We're off!!

Leaving in a few minutes for Mazatlan.  More news and pictures when we return, or, if we have time, from Mazatlan.

Feels like home

My welcome home flowers!

 After a full day of travel yesterday I arrived in San Jose Cabo around 3:30 p.m. I'd set my alarm 3:30 a.m. and arrived at Raleigh-Durham  two hours before my 7 o'clock flight. When Larry flew back to Mexico in December we managed to get him to the airport about an hour and a half  before an early morning departure to find long lines at both check in and security. He made the flight with barely room to spare and I was determined to not repeat that. However there was only one person in front of me at check-in and I breezed through security in less than five minutes which gave me time for coffee and a bite to eat and an hour or so with my favorite author.
My flights and connections were pleasant. I met two nice,  fun-loving ladies in Charlotte who were on their way to Cabo San Lucas.  By the time we arrived in Los Cabos (and after several glasses of wine) they were questioning me on the availability of eligible men in La Paz, just in case they didn't have any luck trolling in Cabo.  I wished them luck and told them I knew a couple of guys in La Paz if they did indeed strike out! We landed and I waited anxiously to retrieve my checked baggage after going through immigration. But as the last piece was picked up it was obvious that mine had not arrived. Sure enough, my suitcase went for a side trip to Santiago, Chile! Hopefully it will arrive here in the Marina tomorrow as we are planning, if the Norther passes, to be on our way to the mainland by Friday or Saturday.
Larry was waiting outside of customs; wow, it was so good to see him again.  We drove to La Paz (about a three hour trip) and arrived just after dark. Little had changed in the city since I was here eight months ago and I felt like I was coming home.
Larry has worked so hard on projects and made a number of improvements to Milagro in my absence. And quite honestly I was super-impressed with the neatness of the interior, particularly as I know he has been working hard on other tasks! We had talked about eating at one of our favorite restaurants but just decide to stay in. So it was Modelo Especial and snacks, followed by a long awaited shower for me and a good night's sleep.
I woke up this morning to sunshine and a cool (but not cold!) temperature. Then it was off for the short walk to the dock restaurant and lots of hot coffee and a huge breakfast. Back on Milagro we finished some odd jobs then drove to a new mega store to purchase supplies for our trip and look for several items our friend John wants us to bring to him in Mazatlan. Back at the marina I began sorting and putting away supplies and Larry went on deck to complete a job there.
I am very content being back here in La Paz and on board Milagro and most especially happy to be with my husband again.

Food for thought...

I intend to keep this in mind (focusing on the safe landing part!) as we cross the Sea of Cortez on my first passage.  -_-

(Thanks, Maureen)

On your mark, get set......

La Paz, seen from the mountain above Marina Palmira

In two days I will be on my way to La Paz, Mexico via Charlotte, Phoenix and San Jose Cabo. I'm just about ready: all the plans are in motion and most of the items on my list have check marks next to them. A good friend who had spent much of her life traveling overseas once told me, "The only things you absolutely must have with you to begin a journey are your plane ticket, your passport and a credit card. As long as you have those three things you can purchase any other necessities upon your arrival." Check... check... and check.

Erin and I at Bay Fest

Yum! Taco fixin's

Of course I am excited about seeing Larry again as well as revisiting Milagro, good friends, and the city of LaPaz. And, sigh, I confess my mouth is watering for tortilla soup, chilaquiles, tacos and double stuffed white chocolate covered Oreos (an American-made confection which I am unable to locate in Publix, Harris Teeter, Food Lion, or WalMart, but is readily available in Chedraui in downtown La Paz!)
And although I am already eager to make this trip, there is a new incentive: the past few days have been cold and rainy, so dreary even Mary Poppins would have had a hard time being cheerful.  I long for sunshine and comfortable temperatures and being able to step outside without coat, hat, scarf, gloves and boots. So I'll be off in a couple of days, bound for balmy weather, a reunion with my Captain and the beginning of a new adventure.  La Paz, here I come!

Inspiration

Milagro with spinnaker unfurled...

  “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe  harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain