Tuesday, December 17, 2013

San Carlos highlights


 
The view from our condo at night can be spectacular.  It is very quiet here in San Carlos.  So many places are shut down and it seems almost deserted.  You can tell this used to be a hopping place.  Lots of restaurants and bars ,   mostly closed down and empty.  The Gringos are scared to come here.  It is a shame that the people here are really suffering from the loss of economy due to the bad publicity about Mexico back home.  Actually statistics show it is safer here than most places in the US.  Sure certain areas you avoid just like you would back in the States.  There is a lot of poverty.  A lot of people probably would be turned off.  It isn't Hawaii but the people are wonderful.  The food is amazing.  The beaches are pretty and the price is right!!!!    Next adventure is 4 days in Alamos.  About a 3 hour drive up in the mountains to a small colonial town that used to be very rich with silver mines.  It has a lot of history and beautiful buildings.  I hope to take a tour of the old colonial homes that is offered and Robert can't wait to get his sketch book out.  Love to all!!!
 

 

Iglesia de San Fernando (The Catholic Church in Guaymas)

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We had a wonderful evening at the Catholic Church in Guaymas, Mexico.  They had 3 well known (at least I was told) opera singers perform.  The richness of their voices was amazing within the walls of the beautiful church.  The acoustics were spectacular.   The second half of the performance was a local chorus performing traditional Christmas music and a procession that portrayed the history of Mexico.  Of course I didn't understand a word.  I think the opera music was in Italian.   Most Mexican towns have beautiful churches and plazas.  There is always an array of music, food and entertainment to enjoy and it made it more special to share it with our friends Larry and Mel.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

To was Market Day along the "Malecon" just down from the Condo. Had   some coffee and walked around. Kathy bought some ear rings and I bought a small water color print of the local anchorage!!

Met our friends Jim & Juanita & headed over to JJ's 4 lunch of tacos!  
I've been able to manage some nice bike rides and on Thur. we went out to the Soggy Peso Bar and Kathy wandered on the beach and I went 4 a ride.
Today we are going to laze around but plan on starting some serious interior work on the boat next week. I bought a new hatch today @ the swap meet to replace the old wooden foredeck one that leaks!

Adios 4 now!!

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Blue Dolphin 2012 Puerto Vallarta
FINALLY arrived in Mexico after a LONG hiatus mostly due to my accident during the Race Across America in 2011. My recovery has been a  long and difficult one complicated by the fact that cancer was discovered in my left kidney. I had surgery in October 2012 and all seems well so far. 

I did make a short trip South in 2012 to move the "Dolphin" from Puerto Vallarta to Guaymas  in Spring of 2012.  Our friend Larry went along and after a week or so with a stop in Mazatlan and Topolabumpo.  Once there the boat was dry stored in Marina Guaymas.  I connected with a Mexican fellow named Francisco and he has been working on the boat of the past few years. We had the deck re-done as we had some "soft" spots and Francisco is now working on repainting the bottom and the "topsides"........the side of the boat from the water line up to the railing.  Much work has to be done as the sun has done a good job and it's going to take a lot of work to get the boat ready to "splash"!  

Not sure of our schedule as the work is extensive and will take some time.  I have brought some materials to work on the interior,and some new batteries as I expect the ones on the boat are "kaput"!  


We are staying at the Marina Terra condos right next to the San Carlos Marina where we are planning on putting the boat after the painting is complete. Then we would work on the interior and some necessary deck work.  

As usual I have brought a bike and plan on some riding and Kathy is going to take some walks on the beach and drink Margaritas at the Soggy Peso Bar nearby!!!