136 nm made good…I have been logging huge days under sail! NOTHING LIKE IT!….It is sunrise and I can make out Punta de Mita and it’s lights! Excitement builds….I am now around breaching whales, fishing pangas, turtles, and yachts…lots of big fancy yachts coming and going….I am now entering Banderos Bay, home to Puerto Vallarta & La Cruz….It’s been 11 years since this boat has seen these waters….yes, I am excited!

I round the point and get into cell range…I get a text from Howard….”Lawnboy! Where you at?!??” I tell him my arrival time should be around 11:00. Calling the marina on VHF radio, I notify of my arrival and confirm my arrival time and assigned slip #….security guy says…”ok Amigo, I will see you at the slip sir!”.

Now, I have Pam, Howard, Greg (her brother) & Marie (wife) 2 security guards…NO…make it 3!! iphones are out, videos & pics being snapped…I feel like a rock star!…then it hits me…I better not mess up this landing!..how embarrassing would that be?!?? Needless to say…”like a glove!”. How awesome was that? All those days at sea, to see friendly faces and smiles, hugs….laughes…and a COLD MODELO!!! which I have been craving since leaving San Diego!!

After a quick visit, they leave me to get settled in my slip and invite me to their roof garden terrace BBQ that night! (H & P’s place)
BUT FIRST…..I also have friends on a cruise ship who just landed in Puerto Vallarta and have exactly 4 hours to come visit me, so Dave & Rebecca from Sacramento hop a taxi and drive all the way out here to the marina to meet me for lunch! SO good to see them! Me & Dave go way back, we first met at a dive resort in Roatan Honduras in 2000…stayed friends ever since. How could this day get any better!!

After a few tacos & beers we say farewell…they head back to the cruise ship and I stumble my way back to Wades Aweigh to finish (begin) putting her to bed after several days of hard sailing. Not much time before heading to the welcome dinner on the rooftop!

About 2 hrs later I get a test from Howard he’s coming to get me….PARTY CONTINUES!! It was an incredible night reconnecting with Greg & meeting his wife Marie, both from AK. It was a dinner of carrot salad, baked taters & a juicy Rib Eye steak…(great job Howard on the green egg!) we laughed & ate & drank till they kicked me out when everyone was yawning and getting sleepy eyed. good thing too….remember I haven’t slept jack for 4.5 days? Let’s just say I wasn’t too worried about getting up with the sun.

And this begins La Cruzin’ it!!!
** pic is of Me, Dave & Rebecca……