January 2014 - finally!

Tanque de Tiburon Sail Log 2014

 

January 15 – arrived San Carlos – finally!  Edward Bottomley was visiting town for a week so we entertained him at a few of our local haunts – along with seeing some cruiser and local friends – s/v Sea Bourne’s Ron and Beryl, s/v Yemaya’s Bob and Bev and some new folks.  Plus seeing Folker’s a little as they came and went as well.  Joan brought her sister Nancy down, who flew in to AZ from Montana – and we all attended the Ladies’ Luncheon to benefit SPCA, the local dog and cat rescue project. Within the week, we were able to hit Capt’s Club a few times – to include pizza, Soggy Peso for a beer, La Palapa to hear Mark Mulligan play twice, the Edge for a burger, La Esquina for a great pizza and the Paradiso for the luncheon just for the girls.  Obviously, I don’t cook much when we are in a marina.  And we had some Guaymas chores to include new boat batteries x6, some provisioning at Walmart, Telcel for a Mexican phone and the Guaymas marina.

 The Paradiso Bay behind Soggy Peso Bar at Sunset.

 Even beach horses are served at the Soggy Peso!

 At the SPCA (Dog and Cat rescue) Luncheon with 396 of my best friends...and Nancy, Joan (with MAx) ...and me. I look like a giant with these lovely girls!

 Friend Sheila  decorated a table and modeled (see below) along her rescue dog, Maximo Valentino - the dog which I may steal one day when she is not looking.

 

 

January 23 dawned and it was time to go.  We put the car to bed at Tom and Joan’s the night before (thanks you two)  and found new dock friends on s/v Indara who got up at 0700 to send us off and handle a few lines.  It was an easy exit, no trauma or drama! Although we left with .66 feet under the keep….close!  High tide was at 0300, too dark to depart so we snuck at as the tide was dropping and did fine. 

A fairly unremarkable crossing and even had some 100%, no-engine sailing in for a change – about 6 hours in the 24 hour crossing from Marina San Carlos to Isla Coronado.  We kept the sails up and both the main and jib did well, reefed the main at dusk per usual.  It was a fairly flat sea and the wind range was 5-12 knots.  We got a little sleep with sharing watches.  Otto, the auto-pilot worked well except one brief hiccup where he quit under sail and we did a circle before we got back on track – with the motor back on.  But the winds had dropped to 5 knots so our speed had dropped to 3 knots, so time for some man-made power, anyway.  The daylight run was smooth and pleasant, albeit a little cool.  After dark,  it warmed and no jackets needed – just a sweat shirt and socks.  .  Bill was able to catch a U of A basketball game on Sirius radio – so that was HIS watch time while I warmed pea soup for dinner! The moon did not rise until about 0300 so it was pretty dark with a few horizon lights and 1-2 very distant boat lights.  Otherwise, we saw no one “out there”. 

As the sun came up about 0630 on the 24th, we were passing Isla Coronado, heading around to the south to find the protected anchorage.  Normally we go to the west beach “hook” with its pretty white sand beach.  A little “norther” is predicted for a few days so we opted for a safer, calmer anchorage to sit it out a few days.  We hauled in the jib and main and made a direct shot into a deserted anchorage and dropped the hook in about 12’ of water and settled in – looking forward to breakfast, coffee/tea and hot, engine-warmed water for showers. Oh, and a nap. A lazy day being had to relax.  Probably watch some DVD’s tonight.

Bill working on the engine log in the hatchway.

                                                Sails up and clouds at sunset.

 Gorgeous double rainbow at sunrise over Isla Coronado, where we anchored off around to the left.

Cockpit seating for two.  Love these chairs and my beach towel covers make them a bit easier to keep clean and less sweat in the summer!

Had a large group of  dolphins circling the boat at anchor a few minutes ago - mostly lazing but a few auditioning for Sea World.  Musta confused us with the m/v Shamu? Pics later!

Wifi off Loreto, so last chance to catch up on news and family and friends.

Baby and Wedding

                              Baby Update and Wedding Report


The baby has grown, Bill III and Cris got married (Atlanta, October) and we have had an exciting few months at the Sharktank (home) as well as Tanque de Tiburon (da boat). 

First, Ms Mina Rose is now 8 months old.  She has been a doll and we have enjoyed some visits to Mesa to play with the baby and a little babysitting, as well. Here is a flash update in pics:

Here first portrait at 7 days:

 She did a lot of this:

Amber helped me babysit for a week in August, I think,,,altho, refused diaper duty...

oh, Mina had a brace on for 2 months for a potential hip dysplasia - which has thankfully resolved thanks to Cristy's diligence in using the brace 24/7 - it did make diaper changing a challenge. 

 After the June-July 3 week sail with Grandma and Grandpa (see prior Blog), We took Dan home and visited daughter Marty, Amber and Chase en tow. Here are the kids including Dan's sister, Jamie - Michael is now away with the USMC!  A&C stayed another week before they flew home to Dallas.

                                  Ok now Mina is ready -  football season prep for her dad:

                                                   Halloween as Snow White:

                                                            Swim lessons started:

                                               7 months check-up:  22.5# and 96% of chunky:

                                                             With Grandma (Linda):

                                 Christmas eve with the Galaviz'....Xzavier spends a few days
                                            a week with them and turned 2 in August:

                                        Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa in Sierra Vista:

                                                             Posing under out tree:

                                        And now on to shopping.  Yes, I guess it is in the genes....:

                                                         Cristy and Mina out to lunch:

And Grandma gets another few days of babysitting in Mesa in January - 

before we head south to sail for the spring. :-)

On to the BIG wedding! 

 Last year was Cristy and Tony in Maui and this year, Bill III and Cris tied the knot Oct 11th in Atlanta.  The did a first class job at organizing the gathering and the events. Here is the final product:

 And the whole wedding party below.  Cris' family is Brazilian so had people from Miami and Brazil.  Her nieces were the flower girls and were adorable. The Pattison clan also gathered from all over.  Pattison's on the right except Chase who joined his new Brazilian buddy on the left.

 We stayed a few days after with Bill as Cris had to fly back to Miami as she is in a 27 month nurse anesthetist (CRNA) program there. This is the perfect couple - totally in love and it shows, super smart, motivated, working hard at their careers and spending time with family. They are also a  very cute couple.  We are proud of them. Had a great time at the wedding.

 Cris' sister and mom sent US flowers to the house!  Thanks!

                               We lunched and toured Atlanta with Bill III - had a great time!

Back to the wedding events:

                                       Here we were at the wedding rehearsal dinner:
                                                   Bill and his sisters - Vicky, Tiffany, Bill and Marty.

        And here are the grand kids that attended - Jamie, Rylie, Daniel, Chase, Michael (USMC) and Amber.

Now for the the three girls with Dad:

                                            Then there was us....

                               Wedding day arrived and we are waiting for the event to start......
                                          here is Jamie, Chase, Dan, Amber and Michael's GF Diana.

                                             Goofing off with Dad - that's Marty!

                                                   Rylie,Amber, Linda.....

                                          Waiting for the Bride and Groom ..... with Chase.
                         Lindsey, Vicky's husband and Chase' dad behind....and then there is Dan :-) .....LOL.

                      Ok Cris you can smile now.  What was Bill looking for - a way out?  Too late!

                                MY wedding dress I found last year in La Paz....worked perfect.

                                      Dan, Amber and Chase hanging out after the ceremony.

                                          The reception tables were gorgeous - loved all the roses!

                                                          And then there was cake...

                               Chase was the star dancer of the evening. Little Wild Man.
                                               Grandpa led the Conga Line, though.

                                         Oh yeah, there goes Chase again.  LOVES to dance.

 Even Aunt Karen flew out from TUC (Bill's sister) and here she is entertaining one of the flower girls.

                              Picnic the next day at Bill and Cris'....musta wore out Michael and Diana?

 

 Back to the Atlanta touring with Bill III....This is the Olympic park from 1996 (I was there then, too).

 At the Atlanta Aquarium - pretty awesome place. They have several huge whale sharks in a pretty gigantic tank. BTW, you can actually scuba dive with them. (We look forward to natural sightings in the Baja again...maybe swim with them.)

 At the top of the world...at the rotating restaurant on top the Wyndam, I think.  What a view.

Happy New Year!  We head south in a few weeks and back to sail blogging....