Well, this is the final blog until April... Tomorrow we fly back to Canada for the ski season (and Tim Hortons coffee, WhiteSpot Hamburgers and Peter's Mom's home cooking!!!!!).
Photos of Di and Peter in the pool at El Cid - in between boat projects
Our week in La Paz was productive with Peter picking up new boat parts and doing maintenance. I had a skin suit made (for sun and jellyfish protection). My rule for everything on the boat is that it has to have at least 2 or three purposes...so being ever practical I can also use it as a Halloween costume! I just love my Austin Powers outfit...it just reconfirmed for Peter though that I am indeed wild and crazy!
This will definitely scare away jellyfish!
The highlight in La Paz was the overnight we spent with Liz and Bob – the owners of Rancho La Venta. We had planned on going horse-back riding and then they were going to join us for the next 4 days to do some sailing and the crossing over to Mazatlan. After a great afternoon catching up and seeing all their renovations, we were just about to have dinner when Liz received via email (the only means of communication in their remote mountain home) the tragic news that her 16-year old nephew had just been killed in a car accident. So very, very sad. Needless to say they didn’t come with us and instead caught a flight to New York to be with their family for the funeral.
We left the next morning and spent our last two nights before crossing at two of our favourite anchorages. Here’s a shot of Ballandra Bay at sunset. Truly a magical place.
We left the next morning and spent our last two nights before crossing at two of our favourite anchorages. Here’s a shot of Ballandra Bay at sunset. Truly a magical place.
Our final anchorage of this season was spent at the Bay of Dreams, which is extra special because we celebrated our 30th anniversary there in April this year. This is a picture from the restaurant that was actually taken by Bill on Contigo from last fall. He sent it over to us when we got together a few weeks ago in San Carlos. (Peter is proudly wearing his green t-shirt which he earned for winning our division in the Baja Ha Ha Race).
I’m thrilled to report that our 40-hour crossing over to Mazatlan went well. No yelling or screaming (Ian you would be so proud of Peter – we actually double-reefed!). We had awesome 25 knot plus winds and a following sea. It was quite choppy, with 6 foot swells and a one to two foot wave on top, but no scary episodes. Perhaps I'm actually getting more comfortable in the open seas.
QuickStar - far right
QuickStar - far right
An overview of one of the two pools at the El Cid Marina Resort
We have spent this last week in the El Cid Marina here in Mazatlan. Fabulous resort marina, where we will be leaving the boat tucked in for the next 3 months then it will be taken to the boat yard for about 2 months for repairs, servicing, and enhancements.
I’ve been asked to post some pictures of the inside of the boat…so here goes.
I’ve been asked to post some pictures of the inside of the boat…so here goes.
Guest Cabin Workroom/laundry cabin
My Princess Cabin that Peter built for us. The salon
One of the two heads - you shower with the sink faucet.
View from the companionway stairs View from my Princess Cabin
We will be leaving tomorrow for Ontario for 10 days to catch up with family and friends and then will be flying directly to Silver Star to spend the next 5 months there for the ski season. People here think we are crazy for going to Canada for the winter but we want to see the kids, watch some hockey (Peter is going through withdrawal) and do lots of skiing. We love living in Silver Star and have made some good friends there.
It is with mixed feelings that we say goodbye to QuickStar, as we have had an incredible seven months here in the Sea of Cortez. Lots of great memories and new friends. We've learned some Spanish and will keep working at it over the winter. It’s hard to believe that it was a year ago that we sailed down from California in the Baja Ha Ha race with Joe, Krys, and Les. Bill just sent me this photo of the Canadian contingent at the starting party. Too much fun and yes, it did really hurt to get my belly button pierced! (Les is 2nd from left, Krys is 3rd from the left - I'm beside her, Peter is behind me and Joe is scratching his head wondering what he got himself in for!).
Thanks for dropping by our blog and checking up on us from time to time. I will resume it again in April when we fly back to cruise next season. Right now we are not sure if we are going to cruise Central America or if we are going to the Galapagos Islands and then onwards to the South Pacific. Such a big, exciting world to discover! Have yourself an awesome winter.
Our farewell party on the boat with our B.C. friends Marnie and Peter of 2 Pieces of Eight. They also belong to the Blue Water Cruising Association. We met them about two years ago when we were all "dreamers and planners" in the organization. We are now officially "doers"
It is with mixed feelings that we say goodbye to QuickStar, as we have had an incredible seven months here in the Sea of Cortez. Lots of great memories and new friends. We've learned some Spanish and will keep working at it over the winter. It’s hard to believe that it was a year ago that we sailed down from California in the Baja Ha Ha race with Joe, Krys, and Les. Bill just sent me this photo of the Canadian contingent at the starting party. Too much fun and yes, it did really hurt to get my belly button pierced! (Les is 2nd from left, Krys is 3rd from the left - I'm beside her, Peter is behind me and Joe is scratching his head wondering what he got himself in for!).
Thanks for dropping by our blog and checking up on us from time to time. I will resume it again in April when we fly back to cruise next season. Right now we are not sure if we are going to cruise Central America or if we are going to the Galapagos Islands and then onwards to the South Pacific. Such a big, exciting world to discover! Have yourself an awesome winter.
Our farewell party on the boat with our B.C. friends Marnie and Peter of 2 Pieces of Eight. They also belong to the Blue Water Cruising Association. We met them about two years ago when we were all "dreamers and planners" in the organization. We are now officially "doers"
Until next spring....Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not. Ralph Waldo Emerson.
