Saturday, March 2, 2019

HEAD SOUTH TO GO NORTH

We'll miss the view from our slip at Kona Kai.
We're going to miss this too!
Loved our daily swim ritual.
We'll definitely miss these San Diego sunsets,
but we are looking forward to new vistas!

Preparations are complete for LEG ONE of our Pacific Northwest Adventure. We'll miss this view, but are excited about the new vistas that wait us. Scrimshaw's solar screens have been removed, water tanks topped off, engines are rearing to go, and clear weather is predicted for the 68 mile trip down to Mexico. One of the features we love most about our Grand Banks 42 Classic is the expansive visibility afforded by her large windows. We took a little evening snooze, and decided wind and seas looked best for a midnight departure to Marina Coral, Ensenada. While waiting for Seven Star Transit to transport Scrimshaw from Ensenada to Victoria, B.C. Canada, we will add a couple more coats of varnish to Scrimshaw's rails and transom, have her hull waxed and buffed, and install a transducer for the new depth instrument at Baja Naval. We will also revisit Valle de Guadalupe for some wine tasting fun, and a dinner at Ochenta's, our favorite family restaurant overlooking the valley's vineyards. We are also going to try Finca Altazona for  lunch in their organic garden.

Pretty mellow sea conditions.
 John Steinbeck best described twilight as "The hour of the pearl - the interval between day and night when time stops and examines itself". Darrell and I highly encourage every yachtsman to read Steinbeck's, "The Log of the Sea of Cortez", and "The Pearl" which takes place in a sleepy fishing village in the Sea of Cortez. Both are brilliant treasures.
Daybreak shows off our newly varnished sideboards.
Ahhh. Our favorite time of day during passages.

We got all tied up into our new, and favorite, slip, checked into the country, had a little breakfast, greeted old friends, and took naps. Somehow the day slipped away, and once again we find ourselves enjoying The Hour of the Pearl.
 Familiar fishing boats, mostly American, stand ready.
Muy Tranquilo, si?

While Saturday may be a bit drizzly in Ensenada today, it's a bit better than what we left at home. More snow is due in today.
Our Sierra Home
Looking out our back deck towards our neighbors.
BRRRRRR.

It's Sunday and the SUN'S OUT.  What a difference a day makes.

Our Scrimshaw Home.
Looking out our back deck towards our neighbors.
The marina's 40 foot slips are available, most 
of the 50-65 foot slips are filled with Gringo boats.
A 50' slip gives us a much better feeling of space.
Our forward view, looking at Marina Coral Resort.
A nice Fleming 55 in our vantage point.
The view out our starboard side, 
looking at a lovely Grand Banks East Bay.
Check out those green Baja hills covered with 
lots of yellow daisies from all the winter rain.
Looking north towards Marina Coral. I couldn't resist taking a bouquet home with me. I left a few for anyone else who may want to enjoy the daisies. Notice the gentleman in the red shirt standing out on a rock in the distance? He is ANCIENT, and we have seen him doing tai chi each morning every year we have been here. He's learning some English and is the sweetest man. The good life.
Bouquets of fresh daisies grace our dining table.
Our daily walk, no tai chi, but still it's exercise.
Our dock neighbor from Colorado is taking his brisk walk
along a strand of gringo casitas next to the marina.
Spark finds a good sunny spot.
My fresh yellow daisies from the hillside,
and a bowl of Mexican limes for cervezas!
About that TV, we get about 20 USA channels here, including PBS. We got 4 in San Diego.
We watched Gal Gadot in Wonder Woman last night!

It's Carnival Crazy in town, and our friend Penny is visiting. Tonight we go to Sano's for their Famous Blue Cheese Tower Salad, Fabulous Filet Mignon Steak with Potato dinner, accompanied with a tasty Xcue Pinot from the local Valle de Guadalupe. And always Flan. 
HAPPY.  HAPPY.  HAPPY.
Happy to be on the FUN side of the wall.

Hotel Coral and Marina
Good to be back.
Can you find Scrimshaw?

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