3/6/15

I went to the farmers market with my friend from New Zealand. She was helping me try to figure out what options we have as far as the boat is concerned and what we should do next.  They have crossed the pacific multiple times and are so calm and honest about sailing. She told me during the crossing she would've sold the boat for one dollar, I know what she means and I have not been on the boat for 3-5 weeks without stopping. Sounds terrible to me. We got some tea and bought a bunch of produce, it was a great morning. They are leaving for the island tomorrow. 

Later in the evening we had our friend Jim (who is Australian) over for supper and beers. He too had a lot of advice about sailing and raising children, it's nice to talk it over with people. He ended up staying until 11 which is super late for us but was a lot of fun.

3/7/15

Right after we met our new friends at the dock I was trying to untie the boat and a piece of the dock (a big piece) went under my pointer finger nail on my left hand like all the way to the moon. Geez I looked down and was like this can't be happening. I quickly pulled it out and Paul was like what and I showed him the piece and said that was in my nail and showed him and I thought he was going to pass out. He was like oh my god that is like torture stuff, that as got to hurt so bad on and on I was like please stop talking about how awful it is I am living it right now. So it was bleeding and had it's own pulse but for how gross and gut wrenching something like that seems it hurt for awhile but it wasn't unbearable like I thought it would be and even a day later I am feeling much better.

We went on our new friends (who are from Norway) boat last evening. They bought the boat here and have been working on it for the last 5 weeks trying to get ready to cross the Pacific to the Marquesas. It is nice for Europeans because they can go there without having to pay thousands of dollars and they can stay longer. I guess I understand not wanting American's there trashing the place. So anyways we had a few drinks with them and sipped some Mescal (it sounds much worse than it is) . It was like strong Tequila and then you bite into an orange with chili pepper on it after the sips, we liked it. We shared sailing stories and made fun of some of the antics that go on down here. It is like a retirement community, which is great, but they do some funny stuff. For instance, the 'net' I told you about before is at 8am every morning but Sunday. If it is even 20 seconds after 8 and it hasn't started the old folks are getting on saying, "is there a net today or what?" It's hilarious. but really they are all very nice to us and Oliver just some things make us laugh. After that we ran over to the park for Oliver to play since Sunday nights are big down here for families being outside.

My nail, you can see the red how it almost touches the moon, that is how far the wood went down

3/9/15

I booked our tickets to Minnesota today!! I am so excited I can barely stand it. We are going to put our boat at a place further up the Sea of Cortez, called Guaymas and then go see my Grandparents who only live (in Mexico) 3 hours from there on the water. I have never been to their casita so we are so pumped! We will stay with them for a bit and then head back to the states. 

We are going to put the boat up for sale and see what this summer brings us. If the boat sells that will be great and if it doesn't we may consider sailing another season next fall. So now we are trying to get everything together to leave here within 2 days. We are going to try to find those whale sharks again tomorrow morning with our friends from Norway. We got our park pass for the island we will be spending the next week or more at, I got new fins for snorkeling, boys got haircuts (from me), and all laundry done. The sun is finally back out, it was cloudy for a few days so I want to be outside too.

We actually ended up going to this beach in the evening that had two palm trees close enough for us to use our slackline. For those of you who don't know what that is it is basically like a thick tightrope you put between trees and it's a lot of fun to try to walk across without falling.

I have given in to drinking coffee. I have had a few cups throughout my life but now I am trying to make it a daily ritual. It just gets you going (you all know). So coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon seems to keep me upright. 

3/10/15

We finally got to swim with a whale shark!!! It was so awesome even though they just swim around. We'll get a video up next time I blog of it. It was probably 25-30 feet long and they are super wide too. We saw a lot of dolphins first and tried to jump in with them but as usual they just swam away but we could hear them 'talking' and I just love that. We went out with our friends from Norway and basically just followed the panga around until they found one and jumped in with them. For how big they are they swim pretty fast so we just took turns driving the dinghy and swimming with it.

We have to do some last minute grocery shopping right now and then our friends are coming over to see our boat and play some cards/games tonight.

We will leave La Paz tomorrow around noon. We are not sure how long we will be gone or if we will have any internet so don't worry if it's a few weeks before my next post. Adios!

Some friends gave Oliver a real coconut they got down off a local tree so the boys ripped it apart and drilled into the middle to drink the fresh coconut water out of it

Sunset from beach, so many boats anchored here

Slacklining 

3/2/15

I had seen some women doing yoga the other day so I wanted to figure out when they started and did today on the 'net'. We rushed off the boat and I was able to join them at 830 for an hour which was great. It wasn't too hard and not too easy either. Then Paul went to drop off the canvas we have that needs a little repair and we met up after for coffee with the other cruiser at their 'club'. They have coffee every morning after the net I told you about before. They have a ton of books and dvds you can borrow or trade. We met up with a retired chiropractor who we thought had worked more down here but it was still nice for Paul to talk to him and network some. We also met a lady who said there is a massage therapist who works out of her apartment who would love to meet Paul so that is good. It is hard though because we want to leave but kind of stay, we don't know. We will at least leave for the island for a week or so pretty soon. 

After that we came back for lunch and a nap which was great, we kind of have a routine which bores me in a way but I know I have nothing to complain about. It rained while we slept so we had to close the boat up. Then while cleaning up our neighbor with a 55 ft catamaran came over to ask if we'd like to come over for tea (he is Australian) so we of course said yes and headed over. What a boat. It is bigger than our old apartment. It has 4 rooms and at least 2-3 bathrooms, a nice living area, table and chairs, full kitchen, washer/dryer. I was blown away. I had been in one before but only at a boat show and those are even more incredible because they are brand new and perfectly set. Anyways, we had a great time, he is so nice (his wife flew back to Australia for a bit). Once Oliver started being destructive we left but not after jumping on the nets in the front, I got a good picture of Oliver. It has been overcast today but it's a nice break honestly from the hot sun. Then we had a light supper and headed on land to run around before bed. 

Jumping on the nets

Visiting with our friend Jim on his cat

Oliver helping our friend Erik to clean his boat before they left La Paz

We saw a Sea Shepherd boat!! We tried to make a donation of a case of Pacifico but they couldn't have beer on the boat:( They are up here doing research on the worlds smallest dolphin which is going extinct.

3/6/15

I was sick the last two days and still am today but getting better. Nothing too terrible but either a runny nose or a lot of congestion and a sore throat. I didn't even leave the boat for almost 48 hours. Then after supper Paul tells me he feels like he is going throw up and he did on/off for a few hours before being able to fall asleep. Poor Oliver both parents sick. Luckily yesterday when Paul woke up he felt fine. Oliver has no signs of anything and I haven't thrown up so whatever Paul ate his body specifically rejected. 

We walked around town since Paul needed to get one of our radios fixed and we found a really pretty cathedral which was having a lot of work done.

We also found...drumroll please...a Dairy Queen. I was so happy, I love that place and am not in favor of a lot of sugar, especially if you are sick, but I couldn't resist. It was a great surprise and treat.

Inside of cathedral

We are trying to figure out our game plan. I think we will for sure leave La Paz within the next 3 days. We are having our neighbor over tomorrow for supper and then as long as everyone is in good health we should be free to go. 

We are also emailing some marinas to try to see if we can leave our boat there for hurricane season and fly back to Minnesota to stay for those months (and work) and then do one more season so we can get down towards Costa Rica and what not. We will see, just trying to see what our options are. I would really like to be able to see family and friends, I miss everyone:)

Oliver and I heading into town in our dinghy 'car'

Snuggling on the boat