Wow, how time flies!! Broski flew home on the 19th of March. The boat is so quiet!! Let me get you caught up over the past several weeks.

We anchored outside of La Cruz for several days getting caught up on friends, shopping and dinners. Because we had our sites set on some more northern anchorages our stay was short. Fully loaded with fuel, food and spirits we headed out for Mazatlan (old town), man did we love that place!

The old central district is loaded with eateries, music, shops & old world charm. We walked many miles campusing all the residential areas on the hillsides, searching for venues that may keep our interest in staying for more than a few days. I think all and all we hung out for 4 days before it was time to do the largest crossing for Broski yet, the mighty Sea of Cortez!!

It was a 72 hour crossing to La Paz where we were due to meet up with my friend Lon from Anacortes who keeps his boat there now. The trip was uneventful, weather was kind and we caught fish…lots of fish! They all lived to bite another day. Upon arrival we launched the dingy and searched for a cold Pacifico aboard Lon’s boat “Pacific Breeze” (which turned into several before dinner) It was a great night chatting about the idea of meeting up later in the islands but that never came to fruition due to weather, but trudge forward we did…sans Lon who left days later.

Our next stop was (see pic) by far the most incredible water I have ever seen and swam in! No, it’s not photoshopped! The place was a reserve, so we got yelled at (due to our ignorance) from anchoring our tiny dingy in the sand, doing no harm whatsoever…but rules are rules….lesson learnt. After cold Modelos on the beach and a snack which Broski packed we headed back to the boat….leaving in the morning, so had a great dinner on board and slept like babies in the calm quiet cove….ahhhhh…nothing on earth like it!

The following day we anchored in Puerto Escondido where there is an incredibly swank marina where we had meals in the rooftop palapa and walked daily up to 9 miles seeing the area. The newly constructed multi-million homes suggest it’s gonna be a big, big deal in years to come.

Because weather was not kind to us, I had to veto moving the boat to Loreto where Broski was flying out of. We befriended Jesus the taxi driver and paid $50USD for a trip of 14 miles to the airport. He let me do a ride along since he was coming straight back to the marina….with a big lump in my throat and perhaps a couple tears…I watched my larger than life brother walk thru the big double doors and out of my life again until I return home.

We are best friends, confidants and all around instigators of fun. It was an amazing 6 week visit that flew by. There’s always adjustments when you have a long term guest, then you have to adjust right back to the original plan which is solo sailing…I do good with both. Thanks Broski for doing all the cooking, cleaning, being excited and energetic. You push me to be stronger, nicer, more loving and appreciative of the little things. I CANNOT WAIT for the next chapter…FRENCH POLYNESIA BABY!!!

Now, I gotta cook…stay tuned for more ya’ all!!!

Well, it’s official, we have scavanged the Mexican Riviera for fun, sun, fish & street tacos. Pic is of a “Sienna Mackerel” also called a “Speckled Ocean Trout”…believe it or not, tail hooked it just outside the anchorage while coming in….because I did not know what it was and didn’t want to kill something I wasn’t going to eat, we let it go, only finding out later it was the best tasting fish in these waters….DOH! What a bummer, good thing we still have some Yellowfin Tuna left in the freezer.

We have been having an absolute blast exploring all the little towns along the way, meeting cool folks on other sailboats & having cockpit parties on Wades Aweigh along the way. Cruisers are an odd bunch, finding joy in the simple pleasures in life like….big round ice balls I make in my freezer to discussing the fine art of how NOT to clog a marine toilet…..don’t even get me started on batteries, lack of sunlight for solar charge and inefficient wind turbines, all for another post down the road. For now, we have plenty of water, fuel, food and booze….what else do two sailing brothers need?!?

Today we walked the dirt roads of Chamela. I have been here multiple times in the past decade and never walked the interior, only the long unspoiled and un-crowded beach. After navigating up the windy channel to the Panga docks we grabbed our water bottles & shoes, hell bent to find a pizza place we saw last night….alas, closed for siesta, our stomachs grumbled in protest as we moved on. 2 other attempts at decent looking places offered the same results so we sat on the sidewalk of the local OXXO and drank a cold beer paired with pizza flavored pringles….while Broski says to me…”see dude, told you I’d buy you a pizza today!” I was not amused.

It was hot….I mean HOT….hottest day yet, good thing we had our water & electrolytes! Eventually we came across a build. It was a multi building family compound that after the guy working inside the property saw us gaulking at the unfilled pool invites us in for a look….NO WAY!
How cool was it to be able to see all the buildings, how the Mexican craftsmen did finish work, the local sourced gorgeous hardwood doors & trim….on & on….it was a super random happy accident.

Not an hour later the same narrative only this time it was a private owned hotel that rents to the elite, several stories high that surely will impress its future patrons. It’s fun looking at real estate with my brother, as we both appreciate fine detail, location & compare it to US standards. Good way to pass time while we walk the streets looking for something to eat.

Finally we landed at one of the many palapas on the beach and had seriously disgusting meals, terrible service and loud patrons including a band that played multiple songs that all sounded alike with the drone of tuba, bass & guitar…welcome to Mexico amigos!!

We leave at 0600 tomorrow morning…headed back to LaCruz to meet friends and have meals at places I know are good, maybe a Costco run and do some much needed laundry. Then, plan our escape to the Sea of Cortez!!

Until then, keep reading ya’all….
muchas gracias!!
Capt. LB!

The soothing picture you see is where we started our recovery from pickling our livers for a week in Zihua. Our "Sea-Hab" began at Ixtapa Island, an incredible white sandy beach rimmed hidden gem just outside of the resort area of Ixtapa...more on that in a bit.

So, the Cliff Notes version of our stay in Z-Town is as follows: Neither of us worried about getting up early, all days start with robust local coffee, some breakfast and review of previous days happenings. Then a loose plan of what we are thinking and after slathering on some sunscreen, grabbing some cash and launching the dingy. typically a long walk including beach & road, lots of steep hills, vistas to die for and always meeting new people.

One day we humped it up the biggest hill in the bay to the tune of 8 miles & two big beers at the OXXO (like 7-11) trying not to get worked by these mexican dudes wanting to buy us another round on the front sidewalk of said store...then aggressively pushing drugs to our repeated NO's! Finally we booked it out of there looking over our shoulders the whole way back. On said way back, walk down huge staircase to a cliff front restaurant that literally was like an infinity edge pool, suspended over the bay, my yar ship anchored in the distance. Food was fantastic and so was the view. An epic end to our day.

On Super bowl Sunday (no we won't talk about the halftime performance) we had a VIP table in our new friend "Revee's" place where we had dinner a day before. Also the previous day had ordered 3 bottles of his famous Mezcal Tequila to replenish the ships stores, one can never be too prepared! He also had poured us a few shots the previous night of his famous "Mothers Milk" which we went back and bought a bottle or two of. It's kind of a Mexican Baileys...but with coffee, Mezcal, milk, cream & condensed milk....oh baby!

Add a few more days of wandering town, bars & food places, there's our time in Z-Town. Oh, Sailfest was getting going so there were beach festivities we may or may not have checked out :)

The check out process with the Port Captain was a real learning experience, proving to me one can't know enough spanish or carry enough copies of documents they already had from the check IN process just mere days prior....and patience, well, I thought I had a lot of that which was an understatement.

Escape to the fuel dock in Ixptapa we did, topped up tank and a couple jerry cans on deck and headed out to the island. Snorkeling was unbelievable, anchorage was calm and people friendly, just what the doctor ordered.

Here we are, bashing into the wind enroute to Manzanillo. Day 1 Night 1 done, repeat once more and we are having an anchor down beer at a new venue, can't wait!!

Las Hadas Resort...be warned....

Well, it’s official, the Brothers Wade have landed!
I waited at the corner of excited & bring it on avenue for the first glimpse of a white Citio (taxi) that would be transporting Mr. Personality from the airport.

As I watch countless taxi’s roar by I’m thinking maybe he misread my directions? Stopped by a cantina on the way? met some senorita? All plausible realities! But then, from a distance of about a block…I hear….

BROOOOOOSKI!…ARRIBA ARRIBA. EEYA EEYA…oh, who could THAT BE?

Out steps my Broski with an empty magnum bottle of Victoria beer, a back pack & duffle bag….dear lord….here we go sports fans!!

Well, we shuttle all his stuff out to the boat, have an adult beverage or 3…then surf land the dingy back on the beach & look for a place to have dinner. Ended up being us, with a resin table & chairs that the guy from the palapa put right out in the sand for us….table for 2, yes please, view of sun setting on a gorgeous harbor, Hellz yeah, toes in the sand & NO BUGS! This place is really growing on me.

After Dinny we strolled around town getting our bearings. Of course in true Wade fashion we are chatting up tons of people along the way to nowhere special and trip on a big curb, landing perfectly in a chair at the tiny bar that served us some of the smoothest tequila I have ever tasted! Just the owner, his wife and a gal that was chatting us up about where to go and what to do…her name was Regina. Perfect timing as we were just wandering about town listening for the next band!

Regina became our tour guide to the next venue, a small bar that had live music, a band she knew…and everyone knew her, she’s been coming here for 17 years.
Faster than you could say Cat in a Hat she was up on stage and playing Harmonica….she didn’t just play that thing, she OWNED it!!! It was fun to watch. And more tequila followed with some cold beer to chase it with, and on the night went; wash, rinse, repeat. Welcome to Zihua Broski for the mostki!

Following day was, uh….well lets just say we slept in a bit. Then checked out the beach on the other side of the bay, unbelievable homes, hotels & palapas for your dining pleasure. We walked up & down the beach, found a cold beer for rehydrating, then of course we HAD to take advantage of the 2 x 1 margaritas on the way back to the dingy. Launching through the building surf was free entertainment for the onlookers, of which we got no applauds :(. We are not amateurs.

Well, all for now, coffee’s on & Mr. Sleepy Head just rustled up forward….let’s just see what kind of shenanigans we can come up with today folks!!!

Keep the comments coming!
Capt. I need to hydrate more -

Kinda weird to think, it’s like christmas morning…the anticipation of something exciting! My Brother is on flight #2 to Zihuatanejo! I got here yesterday. It was a long 50 hr motor against the weather to get here, sometimes you just gotta man up and get through it!!

I left Carrizal after a glorious 4 days in one of the most pristine anchorages in all of Mexico. The water was gin clear and breathtaking for snorkeling and all the other water activities done off the boat. Did lots of chillin’ (I know, I know…quit rubbing it in Lawnboy!) Scrubbed the bottom, waterline & fresh water soapy bath for the topsides and all the stainless. She sparkles again!

My sights were set to put in about 28 hrs down the road but ducked in to check out the only tenable stop along this barren coastline and was greeted buy HUGE swells coming straight in and breaking on the beach just adjacent to the small anchor spot. Tired (zero sleep for first leg), hungry & frustrated, I pushed on. In hindsight it was a good move as it gave me an entire day to prepare for my brothers arrival here in Zihua. It still boggles my mind how much crap one can pack on to a small 37’ sailboat! The entire forward cabin was chock full of things “I needed” when leaving Seattle.

A couple of hours later I had carved out a nice cubby for my new crew member, all the while finding some really cool shit that I forgot was even on board!! It’s the little things:)

As I sit here under cover in the cockpit typing this next entry, it is 88 degrees headed to 90+, nice breeze, beautiful skies & a cold electrolyte in my hands…must prepare for the pickling of my liver that will surely accompany the two Broski’s plans. Just sayin. I promise not to drink & blog…but it may be more interesting content!

Stay well my friends and please keep reading & commenting, it’s my fuel to write!

P.S. Photo is of this beautiful town and the walk down the malecon. The entire bay is walkable which excites my inner steps counting..Bring it Zihua!

Signed,
A Happy Sailor.

Ok, so where did we leave each other?
Oh, yeah, I was enjoying a free salt water spa day while you all were reading in some sort of other comfort trying to wrap your head around why I do this thing? Well I can't attest to the other ocean sailors out there but for me, it's a means of getting from A to B with some adventure along the way. So there. Now you get me.
Let's continue, I promise, no more drama but you gotta admit it makes for good content!

After chilling in Chamela (a nice anchorage with decent protection) I watched a few days slip by doing literally nothing but reading books, cooking, swimming, paddle boarding...shit man, I didn't even launch the dingy! Never went to town...just what the doctor ordered. I could feel Wades Aweigh doing the same, appreciating me letting her just swing in the breeze, serving shade protection to tons of little fishies from the big fishies, alas there were some of the smaller tribe that never lived to bite another day but so goes the cycle of life. Even with my diligence with spin fishing, changing lures, times to fish, throwing chum in the water (read: moldy bread) I could not get even one of the bigger fishies interested in my expensive lures. Oh, you just wait, your day is coming!

It's always fun waving & shouting spanish to the Panga fishermen as they zoom by me late afternoon, headed out for the evening bite, some of whom don't return until the following morning. What a tough way to make a living, respect! On the 3rd day Manuel came by and stopped long enough to hold up a HUGE snapper. "Hey Penon! you want in Pescado Grande?". (a big fish). I'm like, "Sorry bro, just me, not enough freezer space!" I gave him a cold bottle of water and fist bumped him anyway, not to see him again as I left the following morning.

0800 coffee is on. I review my charts and decide the 15 mile passage to Melaque is nothing to get my undies in a bunch about so have a lazy morning. Up anchor at 11:00 and motor sail my way south as the wind is not at the right angle and my batteries need charging, solar & wind turbines not keeping up with my refrigeration and freezer needs. Trip is just as pleasant as can be, the nasty mean ocean of late is just nice and welcoming, just as I planned. Warm sea breeze holds my perspiration at bay as I use a wet washcloth on my face and head for climate control. It's 85 and clear, sea is a cottony cobalt blue that defies any color scheme you would see in a paint store, a custom blanket of deep blue ocean complemented by an equally intense blue sky laced with whispers of cotton candy clouds. I am humbled to be here, right now, right this moment; I deep breathe it all in...not wanting to let it go, it's magical.

My deep thoughts of this majesty I'm in the middle of were broken my a HUGE tail...SPLASH SPLASH SPLASH! 3 whales a mere 100' off my bow are playing. I never tire of seeing the ocean mammals at play, truly breathtaking. Then, a turtle, then dolphins...my bunk mates have returned. Eagerly I try to keep in step with both, but they are too fast and uninterested in me this day. I bid them farewell and go on my merry way.

We pulled into Melaque mid afternoon, to my surprise only one other boat! And what a boat! An aluminum 80' expedition style sailboat, grand, commanding vessel...oh yes sir...you watch...I will get on that bad boy one way or another!

Next day I see an inflatable heading right for me, nice fellow says, "Hi neighbor! I'm Gary.". We chat for a bit and he invites me over for a tour of their boat....what did I just say about "you watch?" Yup....show and tell time!!
Later that day I was headed ashore (yes, needed supplies) and stopped by. Gary & Linda are full time cruisers and very welcoming. I got the full tour including engine room while Linda puttered around. It was a magnificent ship, everything supersized and well thought out. The boat was built for high lattitudes and did the arctic many years ago. Kewl!

On my last day ashore I met Lou Lou from Quebec who was staying for 6 months in a condo. After a massive happy hour Margarita (see pic!!) she invited Dave & I to stop by her lake cabin on our way to Nova Scotia (oops, spoiler alert) this summer on a big moto adventure. People are so nice...all you gotta do is say hello!

The following day I departed for Carrizal, my current pit stop. It's my Dads favorite anchorage in Mexico and one of my top 3. More later on this 3 day stay. Super stoked to get to Zihuatenejo and pick up my Broski! Let the games begin!!!

Washed the boat from stem to stern today to remove the 20# of dried salt from the storm. Tomorrow is organized down below and then i'm off...just shy of 200nm ahead.