Paz. 


 Instead of Turkey and 5 different kinds of carbs,we had meat, meat, and more meat.


Thanksgiving apple pie was replaced by tres leches.
Amazing food, and fabulous company. A great way to spend our Thanksgiving holiday!


December Christmas festivals are always at night and off the hook with twelve consecutive nights of parades, dances,music, and STREET FOOD!


Buying a few pieces of pan dulce from the sisters of the orphanage ( although named sweet bread it does not typically live up to its name).




Karla and Rawly joined us on December 22nd.
Christmas day was spent in the middle of the southern crossing from La Paz BCS to Puerto Vallarta.


 No roads in or out makes Yelapa a unique place to visit. 


ATV's with trailers are used to deliver groceries to the two small tiendas (grocery stores).


No cars in Yelapa, but it is not uncommon to see donkeys and dirt bikes along the roadside.




A young boy leading a donkey packing sacks of coconuts. Very humbling.


Yep! We landed another Dorado. This one was huge!


We ate the whole thing sashimi style.


Fresh pineapple anyone?


Lunch with Karla and Rawly on the beach in La Manzanilla.


Friday night raft ups in Tenacatita. Tied together in our dinghys (the fanily car) everyone brings something to drink and an appetizer to pass around. Food is usually followed by the weekly tell us about yourself question passed around the circle and someone with talent playing the guitar and singing while the sun sets.

As always one day at a time.
Ciao for now,
Marne

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

A look back at our 2015-2016 Cruising Season





A fun look back on last years cruising adds anticipation for the upcoming season and all the new adventures in store.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Hurricane season in Mexico / Fire season in Southern Oregon


 Summer is hurricane season in Mexico and Fire season at home in Southern Oregon. While the Liahona is on dry dock for 3 months we are home trying to earn some money for the cruising kitty. We own 2 1960's military 6x6's that we use to deliver water to wildland forest fires. 


We shared the closest water source with the helicopters. Amazing to have these guys fly so close over head and dump their buckets while I have my draft hose in the same pond waiting for my truck to fill.


Cleveland Ridge fire. Our view from the pond as we drove to and from the fire.


 Dozers were sent in to build roads up the side of the mountain. Our old military 6x6's go anywhere. Our job is to haul water up to portable tanks closer to the fire.





One of the portable tanks I filled.



The professor fixing a radiator leak on the job. He wears many hats and the hat of boat captain comes in handy when needing to fix things with what you have on board.


Like living on a sailboat, it is important to keep up on maintenance. Its a little easier crawling under the truck than into some of the places Bret crawls into on the boat.


First fire under the belt and completed safely by all.


As we are now 3 weeks out to departure. We have turned our attention from the local fire website to the national hurricane website. Our beautiful Liahona is dry docked in San Carlos. Newtons path crosses just north. We are sending good thoughts to our friends in the area, and hoping the best for the Liahona and all the other boats.