La Cruz

Eventually we got away from the fishing lines and around the Punta de Mita.  The wind freshened up and we immediately stated to sail.  Sea Otter hailed us as we were putting up the main and wanted to know if we were really going to sail.  You could feel the collective groan as I answered "of course we are going to sail."  We had 14 miles to go and 15-18 knots of north wind.  Beam reaching is where it is at.  We even put in a reef of the main.  Sea Otter raised their main and then unfurled their jib and finally their staysail.  Sea Otter being in front of us I had the options available and decided to do a sort of a "fly by".  They were motor sailing still and I came up on their stern and overtook them to windward,causing their sails to lose wind as we blanketed them. As soon as we got in front of them Jen asks "water balloons?"  Mad scramble ensues and we started to stockpile balloons.  The wind started to die to 10 knots or so, we shook out a reef and laid in wait for Sea Otter.  As they passed us, we let fly.  Evidently the water balloon cannon is a fickle creature and the ability to aim is not a trait bred into it.  Shots flew everywhere but on Sea Otter.  I'd say we got more water on our deck from our own balloons.  Then those crazy Otters started to heave freaking limes at us.  Limes!!!!!  What in the hell???! What are you going to put in your beer?  They are mad I tell you, MAD!  Appa took a hit on the hull but sustained no damage.  I was a little worried about the solar panels taking a hit but nothing happened.  Our two boats weaves and bobbed like prize fighters trying to get a hit in but most shots went harmlessly into the ocean.  Biodegradable water balloons in case you are worried. 

After the battle royale, we landed in La Cruz Marina and paid for our slip.  

La Cruz is a funky little town that is still mostly Mexican folk trying to make a living but there are a surprising number of expats here also.  There is a bar named Philo's that is a replica of any beach side bar in the US. I went there back in 2008 and have no need to go there now.  We want street tacos.  

Maybe I forgot to mention that I follow a ton of blogs and one of them is Rebel Heart's blog.  Eric and Charlotte have two girls.  Lyra is ten months old and I apologize if I spelled that wrong.  Cora is 3. My hope was to eventually met them and maybe become friends.  As I said in an earlier post, Rebel Heart was going to Puerto Vallarta and here they are in La Cruz. So we have been having multiple play dates  and I even got to go out and have some beers with Eric and a couple of his buddies that also live, work and breathe boats.  My type of people. 

So what have we been doing in La Cruz.  Well we took a wild bus ride to Punta Mita with Rebel Heart. It was like Mr. Toad's wild ride.  We had lunch on the beach and played on a stand up paddle board. I think we are going to get one.

  We are also using Sea Otter's inflatable kayaks and hitting the tiny pool here at the marina along with having street tacos.  Street tacos are just what they sound like. You actually sit in one of those plastic chairs that you see worldwide right on the side of the street. Cars coming by and dogs everywhere.  Crazy good fun.  The food is outstanding.  They make it right in one of the hotdog type carts you see in the American cities.  All street side.  Bring your own drinks to most of them.  The famous one "Tacos on the Street" just got their license so they can serve beverages. So a meal for 5 consisting of 4 tacos each for Max and I and 3 each for Jen and Ben with Sam eating one of them comes to around $15 or so.  Maybe a bit more.  

I waxed Appa's hull again.  Shines like new.  The look on the Mexican dock workers as I scrubbed and buffed that hull was....odd.  Not sure if they ever saw an American waxing the boat.  I put on some Carden music while doing it.  He made a cd a while back called Twisted Sheets. Compilation type of deal. Went well with working my ass off.  Man did I sweat.  

I had screens made for the opening windows and the campanionway hatch.  

The screen had stainless steel chain sewn into the edges to hold it down.  The bugs aren't too bad but one mosquito wrecked the poor kids so up went the screens.  Poor Max and Sam looked like hell after that bug got them.  Hopefully this will do the trick.  We have screens for the majority of the hatches just not every single one. Well now we do.  

Kayaks on loan from Sea Otter.  

So we are eating a little to well, and having fun.  It is hot here and the cabin fans never shut off but I am loving it.  Sam no likey the heat.  Ben is part Cuban so he is good.  Max likes it and Jen is tolerating it.  Only going to get hotter but they know that.  We'll live.  

Tomorrow leaving for Yelapa or maybe head back up to Chacala. Yeah Chacala. I think we will go there.  Or maybe Punta de Mita. Hmmmm.  Nah Chacala but hit Mita on the way?  Per weather report not a cloud in the sky till Columbia and winds out of the NW at 11 or so for the foreseeable future.