A Day in the Life

Dad and I have now been in La Paz for over a month and are still continuing to find new and exciting things to do each day. We normally go our separate ways after breakfast in the morning (hence why I only have pictures of my activies, Dad still struggles with the concept of bringing his camera everywhere and constantly snapping shots...haven't I taught him anything?) Anyway, we both continue to find a variety of things to do each day. Dad is currently helping our friend, Joel, build a new dinghy (you just can't take the handyman out of 'em) and also continues to work on little odds and ends on the boat. He's found various different restaurants and claims to have eaten a burrito the size of a dinner plate...he doesn't have pictures (what else is new), so I don't know if I actually believe him.

Each day I walk into the city (it's about a 45 minute walk) where I read while drinking tea and listening to Christmas music. It's weird hearing Dean Martin sing "Baby, It's Cold Outside" when it's 80 degrees and I'm in a sundress. I do love the warm climate, but I'm looking forward to going home where these lyrics make a little more sense. It just doesn't feel like Christmas without the Oregon rain. During one of my walks to town, I found this "Volkswagen Bug" (the two seater version, haha)

As if the Volkswagen Bug isn't small enough as it is...



Me next to the infamous "Mushroom Rock"



I've made some new friends now that we've been down here for a while and with them I explore La Paz (they live here, so it's great to see the city through the eyes of locals) and work on my Spanish. Two weeks ago, Angel (one of my new friends) took me to Balandra Beach. This is a popular place for cruisers (there is an anchorage right in front) and locals. Here we took tons of pictures of the vibrant blue water, found whole sea shells (something I've never experienced back home), and walked barefoot through the sand. It was a great day and the weather was beautiful (but wait, isn't everyday beautiful down here?!)



Balandra Beach Anchorage



Me in the Sea of Cortez at Balandra Beach



Along with the variety of Christmas Festivities that are happening down here, there have also been a couple of parades. Although I'm not sure of the reasoning or significance of a lot of them, the pictures are still great anyway. Just add it to the list of things that I've been enjoying as a "local tourist."

A group of women prepare to join the parade

All ages enjoyed the parade festivities



I have also manged to participate in another day of baking. Vivien and I decided that before I left we needed to bake Christmas cookies. With our oatmeal, raisins, almonds, and cinnamon we made decadent desserts that we handed out as early Christmas gifts. I also used my artistic abilities and decorated plates for the delicious gifts. It was another great day full of laughter, art, Christmas music, and cookies.

One of my Christmas plate drawings

Christmas Cookies!

Another Kelly original (Christmas in La Paz...Snowman and cacti)

La Paz Welcomes the Ha-Ha

On November 18th, those who participated in the Baja Ha-Ha were invited to a local restaurant for a "Welcome to La Paz" party. Along with 150 of our closest Ha-Ha friends, we enjoyed a night full of fish tacos (Dad tried the octopus, too...he definitely regretted that decision later) margaritas, and mariachis. It was a lot of fun and a great way to reconnect with many of our new friends.

The venue before the party

A local children's dance group performed for us

Part of the anchorage during sunset

Me and Vivien

Dad and Gary

Dad, Me, and Gary

Dad, Me, and Mike

"I won! I won!" There was also raffle drawings throughout the night
and I won Dad a new hat. (Apparently amidst my excitement
Dad struggled to hold the camera still...)

Me and Bob

The Mariachi's played for our table

A beautiful sunset to add to the night

Baking on a Boat

While in San Diego, I had my first tour of a boat, other than Sea Chaser. During this tour, I was pleasantly surprised to find that regular cruising boats generally have full kitchens ("gallies" in boating terms) including small ovens. Keeping in mind that since we left Coos Bay, I've been wanting to bake cookies (but, unfortunately, Sea Chaser doesn't have the capabilities to do so). So, as a means to satisfy my sweet tooth, I've taken it upon myself to invade a variety of our dock neighbors and use their mini-ovens for baking a variety of decadent desserts.

My first boat baking experience happened on So Inclined, a 36 ft. Catalina. Mike (the Captain/owner) and his crew/friend Bob are bachelors and were needing a cookie fix just as bad as I was. I met Mike during the Ha-Ha and told him once the rally was over I was going to invade his boat to bake cookies (he didn't object). With open arms he welcomed me aboard and we attempted our first batch of chocolate chip cookies (that's right, I said our first batch...we ended up baking on two separate occasions. The first 4 dozen just wasn't enough.) I don't think I've laughed that hard in weeks!

Me and Mike combining the ingredients

Mike and Bob stirring the batter

The "Cookie Crew" awaiting the fresh chocolate chip cookies

 My second boat baking experience was, once again, on So Inclined. Our first batch of chocolate chip cookies was slightly disappointing because they ended up too cakey (although this minor "defect" didn't prevent us from finishing them off. But, we had to choke them down and were highly unsatisfied...haha). So, during baking day 2 we used butter instead of margarine, added oatmeal, raisins, and cinnamon and made a much more satisfying batch. Mike added to the baking (and proved his ability to multitask) by making us chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, and mimosas for brunch...another great day in La Paz.

Mike and I enjoying Mimosas

Mike, Me, and Bob waiting for the cookies to bake

My third and final (for now) baking on a boat experience was aboard Lady Ann a 37 ft. Irwin. Dad and I met owners Vivien and Joel back in Channel Islands Harbor and have continued to stay in contact ever since. This sailing husband and wife participated in the Ha-Ha and are now docked just 3 slips down from us in La Paz. We've really enjoyed their company during a significant part of this adventure (and now I've been able to enjoy their oven, too). During our separate journeys, both Vivien and myself celebrated our birthdays (mine 10/28 and Vivien's 11/15). Both of us were quite bitter about the fact that neither one received birthday cakes so we brought it upon ourselves to bake our own. So, we preheated the oven, mixed up the batter and made a delicious chocolate birthday cake with chocolate frosting. While we waited for the chocolate cake to bake we also decided to whip up a pumpkin pie as well...just because it's that time of year. Another successful baking day aboard a boat.

Vivien and I cut our bithday cake together

We also enjoyed some cake batter

I eat my first piece of b-day cake

Perfect and Peaceful La Paz

 After over 2.5 months of sailing down the Oregon, California, and Baja Coastlines we've finally made it to our final destination, La Paz. It's truly everything we could have asked for and more. We are in a beautiful marina just outside the city and the weather is perfect everyday. With 85 degree days and 65 degree nights it's more than comfortable (even though the locals are starting to bundle up for winter, Dad and I are loving these temperatures.)

Me in front of a fountain in the city

Overlooking the bay and anchorage

La Iglesia (the church)



Dad under the street sign "5 de Mayo"
(which means May 5th...his birthday!)







Our new home-away-from-home (Marina Palmira)

Each day we continue to explore more (and learn more, too). I've taken it upon myself to use this time in Mexico as a refresher course for my high school Spanish skills. I take every chance I get to chat with the locals as I attempt to re-learn. So far so good. I've also been participating in weekly Yoga classes and spending time with a variety of people that I've met (both during the Ha-Ha and more recently on our dock).

Me, Dad, Joel, Vivien, and Mike (lobster dinner with friends)

Dad and I getting ready to eat our lobster

My lobster dinner

 Dad and I have managed to find numerous grocery stores, including an open air market with butchers (the pig heads and raw meat caught us both off guard the first time) and produce. Dad is still in search to find where the locals eat, although I'm enjoying the food at the fancy tourist restaurants quite a bit. I have also explored a couple of the local fabric stores and coffee shops, as well. After a few weeks here, I am finally beginning to feel familiar with the city and know where a variety of stores and markets are (without having to use a map). Dad is also getting his bearings (using Burger King as his central location...hey, whatever works.)

La Paz is surrounded by beautiful anchorages that are just a day sail away. Hopefully once we feel a little more settled, we will take a trip out to enjoy the snorkeling and warm waters of the Sea. For now, though, we are still enjoying the security of being tied up and the marina life. Dad has decided to stay here for 4-6 more months and is looking forward to learning more about the city, the local life, and the Sea of Cortez. I will be returning back to Portland in December and can't wait to see family and friends for the holidays.

La Paz continues to be exciting each day and is the perfect end of this adventure for me and perfect beginning of a new adventure for Dad.

Dad with his favorite statue



Dad and I in front of the Sea of Cortez



Puerto Los Cabos

Our marina's flag

The new marina, Puerto Los Cabos

After spending 4 days in Cabo San Lucas, we started our journey up the Sea of Cortez...our vacation was finally beginning. We decided to make our first stop San Jose del Cabo a mere 19 miles from Cabo San Lucas. Here, a brand new marina has been built complete with water, electricity, and a fuel dock. We were pleasantly surprised by the amount of Baja Ha-Ha boats at this marina and were able to reconnect with a few of our friends that we had lost touch with among the hustle and bustle of Cabo.

At our new marina, we washed Sea Chaser, took showers (our first real showers since San Diego!) and re-provisioned our food stash (aka PB&J). Although we would have liked to spend more time here, weather conditions pushed us forward to our final destination of La Paz.

Other boats at the marina

Sea Chaser tied up to the dock



More marina views

One of the greatest features of this up and coming marina were the paintings and sculptures from artist, Leonora Carrington, that lined the path to the main office. We thoroughly enjoyed our brief stay at this  marina and were happy to be able to spend a couple of nights tied up to it's steady docks.

One of the many sculptures

Me in front of our dock's gate



Me with one of Leonora Carrington's sculptures