Preparing for take off...

So, it's mid November, and we are getting a later start than usual for our season sailing in Mexico. But preparations have started...figuring out logistics, making lists of necessities...clothes and boat parts etc, forwarding mail and figuring out the best way to winterize our home.

 Our plans are to leave by airplane on December 31st. This season will not only be getting off to a late start but it will be missing one of it's beloved and most valuable crew members, our dog Harley (who sadly passed in July). She had been a huge asset to our crew, remaining calm when the seas were almost unbearable and providing support to the most worrisome crew on Solastra, me. She was always up for everything be it swimming, snorkeling, walking the beaches, dinghy rides, walking the towns and villages, meeting new people and visiting friends, hiking mountains and joining us on our SUP boards. She was always a friendly greeter to all those who approached the boat wagging her tail and moving her body vigorously when maybe a loud vicious bark would have been preferred.  But she was who she was...quite sweet. We will certainly miss her ways, when she would storm the decks bow to stern barking with excitement whenever dolphins were swimming about the boat. We will miss her sunning on the decks with us when the seas were calm and her enthusiasm when we had a "fish on". It will definitely be an adjustment for both Captain and 1st mate!  

 Besides missing Harley, it will be a different journey for us. Taking a plane for one is new to us, when before we had always driven except our first season when we sailed all the way from San Francisco Bay. Secondly we will be starting from much further south than usual. We usually start in San Carlos in the Sea of Cortez. This year we are starting from Barra de Navidad (slightly north of Manzanillo) where we left Solastra for the summer. 

 Hope to be sharing a safe and adventurous season with you. Thank you in advance for following along.
Barra de Navidad is off to the left where our boat is docked and waiting for us.

Comments

  1. G RyanNovember 21, 2019 at 1:24 PM

    It sounds like you are taking a safer route down this time. I will happily follow your adventure again and look forward to seeing your beautiful photos.

    ReplyDelete
  2. JenniferNovember 21, 2019 at 3:38 PM

    Beautifully written first mate. May the seas be kind and the weather perfect.if I do not see you before your departure know that I go with you in spirit

    ReplyDelete
  3. Byron ShugartDecember 24, 2019 at 5:21 PM

    We are looking forward to your adventure through your blog. Always so fun! Always here if you need a local stay, hope to come out your way as well! I will forward this to Steve as well, he will get a kick out of it! Be well, but no fair having too much fun... do it anyway!

    May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.” (an old Irish blessing)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

From the Lake to the Ocean...

Image
Priest Lake It’s January 7th, 2020 and we are currently anchored in Bahia Tenacatita, near La Manzanilla, Mexico. But I will back up and fill you in on how we got here.  On December 29th we winterized and closed up our home in Priest Lake, Idaho, which was no easy task, but we figured it out and got it done. From there we drove to nearby Hills Resort for the night. After checking in we enjoyed a nice going away dinner at a nearby restaurant, Millie’s, with our friends Rick and Kelly. Next day, December 30th, we drove to Kelly’s, down the road from the resort, picked her up, and headed to Spokane, WA for a 2 hour drive. We stopped for lunch in Spokane, and soon after arrived at the Day’s Inn airport hotel, checked in and said goodbye to Kelly, who then drove our vehicle back to Priest Lake.  Our first night stay away from our house Checking into the Days Inn, loaded for bear The next day, December 31st, we woke at 4 a.m., and left for the airport at ...
Read more

Patiently waiting...

Image
Torneo de Pesca 2020 The smart remarks have returned. Rick is on the mend! It took him a few days to get his energy back but all is good now as far as the food poisoning goes.  We have been here in Barra for nearly a month now due to a couple boat issues that kept coming up that were mentioned in our last blog, so our time to leave keeps getting pushed forward. Since our time to leave was so close to the Torneo de Pesca 2020 (fishing tournament) which takes place right here at the marina, we decided to stay and leave after tournament.  It’s a very big deal here! The event goes on all weekend long. It’s a team event consisting of 4 fisherman per boat. Only one person is allowed to hold the leader to bring the fish to the side of the boat. But there are no restrictions to the number of people to get the fish onboard. The species of fish include Sailfish (catch and release basis only), Marlin, Dorado and Tuna. It’s always exciting to see the big fish, especially ...
Read more

Still in Barra de Navidad

Image
When we arrived at our dock and saw Solastra, she was a sight for sore eyes! She looked better than ever! So clean and shiny… thanks to the help of a boat caretaker named, Pancho. He’d been keeping an eye on our boat while we were gone for the summer. He opened it up occasionally to let fresh air flow through the boat…in attempt to prevent mold, he cleaned the bottom when needed, and he washed and waxed  the boat and polished the stainless before we returned to the boat. He also retied and tightened her lines when a hurricane was expected. He did this all for a mere $30.00 a month. Such a deal! I was especially happy to see the stainless polished because this is usually always my job which is my least favorite thing to do….especially after being away from the boat for months!  After getting inside the boat we were happily surprised to see no mold only minor signs on the hatches and no signs of cockroaches! We did have a leak in one of the portholes in the salon and ...
Read more