Capt. Crabby
04/05/2012, Near Punta de Mita

On Monday, we went to a beautiful resort on the beach just west of here called Rancho Banderas. They had a promo for day use for $200 pesos per person ($16.00 US) for which you got a $100 peso credit toward food and drinks. We spent the day there with Frank and Stephanie from "Endless Summer" and had a great time. There was a beautiful pool and beach and a wonderful restaurant where we had a very nice dinner.
Later this week we're trying to arrange a trip to San Sebastian, which is a quaint colonial town in the mountains about 2 hours from PV.
Regretfully, we are going to have to leave here about the end of next week to head back to Mazatlan. We're going to buddy boat with "Endless Summer" and make several stops along the way, at Guayabitos, San Blas and Isla Isabel. We plan to be in Mazatlan about May 1.
More later.

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Capt. Crabby
04/01/2012, Banderas Bay, Nayarit

On Wednesday we sailed over to Punta de Mita at the west end of Banderas Bay, accompanied by Frank and Stephanie on "Endless Summer". We spent two nights there, a went ashore a couple of times. It's a cute little town with some very upscale gringo condos as well as a Four Seasons golf resort-very exclusive.
Thursday night, we went to a really good Italian restaurant and had a great meal.
Friday, we sailed back to La Cruz, and decided to anchor out Friday night. The wind was blowing 20+ knots when we anchored and we somehow managed to get our anchor rode wrapped around the keel. When the wind abated, Frank and a guy named Pat from a neighbor boat helped me get unravelled, so I took them all out to dinner & beers. I felt like the nautical nerd for the anchor faux-pas but Jeanette and I have devised a better technique now. It's all a learning experience.
This next week is Semana Santa, (Easter Week) here, and a lot of things close for the week, so it should be interesting.
We are going to try to visit San Sebastian, in the mountains near here, next week.
More later

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Capt. Crabby
03/26/2012, Guadalajara, Jalisco

Friday PM last, we returned from a 4-day excursion to Guadalajara. It was a really nice trip, about 4 hours on a really nice, comfortable A/C bus with movies, bathrooms and comfortable seats. The price was about $50 US round trip-very reasonable. We got a beautiful room in a very eclectic B&B type place owned by an American landscape architect. The gardens were gorgeous, and our large suite had a beautiful private patio that was about 30X50'. We were just a few blocks from the historic district, which is really scenic with really cool horse-drawn carriages for sightseeing. Robert, the owner of our B&B, turned us on to some local restaurants that had great food, really cheap. Eating out is so reasonable here that we rarely cook on the boat.
Saturday, we went out for a sail and saw the final race of the Banderas Bay regatta. Very cool.
Sunday, there was a huge Tourism show here for travel agents which of course, we attended. They put a a huge venue for this on the Malecon, and had quite an extravaganza of folkloric dancing, music, food, drinks etc.
We actually stayed up till midnight to watch the fireworks display.
This week, we're going to Punta de Mita to anchor for a few days with our friends on "Endless Summer".
More later.

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Capt. Crabby
03/19/2012, Puerto Vallarta

Last Saturday, St. Patrick's Day, (and also my granddaughter Keeley's B-day), we took the bus to Puerto Vallarta to go to an Irish Pub with with Frank and Stephanie from "Endless Summer". While touring the Malecon, we found C-Monkey's cousin, called Sea Monkey. They had a great family reunion. Okay, I know this C-Monkey stuff is getting a bit much, but Jeanette's really gotten into it!
Anyhow, the Irish Pub was so noisy, we ended up eating at an Italian restaurant-good food!
Lee and Cathy left yesterday after crewing on "Alchemy" which put OYC on the map by winning first in its class and first overall in the MEXORC series. Saturday night was exciting, after the awards ceremony, the whole Marina was lit up with a beautiful fireworks display.
We are off to Guadalajara tomorrow for a few days, more later.

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Capt. Crabby
03/11/2012, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

Lee & Cathy arrived last evening and we went with them and another couple, Anne & Mark to Tacos-on-the-Street for dinner. C-monkey was so happy to see them that he probably over-indulged in beer, (see photo gallery).
Anne & Mark are getting ready to do the Pacific Puddle Jump to the Marquesas and beyond next month.
It was really nice to see someone from home, and I hope we'll be able to spend more time with them this week. Today, they are crewing on Alchemy on the first MEXORC race.
Friday, we went out to watch the final race of the J-24 Copa de Mexico race. See the photo gallery for some pix.
We'll keep you posted as the week progresses.

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