Hola--hope everyone had a fun turkey day. A year ago we attempted a Thanksgiving day mini feast at Santa Cruz Island with LaDonna and Rob, had to turn back when alternator belt shredded, and ended up spending a year in wonderful Channel Islands Harbor. Do miss that place and the fine folks there. We had intended to sail 6 miles up Banderas Bay to La Cruz, a small town, much less touristy, with a vibrant cruiser community--lots of fun activities, support, music, bonfires, cheaper and better food, and interaction with locals. However, the unknown path of Hurricane Sandra squelched those plans because the place we're now in is the place to be in a blow. Lots of boats have scurried down here from Mazatlan. No wind here, but have had 3 days of rain, which has made it even greener and damper, if that's possible. Happy to have the rain cool things down a bit. I can stand out in the rain for 2 hrs and not be as soaked as I get on a sunny day when every pore is leaking. No surprise that there are still tropical storms. The water is Gulf of MX in summer warm. 86 degrees. Yikes
Turkey day was an aventura for us. Jimbo was determined to use public buses to get to Punta de Mita, about 25 miles away. 3 buses and a short walk later, we arrived on time at friends (from Marina Village Alameda days) John and Gilly Foy's beachside condo for a fun-, wine-, and delicious food-filled day. Met lots of terrific folks, got to see some Ha Ha'ers, now definitely determined to base out of La Cruz while in Banderas Bay. Much entertainment was provided by Wayne (of J World) and Lisa Zittel's 18-mo-old Jack. Got a ride back to Brainwaves with the manager of Vallarta Marina in PV, who with his lovely girlfriend was a great source of local knowledge. Now know where to get groceries at fraction of cost of Costco, which would explain why there were so few Mexicans in the Costco.  Very weird to see Kirkland brands, our fave balsamic vinegar, but only MX beers (rats!!) and Coors lite (triple RATS!). Also need to read up on S. American wines. CA wines cost too much.
Though it took some time, we finally discovered a brand of tonic not super-sweetened with fake nastiness. I do miss my Fever Tree. Want to cross paths again with Ha Ha'er who makes her own with a spritzer and tonic concentrate she makes herself (in the states.) maybe I do need a bigger galley!
If there's a break in the weather, we're headed out to get some MX phones today. Despite the fact that we're living on a 35- ft boat, we seem to have frequent communication breakdowns (which pool? Which happy hour?)
Jimbo is studying to take the tech level ham radio test next weekend. Should be ahead of the game as he already knows what Fourier transform is.
Hoping to be off to La Cruz tomorrow. Haven't paid for our time here yet because the yacht club and Marina are arguing about who manages that slip.
Starting to check out stuff to do with the Brainard-Manies bunch over the holidays. Woohooooo