One year ago yesterday I departed for my "adventure of a lifetime". Peter, Catherine and myself left San Diego at 0200 on March 2, 2011 and set sail down the 720 NM inhospitable coast of Baja California. We spent a month in La Paz, where we had several visitors...and I quickly learned that 5 people sleeping on Si Bon is WAY to crowded. We now encourage our guests to get a hotel close by, that way we can all enjoy their visits without driving each other nuts. In the past year I've learned and accomplished so much I couldn't possibly put it all in a blog. I've met a wonderful First Mate, Sharon, establishing not only a beautiful relationship, but also creating a great cruising team. I've seen whale sharks, manta rays, whales and birds of all types, and many other forms of unknown marine life. We've anchored in quiet coves and busy anchorages. We've docked in small quaint marinas and in mega resorts. We've seen many amazing sunsets and countless green flashes. I have taken the autobus up and down both Baja and the Mainland several times and Sharon and I have become very proficient at riding the local buses for just about all of our daily errands. Everywhere we've been we've experienced the warmth of the Mexican people.

One unexpected adventure this year was my visit by land to my aunt and uncle's house in Maryland and then on to Sharon and Kathy's in Vermont. I spent most of August exploring the Northeastern United States, which was on my list of places I wanted to see more of.

I've met so many people and made so many new friends over the past year that it is mind-boggling. As I write this many of their names and faces are racing through my head and bring a smile to my face. Although there are always challenges to overcome and things to either fix or make do without....there are still no horror stories to tell. To anyone thinking about cruising I would say prepare, but don't over prepare. You don't need every new gadget in order to untie the dock lines...this isn't really that difficult.

We'll be leaving Banderas Bay in the next few days and continuing south to Manzanillo, a distance of about 150 NM. We will then be returning to Banderas Bay in May for the summer Hurricane season. I would like to thank our families and friends for all of their thoughts, prayers and support over the past year. We're both excited to see what the next year has in store for us.
God bless!