Maybe it's best to put up the spinnaker and sail away from the problems of the US economy. However, we can feel the stress even in Ensenada, Mexico where the marinas and streets are relatively void of tourists, where the gigantic Mexican flag flies high at the Plaza of three heads and where sailors come to join the "ninety day yacht club" so called to avoid California taxes. Well, taxes is one of the reasons we had to leave California early. Even though we're Oregon residents, in order to avoid paying the California sales tax for our boat, we had to take her out of California within 90 days of purchasing our boat. We made it exactly in 87 days. Deadlines help.
But I'm getting ahead of ourselves. Let me start where I left off -- in San Diego. We sailed out of San Diego at 11:00 pm Wednesday night with extra crew, Tom and Jo Matson. They used to live in the Gorge, but flying for UPS forced them to move to sunny San Diego. Just as the sea lions barked good-bye from the red buoys (remember to leave them on port when you exit a channel), I tried to coax Maya and Kai to go to bed. They protested, eager to stay up all night on watch. I told them they would have a productive sleep and wake up in Mexico and finally they acquiesced.
In the early morning, while I slept exhausted from staying up every few hours, Tim and Tom raised the spinnaker and sailed downwind at 6.5 knots with the 10 knot breeze. Kai tried fishing and Maya performed her "fast feet on fast boat dance." That's when she moves her feet as fast as she can in the cockpit. She's hoping to find crew who will join her. Maybe even a competition. Anyone interested?
We arrived in Ensenada in the early afternoon and now call Cruiseport Marina our home. It's the newest marina, the cleanest one and perhaps the safest one, with 24-hour guards and no surge. As I write, the boat is perfectly still. We can even leave our cupboards open without any banging or rattling. Maya and Kai are enjoying unicycling through town where everyone gasps, "Mirar, monociclo!" Over the weekend, they even helped a clown gather a crowd for his performance at the plaza.
Shana Tova -- Happy New Years! An appropriate time as we have finished the first leg of our adventure.
5 comments:
Hi Ruth,Tim, Kai and Maya.
Great to read of your adventures! We are so stoked to know you are doing this.
Bryce, Maureen and Kevin
Hi Guys!
Happy New Year to you, too! We ate apples and honey in your honor. We've really been enjoying the blog. Where to next?
Liz, Dave, Grace, and Tanner
Wow, "living the dream". Thanks for keeping us all entertained with your blog. We look forward to seeing where the wind takes you next. Love, The Fuentes Family
*We are all jealous seeing you still in shorts!
I've got pretty fast feet, though rafts travel slower than sailboats. I bet I could give Maya a run for her money. Between that and sailboat Indiana Jones...too much fun. Its great to follow your adventure. When do you put to sea again?
Hello Ruth and Family,
Dave sent me your link ... great to see you've been able to "exit stage left"! (I'm trying to convince Devon to do the same ... so no scary cruising stories!)
Fair winds and lot's of gloweee things in the water!
Rob A.
PS: It's been great fun to follow Ethan's tundra toils ... give him my best regards!
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