sv CHEZ NOUS: La Cruz to Barra Navidad and back to PV

Sunday Feb.14,2016

Valentine's Day was not so good for several reasons . We spent most of the day and evening helping to salvage as much as possible from the Sv Rage who had drug her anchor and ended up on the reef near the LaCruz anchorage and entrance to the Marina. What a sad event but everyone was quick to join in with dinghies, kayaks, buckets , dry bags and manpower to ferry things to the beach. Al says the entire port side was breached with rocks visible inside the boat when he was on the deck helping to save the sails.

Meanwhile our Boston family were delayed the entire day due to bad weather and mechanical difficulties on Southwest Airlines. First the fuel fill hose froze to the plane at -27 wind chill temp in Boston. Another plane and another mechanical delay caused them to miss their international connection so they stayed over in Houston . Finally arriving in La Cruz de Haunacaxtle on MONDAY, a day late but thrilled to be out of the cold.

Arriving around 3:00pm they got settled , had some dinner and explored La Cruz.

2-16-20016 we checked out with the Port Captain and at 1130 headed across the Bay to Cabo Corrientes and southeast to Barra de Navidad 134 nm and 24 hrs later entered the dredged channel into the Marina. We had 18-20 kts from behind with several jibes most of the day and night then motor sailing on a beam reach early in the morning.

Tied up at Isla Navidad Marina and greeted by a 12 yr old named Zoe same as our grand daughter Zoe with an invitation to the pool at the Baja Grande. There were about 6 other cruising kids all around 12-14 having a blast playing volleyball in the pool with a few parents joining in later in the afternoon.

We took a water taxi over to the town for an early dinner.

2-18-16

Underway at 1130 after the French Baker arrived by panga with amazingly good good pastries.

On the way out Al spotted Stan Honey's Cal 40 Illusion.

We motor sailed to Tenacatita arriving at 1400, anchored in 31'of water.

It's so nice and peaceful here we decide to stay another night, besides the Zoe B was scheduled to arrive in the am.

2-19-16

A dinghy kayak adventure through the jungle river.

A little beach time swimming in through the surf then back to boat for an evening raft up called by the Mayor of Tenacatita which was attended by at least 25 inflatables. No dinner needed after everyone passed around food. We were told to bring a plate and fork. This was no light affair.

Just before the raft up our sister ship anchored behind us. Looks so much like us on the outside but totally different on the inside.

2-20-16. Saturday underway at 0800 to Paradise Village with wind speed of 1 kt. Anchored at Isla Pajarera in Bahia Chamela for a 2 hr lunch break and swim as Zoe wasn't feeling great. Beautifully clear water which the kids loved following the anchor road to see if they could get to the anchor.

Pretty coast with castles on almost every point.

1630 wind picking up.

2100 wind came up, up , up.....,

Blowing +30 for hours tacking up the coast, hand steering with staysail and reefed main and mizzen. Topped out at 37 kts. Finally dropping to high 20's as we neared Ipala then continued to drop as we rounded Cabo Corrientes about 0600. A very rough night for all and especially Zoe who was a real trooper.