Cuisers

Before I go any further with Z-town (jake's nickname for it) I want to tell you all about our other family. I really had no idea what this would be like and Paul has continually told me that it is like an RV park except its on the water and he right. As a child my Grandparents kept a camping trailer at the same campground for years Lake-in-the-Woods in Pennsylvania. All their long-time friends did the same, the women would get together and they'd all share in big meals, the men would sit at the fire and talk forever, this is the same without the fire of course. Most everyone in the anchorage is from up North whether it be the States or Canada, and they are your neighbors, you see them everyday, join them in activities and become incredibly fast but good friends. Every morning you wake up to listen to the "Cruisers Net" first there is the Baja Net which has the weather from Don up in CA which is ever so important, then you have your local net which all this is coming over your radio. There is a controller usually a volunteer within the fleet. The net is great, every boat checks in each day, and notifies the net when you are leaving that port and where you are going to next, so if by chance you have a problem the rest of the world can find your last known location. The controller will ask if there are any lost and found items, we lost a handheld vhf radio and dinghy anchor in Tenacatita and broad-casted for their return if anyone saw them floating by-unfortunately the old man of the sea added those two items to his personal collection. They also have "treasures of the bilge". We needed wheels for our dinghy and lucky for us another cruiser "Enchantress" had a set, which worked perfect for us. In Mexico you only trade you don't sell, the expression is "trade for coconuts" Also on the local net is where you can find medical and shopping information along with daily activities, such as volleyball, dinner in town, etc. My first day back I actually woke up expecting to listen to radio for the happenings, and was very disappointed that until I return to the boat I would have to settle for the local news here in Phoenix, rather depressing. Cruisers are an amazing group, lending services and help to those around them in Port and to the towns that so graciously let them invade their bays and enjoy their beautiful sandy beaches.

Ixtapa/Z-What

After Leaving Barre Navidad we traveled on and stopped in a little village that had such a rolly anchorage that we gave up and pulled anchor within 30 mins and I got my first overnighter experience. We traveled onto Zhuatenejo and what a place that is! We arrived in time for Sail Fest Week, which if you are going to Z-what then that is the time to visit. Rick's Bar owned by Canadian Rick and his wife have to go to spot in town, they also host a good portion of the events for sail-fest. Sail-fest raises money for the school which teaches the Indian children from the mountain villages to speak Spanish along with their own dialect so that they may attend the public schools in Mexico (all children who attend school must speak Spanish in order to be enrolled). We signed up the boat for the Sail Parade to take on 6 passengers and what a hoot that was. We ended up with 5 Canadian guests, who have attended sail-fest in the past and they were wonderful. Paul even allowed Jimmy to drive the boat! Once your passengers are loaded by dinghy then you head of the bay and wait for the line to form which since there are about 40-50 boats involved this can take a little while. As soon as we are lined-up we make the trip back into the bay and then back up to Ixtapa and through their bay. The Port Captain places his boat at the end of the bay and signals off to you and you are on your way for a free sail. The Port Captain is a remarkable man he is credited with 400 lives saved and 1 dog alone. The most in the world!

it looks as if a great time was had by all!!

I will continue again tomorrow with more updates!!

Steve and the wine

Friends

Laury from Pacific Wind. Paul and Jake became friends with Laury & Steve from the sailing vessel Pacific Wind, so for Christmas the two boats came together and between them combining their stores they were able to make a nice Christmas Dinner of bbq steaks with ceasar salad, brownies and chilchilean wine.