Last spring we were lucky enough to have our crew from Washington fly down to sail with us in the Banderas Bay Regatta—very fun. But, since the regatta was scheduled almost a month later this year, we figured we’d be long gone before the event started. Wrong–extensive dental work for John kept us in the PV area longer, much longer than planned. So, what the heck. We figured we’d go for it double handed or maybe even get some cruiser friends to crew. As it turned out—a ringer, our buddy Bob (aka: Bob’s Your Uncle), decided to come visit about that time and Peggy came along as well. Also Judy & Mike from Honu, Ken from Cake, Anne from Banyan, and Pat from Voila also agreed to sail with us. So, we suddenly had 9 crew (not counting Lucy) for the regatta. Yeehaa, the game’s afoot. Overall, we were a little short on racing experience but everyone did amazingly well and most importantly they seemed to have a really good time. We placed 4th in the performance cruising class—but 1st among the actual “cruising” boats. After 3 days of hard racing, we carefully put Old Whitie (our 1978 #1 racing jib) away for future campaigns then we loaded the kayak, paddle board, and dinghy back aboard. Time to blow town. 1st stop was San Blas about 60 miles up the coast. Then after 5 days of living large in the Jejene (tiny no-see-ums) capital of the world, we headed 40 miles out to Isla Isabella—an isolated volcanic island nick named “The Galapagos of Mexico”. Bob and Peggy were amazed at the wildlife, especially the blue footed boobies and giant iguanas. We departed at sunset (after a fantastic fish fry on Voila) for the Baja now only 255 miles away. It was great having 4 people to share watches but for the first time on a Sea crossing we had zero wind. Glad to finally shut the engine down after making landfall at Bahia Muertos. Down to just two crew and one dog, we’re currently in La Paz getting ready to head north along the Baja coast. The water is warming up so we’re looking forward to some swimming and spear fishing before heading back across to San Carlos/Guaymas to haul the boat out in mid May

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Team Carmanah meeting before the start of the regatta. Most of the crew had very little or no racing experience which was challenging in the brisk conditions. But I had a great time because everyone was having fun seemed to enjoy racing.

Day one of the Banderas Bay Regatta. Carmanah is sail #10372. 10 seconds to the start, we pushed two boats over early. So fun.

Carmanah at a mark rounding on the last day of the regatta. Note the crack crew

Anne & Pat preparing for the spinnaker take down. Unfortunately, the jib halyard broke during the procedure and pandemonium threatened to rear it’s ugly head but was held (mostly) at bay by some quick crew action.

Bob trimming the kite on a down wind leg of the Banderas Bay Regatta. All is calm….for the moment.

Mike from the s/v Honu, helping me fish a new jib haulyard down the mast. On day one of the regatta, the jib haulyard broke as the crack foredeck crew was tightening it for the final leg to the finish. Didn’t help our placement in the race as “old whitie” slid into the drink. But Pat & Anne got him (our #1 jib) aboard quickly and the #3 to get us to the line.

Free ranging bocce is becoming the national sport of the Mexico cruisers. Suzie from the s/v White Raven getting ready to throw her bocce ball in an impromptu game organized on a La Cruz beach. .

Mmmm. Nothing better than a churro fresh out of the deep fat. Cut into short lengths (with the scissors) and rolled in sugar, they’re addictive. Our buddy Bob developed a bit of a problem again this year.

A Huichol painting made out of very fine colored threads. You can see the two sides of the Goddess of the Sea’s face among many significant symbols unique to the Huichols.

Epifania is a local Huichol artist who created the thread painting for Donna. It’s currently gracing one our salon bulk heads.

The only thing better than one paleta on a hot San Blas day in the plaza is of course two paletas eaten simultaneously. Pure fruit and bursting with flavor.

Tax time in San Blas. Donna working hard at the pool side wifi hot spot our tax return before we leave for the Baja. Lucy was a big help–she’s a registered emotional support animal.

The “new church” just off the plaza at San Blas.

We, along with Bob & Peggy, ate at the Red Witch on our final night in San Blas. What a find. Best food we’ve had on this coast. The owners, Rodrigo and Edma, are so enthusiastic about their dream of creating this amazing restaurant that we all had a great time.

Oh man! That mole sauce is so good. When it comes to the really good ones like at the Red Witch, no two are the same.

Cooking fishy carandeado style—slowly in the wood smoke is delicious. These guys in San Blas have the fires going all day. Just bring them a fish you catch or buy at the market and return in two hours, it’s ready. Yum.

On Isla Isabella, the bluer a male Blue Footed Bookies feet are, the more females he attracts. This guy is really bringing them in….I think. If he is a male that is. Couldn’t tell the difference for sure. But those feet are really blue.

I recently found out that these Mexican bonito are good eating. Been throwing them back for the past two years thinking they were like the Pacific Bonito that we tried to eat on the trip down to Mexico. This one I caught in the dinghy at Isla Isabella.

Lucy’s job is to sleep with whom ever is currently in bed–in this case Peggy is off watch during our crossing from San Blas on the mainland to Bahia Muertos on the Baja. Don’t tell Marley (Peggy’s pup).

And they’re off’ Bob and Peggy rented a car in La Paz so they could explore as they traveled to the Los Cabos Airport. First stop Hotel California in Todo Santos. Bob’s recent driving experience in Jamaica fully prepared him for driving in Mexico.