Well the long awaited pictures are coming. In Nov. we took a 12 hour bus ride from Mazatlan to the San Carlos area to hop on the Murray Grey. As you can see Lynn made himself at home behind the wheel of thier Beneteau.

The landscape and the fishing boats looked very similar to our own back yard up in B.C.

We did a overnighter with the agreement that both couples would do 4 hours on only problem being that Jim and myself were sick so Lynn and Bonnie did the overnighter. Arriving into Topolobampo. Once again we were shown a new way the Mexicians fish

We left Topolobampo early in the am to head into Los Mochis

Where we headed to one of the three Bus stations to travel up to El Fuerte where we would catch the Train to the Copper Canyon


Yes Lynn is the 1st one on the Bus with his Lonely Planet book in hand. We were the only ones on the bus for about 30 minutes. We picked up numerous people and some got off in the middle of nowhere the ride to El Fuerte was about 6 hours

Christmas in Victoria AND GETTING IN THE MOOD IN MAZATLAN

The house might not be as decorated as it has been in years past but i think the tree looks right at home! And you can not forget one of Bandit just cause i know you guys miss how cute she is!

We did numerous Christmas activities this year, 

after all of this we were in the Christmas mood.

Day of the dead part of a display at EL CID

Houses decorated for Halloween

To Hot to cook inside plus the corn did not taste like Taber Corn

El Cid Lobby and Marina Staff ball Game. Our Friend Poncho pitching he is pretty good

What Have We Been Up To

Since arriving back in Mazatlan we have been to a few Venados Baseball games, also a ball game with the El Cid employees from the Marina (they play in a commercial league). We took about 70 picture and had them printed for them. It made us a big hit with the players.

 

At the end of October we took part in the Day of the Dead activities which included following 3 beer carts ( were they were giving out free draft beer)pulled by donkeys around the old town. Included in the parade were fire works and lots of people in costumes.

Two weeks ago we took the overnight bus (12 hours) to Guaymas and met up with our friends on a boat called the Murray Gray and sailed 200 miles down the coast to Topolobambo, got on a bus and then a train and toured the Copper Canyon for a week. The trip also included a 60 km (one way)ride on a very rough 4 wheel drive road that was made from a donkey trail. Big drop off the edge and saw a few vehicles that had gone over and were still there. We then returned to Topolobambo and sailed another 200 miles to Mazatlan.

Today was a large Parade celebrating the 200 Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution. Lots of school bands and loud music.

More info to come as soon as Debbie has some computer time, but from what you can see we may need to go back to Victoria for a rest.

Back In Mazatlan

Arrived back here on Tuesday afternoon. The Westjet flight only had two empty seats so it would seem that the snowbirds are starting to migrate.

The boat seems to be fine, no issues with any systems yet and it was very clean (they washed it the morning we were coming back). We are not in a big hurry to put the cockpit enclosure or sails on yet as it was a year ago today that we sat thru the tail end of Hurricane Rick. Even though it has been a quiet hurricane season for the Eastern Pacific there is still time to get kicked with a storm. The temp is hanging around 30 degrees but the humidity has not been to bad. We are also back playing our favourite game.Try and find the stuff you but away 6 months ago and cannot remember were you put it. Kinda like Christmas when you find it.

It feels like one is coming home when we get back here.The staff are all glad to see you, and there are a few cruiser friends hanging around. And one can afford to go out for drinks and dinner.

Home in Victoria

We are now home in Victoria after spending a few days visiting family in Vancouver and are trying to adjust to 5 to 10 degree(C) temperatures. Wood stove is on and blankets are in use. We are catching up on yard work , house work , mail and friends in Victoria.

Dolphin Tales has been left in Mazatlan at the El Cid Marina again for the summer. We spent a fair amount of time getting the boat ready to leave and cleaned, checked or repaired anything that needed attention . Debbie also got a chance to use her sewing skills to repair the leach on the genoa. It had started to come undone and then the stitching let go for about 6ft.after it caught the spreader tip when cleaning the sail.

Back In Mazatlan

We are now back in Mazatlan, same slip we had before which is nice, and the same neighbours. We made a rather quick trip from La Cruz due to the rather unsettled weather. We did get picked on by one squall just off Chacala. We were about a mile or so out of the anchorage and got hit with 35-40 knots in 80 ft of water on a lee shore. We did manage to make some progress off the shore and ride it out for a  couple of hours until we got into the anchorage and set a stern anchor (but that is a whole other story). we had  really wanted to get close to this area.  

Our next stop was in San Blas at the marina downtown, new marina and we paid about $15 a night. 

Then a 25 hour motor sail / motorboat ride to Mazatlan with winds and waves on the nose.  We met the

 skipper of a power boat called Patty M they also berth at El Cid right behind us. They left San Blas the same time we did only to arrive 12 hours earlier then us.

And yes Debbie is working on pictures.