Christmas in Barra de Navidada

We've been enjoying our stay in Barra Lagoon watching the beautiful sunrises, on occasion, having morning croissants delivered to the boat by the "French Baker", and visiting with friends. Mac has also had her yearly heart check up and stress test in Manzanillo and passed with flying colors...great news! Alan played at open mike at "Pipers" and of course there's always dinner with friends. Christmas was spent with over 50 members of our cruising family with turkey, ham and all the delicious dishes. We had a "White Elephant" gift exchange which is always is hoot. Plans are to stay here in Barra until New Years Day then head to Zihuatanejo where we will be meeting up with Brother John and Stephanie on January 10th. It will be great to see them and spent time with them.

Another beautiful sunrise in the Barra Lagoon....

We love watching the pelicans......one of our favorite birds.


Celebration Jim's Birthday

Left then around the table: Lupita, John "Jonco Marine Services", Jim, Susan "SV Windward Bound", Tom, Joann "MV Misty Seas", Mac, Alan "SV Effie"

Alan singing at Piper's Bar.

Christmas Eve Dinner: Front Darryl, Rita "SV Overheated",

Right Kim, Linda "SV Endeavor" Left Alan, Mac "SV Effie"

Alan doing a great job carving the turkeys and ham for the Christmas Potluck.....

La Cruz, Tenacatita, and Bara de Navidad

Alan had fun playing guitar and singing at the Sunday jam session at Ana Banana's and on Tuesday night at Britannia's so with sad goodbyes it was time to leave La Cruz. Jane from "Anticipation" joined us at the fuel docks in La Cruz on Wednesday morning and we headed for Tenacatita. Jane and Alan had fun fishing on the way down but only had one catch, a Dorado, that got away. We had a little more wind and rougher seas than anticipated but we arrived safe and sound in Tenacatita just as the sun came up on Thursday. Joann and Ryan got in their kayak and came over for a visit, it was great to see them, and they brought us some nice lobster, what a treat.

Stayed at anchor in Tenacatita on Friday and just enjoyed the anchorage, of course Jane and Alan did some fishing. On Saturday we headed over to the other side of Tenacatita Bay by the aquarium and closer to Joann and Ryan's motor home. We went snorkeling in the aquarium and had a wonderful time, the water was 80 degrees. We all went out to dinner that night and enjoyed the local speciality.....fished rolled and stuffed with shrimp, spinach, etc. and then covered with either an almond cream sauce, a pecan sauce, or a diablo sauce. We all had a different one and they were all wonderful. Then back to the motor home on the beach, a bonfire, and a little jam session. The full moon came up while the guys were playing which only added to the special night.

On Sunday we headed over to Bara de Navidad and the "Lagoon." We went into town to have dinner and check out the Monday bus schedule for Jane. We had a great dinner at Mexico Lindo's. Monday came all too soon and it was time for Jane to get on a bus and head back to Puerto Vallarta. It was great to have experienced crew on board and fun for Alan to have another avid fisherperson on board. We'll stay here in Bara until after Christmas and then head out again.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our family and friends.

Home Again in La Cruz....

The trip down from Mazatlan to La Cruz was a quiet overnight motor boat ride. On the way into Punta de Mita Alan caught a new friend......Bob the Boobie. He stayed with us for 45 min. just riding on the dinghy. Somewhere between Punta de Mita and La Cruz he flew away to join his friends.

It's great to be back in La Cruz to see old friends but boy has the place changed. Barry & Ana from "Ana Banana's" are still there but their beautiful view is blocked by a big huge dirt mound. The marina is huge and really changes the whole ambiance. So we're making the best of it just visiting old friends and playing music and remembering old times.

Thanksgiving in Mazatlan

It was so great to see and visit with all our friends in Mazatlan. We had lots of Dorado left over from our trip down so we had an impromptu fish BBQ on Effie.

On Thanksgiving, 180 cruisers and friends had a wonderful traditional Thanksgiving dinner in the cruiser's lounge. It was a beautiful night and the food was great. "Rafael" played music after dinner and we all had fun dancing under the stars.

Alan had fun at a music jam while Mac met with beading friends and played lots of cards (Baja Rummy). We went for the traditional "Sun Downer" on the top of the Freeman Hotel in old town Mazatlan with Chastin and Thomas from SV Freyja then had a nice dinner at the old town square. During our stay they had the 10th Annual Mazatlan Marathon.....we were out bright and early at 6:00 a.m. to cheer the runners on.

All too soon it was time to say goodbye to Mazatlan...........