This has been the fastest turnover(meaning getting the boat seaworthy and in the water) since I been doing the retired thing in Mananaland. All I did to get the boat ready was refurbished all my golf cart batteries and paint the bottom and work on my dinghy and outboard. I splashed in about 8 days and left Guaymas 6 days later. I just pulled into Topolabampo to get a goods night sleep because I have another overnighter and two long days to get to Mazatlan. So far, the boat has been running good after I got the raw water pump working. I sailed most of the way with about 5 hours of running time on the engine. Because I won't be back at the Fonatur marina (pricing went up over 40%) it was hard saying good-bye to the chicas in the office and Horatio. Of course nothing is as hard as saying good-bye to sweet Gabriella. I should be in Barra in about a week and then trek back up to Guaymas to get my car and supplies and drive down to Barra.

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I left early this year so I could get the boat in the water and make tracks for Barra De Navidad. I have lots of work to do in Paradise and timing is important. I drove straight through to Nogales, Arizona in one day and left the next morning for the border crossing. This year I didn't lose skeep over the border crossing like in years past. The only thing I was bringing across that they could've dinged me oon is the large amount of house paint...about 45 gallons. Both inspection stations gave me a green light and I was on my way. The boat was in amazingly good condition minus the heavy coating of dirt. I refurbished all 8 of my 6 volt golf cart batteries with the Epsom salts and distilled water treatment and it came out great so far. Then I painted the bottom of the boat and put Gabriellas name on the outside of the port ama and her school and mascot name on the starboard ama. Tomorrow morning I splash and will probably take another week of tricking the boat out......no matter how much I try to trick it out it still looks like a clunker......sorry Mannasea. Then I shall make a beeline for Barra and take the bus back to Guaymas to pick up my car and drive it back to Barra.....THIS WILL BE MY LAST VOLUNTEERISM stuff for the southland. I want to be a full time laid back cruiser.

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Another wonderful season of Retirement cruising is all but a magnificent memory. The boat was hauled sucessfully and put away in its usual spot in the yard. I had fun visiting the crew of the Singlar facility, especially harassing Ariana and Marlyn in the office. I really enjoy the town of Guaymas and all the friends I have made there. My van has 214,000 miles and it delivered me home in very good fashion. I decided to drive straight through to Rancho so I could sneak up and surprise Gabriella at school. I got as far as Tulare at about 9pm and decided to stay the night in a motel and drive the short distance the next morning in time to go home and clean up, then drive to school to surprise my angel. I guess I will never see the reaction I saw the last two times I surprised her....she has grown up enough to just look at me and look surprised, but no loud screeching. I'll just have to accept that with a smile and admit to myself that my little Princess is growing up. When we got home she had to show me all the great stuff she did while I was gone. The blog photo is a project she did because I inspired her to do it.......her words. I can't believe she actually listens to some of the grown up conversations I have about politics. It is of Ronald Reagan....her project was an outline and report on American Heroes. I just finished my first paint job and have four more lined up and many more prospects.....this is going to be a busy and hopefully a prosperous summer. Thank you Susan for keeping me on track.....I'm getting a little old and lose track sometimes...or just lazy.

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