Day 200 - The Updated Plan

It is hard to believe that we sailed under the Golden Gate 200 days ago.  It seems like yesterday.

The cruising community mantra is that "Plans are made in the sand.... - at low tide."   Rob refers to Plans being "flexible". I guess it's time for a new Plan. 

Before we left the Bay Area we thought we might join the spring Puddle Jump to the South Pacific.  The Puddle Jump is a loosely formed rally that departs from several places on the west coast of North and Central America around the March/April time.

There have been a series of seminars and gatherings in La Cruz and Paradise Village to support all the boats heading West.  Many of our sailing friends are now on their way, heading towards the South Pacific.

Many months ago Nancy and I decided not to do the Puddle Jump this year.  Why rush out of Mexico?  We are having such a great time here and we haven't even starting to explore the Sea of Cortez.

Our new plan, in the sand is:

• Return to Mazatlan for a quick visit and provision
• Sail across the Sea of Cortez to Baja Mexico
• Get settled in LaPaz at the end of April so we can bus to Cabo for a friends wedding
• Explore the Sea of Cortez May, June
• Fly back to the States early July
• Return in September
• Explore more of the Sea of Cortez before crossing to the mainland Mexico.

After some friends commented that our original photo "doesn't look anything like you", we've updated to this photo, taken while sailing Shindig on Banderas Bay.

Making Tracks on Banderas Bay

The new plotter has been keeping track of our tracks.

Many trips from Punta de Mita to LaCruz and back again.

Punta de Mita has been one of our favorite places to anchor.  It is a beautiful spot with good sand holding and there are three surf spots close by.

A typical day here include a "Ladies Paddle" after the morning net followed by a  "Dudes Surf".
In the afternoon many cruisers hang out on the beach and enjoy more water time and local food at the palapa restaurants.

I finally got my GoPro mounted to the board.  Here is some video from 3/30/2013 at El Faro (Lighthouse) Punta de Mita.

We kept the boat at Paradise Village Marina for the Banderas Bay Regatta.  This was a great place to be, close to the Vallarta Yacht Club and all the activities.  You can see tracks from all the races and the pre-starts near the beach.

The Banderas Bay Regatta

Adios Amigos!! Fair Winds and Good Seas.

The last week has been filled with more goodbyes, and reflections on how this cruising season has reached a significant milestone. It is time for new adventures.  There is movement in the water, as many of the sailors that we’ve met and enjoyed sharing time and friendships are leaving.  Some have headed home (planned or unexpectantly), others are already north in the Sea of Cortez, and several poised to leave for the South Pacific or Panama.  In the last 6 months, new couples relationships have developed, which is encouraging for the single folks!  Boat projects, provisioning for long passages (up to a month), goodbye dinners, have taken priority since the Banderas Bay Regatta.

Rob and I joined in the frenetic pace by renting a car yesterday.  It doesn’t seem monumental for our landlubber friends, but here in MX, we’ve been taking buses, a few taxis and walking to places.  A lot of the bigger stores in Banderas Bay are too far away to carry loads of goodies back to the boat. 

We spent a full day racing around the towns in our little Toyota Yaris.  Stops included Costco, Home Depot, Zaragoza (equiv to West Marine), Mega, the ATM,  the World of Meat, with several pit stops to unload the perishables onto the boat.  We took a brief rest and then invited friends to join us for dinner (via car!) in Bucerias where we shared a nice Mediterranean meal.  The car has since been returned, and the many pallets of items are now stored out of sight, in Shindig.  Our most guilty pleasures?  Locally made bratwursts which we’ll share tonight, and 36 all-turkey franks from Costco.   Can you tell I was hungry when we went shopping? 

Captain Michael with Patanjali hosted a goodbye party
En Route to South Pacific, >1200 miles out

Jim, our old dockmate from Sausalito, leaves on First Tracks for the South Pacific in a few days

Dinghy ride to Final farewell dinner with  John and Sue from Wizard

View of La Cruz Marina this am - lots of activity

In Costco, Rob caresses a large tub of mayonnaise

Crew from Kiapa in a more serious moment...heading to South Pacific next week  

John and Sue from Wizard with crew Mark:
leaving Friday for South Pacific

 

 

 

Banderas Bay Regatta

Shindig raced in the Banderas Bay Regatta this year.  This race is highlighted as the only Cruiser race around, which means many skippers are "sailing their homes".  The event is generously hosted by the Vallarta Yacht Club and many local sponsors.  There were 64 boats in 8 divisions.  We sailed in the "Cruising boats over 47 feet" with 7 others, including several of our friends' sailboats.

The race committee did a great job organizing the regatta and even included a practice day for starts. Everyday was followed by get togethers at the Vallarta Yacht Club, music, drinks and theme based delicious dinners.  A great way to celebrate an afternoon of sailing in this beautiful Banderas Bay.

Our buddy Dan from Sausalito and a new friend Mark, that we met in Punta de Mita, crewed;  the four of us got Shindig around the course in fine style.

Over the three days of racing, we got second in our division (1st, 2nd, 2nd), missing 1st by only 16 seconds in the last race. Our main competition was a Dawn 48 Ketch that was brilliantly sailed by Craig Chamberlain and his crew.  We enjoyed meeting Craig, Julie and their crew at the awards dinner on the sandy beach jetty at Paradise Village resort the last night.

Shindig had been on a diet leading up to the regatta.  Our fuel tank is 1/4 full as is our water tank.
We pulled off non racing gear above deck like the BBQ, paddle board and fishing poles.  She was mean and lean, and despite her onboard keyboard, cases of essential wine and snacks, she performed like a champion.

I'm also happy to report that there were no near misses, nor anything broken. 

A great time was had by all; we are looking forward to next year and another podium finish!

Nancy and Rob - on the way out for the boat parade on day 1

Team RED looking for the starting area

Captain Rob of Shindig and Captain Rigo of Heavy Metal celebrating at the Vallarta Yacht Club.

Ace Crew of Shindig (Nancy, Mark, Dan)

Reaching leg on Day 1

Starting on Day 2

Last leg on Day 2

Last leg on Day 2

Shindig leads around the windward mark on Day 2

Downwind finish on Day 3

Downwind finish on Day 3

Rob and Nancy at the awards ceremony

Shindig crew at the awards dinner after three days of racing - Still Smiling

Starting on day 2

What's "SUP"?!

We’ve spent the last month learning all about stand-up paddle boards (SUP).  They have taken over the surf breaks, surf shops and general water sports here in Banderas Bay.  Most of the cruising sailboats have one or two aboard and we’ve watched many inflatable kayaks get traded away to make space for SUPs.  Their versatility must drive the popularity; one can take them out in a marina, from an anchorage or into waves.  The learning curve is short, and we’ve found paddling is great exercise for upper body and core strength.  Here in Punta de Mita and La Cruz, there are a half dozen surf breaks, and probably a ratio of 2:1 SUP/surfers.  We happened to be here during the 4^th annual Longboard and SUP Classic, hosted in Sayulita last weekend.  What a fun colorful event to watch! 

Here are some photos of our newest sport.  By the time this is posted, we will have purchased a 2^nd board.  There are new storage racks installed on the side of Shindig, to house these toys.  And some tired cruisers who are looking forward to the next day of paddling.   

Early morning SUP in La Cruz Marina

Nancy and Rob paddle out to visit Barbara and David on sailboat Zoe

Sue and Marie eyeing the surf potential
 

Rob on surf break in Mita

Longboard and SUP Classic at Sayulita

 

Surfer/SUPer Marie

Matching pedicure and board graphics

Ladies SUP morning paddle in Mita anchorage
 

Buenas Dias! Sunrise at Mita anchorage

 

Mike and Linda Visit

We had a fun visit with our Bay Area friends, Mike and Linda. The itinerary was mostly the north part of  Banderas Bay, with initial stops in Paradise Village Marina, a couple nights on the anchorage of Punta de Mita, and several nights at La Cruz Marina.  We shared day trips to Bucerias, a slightly more upscale beach town with local color; Sayulita, the colorful funky surf/artsy town like no other; San Sebastian, a look back in time at an old silver mining town up in the hills.  More mundane but still colorful adventures included finding ATMs, riding local buses, and negotiating with beach vendors as we sipped cervezas under palapas.  Our cruising friends were excited to have a new couple to impress with their daily beach get togethers and nightly cockpit shindigs.  Linda and Mike wisely ended their Mexican stay with several quieter nights tucked up in the hills on La Cruz at a charming bed and breakfast. 

Nancy shows Linda how to operate the most important piece of equipment on any boat : The Head.

On the way to the best pizza in Punta de Mita (Mita'z Pizza)



Welcome to Paradise - Si Senor dinner in Mita

Custom margaritas made at the table to taste



Here is the Catch of the Day



Nancy and girlfriends on early morning Paddle boards in Punta de Mita

Just chillin'

Punta de Mita, La Cruz and back again

We're back to a week or two of real water play here in Banderas Bay.  After our trip home, we were eager to go exploring more of the greater bay, and actually don swim suits as our daily wear. 
Rob is getting very good at the SUP surfing.   We found a relaxing group of friends on the beaches of Punta de Mita (Mita for short) north of La Cruz.  Each day there would be radio talk on surf conditions and where to meet.  Several days a dinghy or two full of intrepid surfers, ages ranging from 10-65 would pile in with their boards, and head out to the 'happening' surf break.  Several hours later, usually after sunset, they would return, exhausted, but happy in their waveriding accomplishments.
I enjoyed exploring the small village of Mita, eyeing the dinner menus, possible sunset locations, and tiny tiendas as well as higher priced boutiques. Daily purchases would be fresh fruits and vegetables, but we enjoy dining out with friends each night.  With the nearby St Regis and Four Seasons, there is something for everyone.

Our Sailing buddies on a  reunion, margarita and dinner tour of La Cruz 

Victor completed our new cockpit cushions on time and on budget

Anclote (Anchor) Beach in Punta de Mita

The first of many fish taco plates 

Children's Mardi Gras parade in Punta de Mita

This is where we have been surfing at Anclote Beach.  The conditions here are perfect for  beginners.  You can catch waves all day.

Nancy and Elizabeth out for a morning paddle in La Cruz

Chicks on sticks - Cyn, Sue, Elizabeth and Nancy 

Nancy and Rob enjoying a day of sailing while Brian and Elizabeth captained our boat - Nice!