Wind And Waves

Here I am, chopping vegies for breakfast omlettes. I must admit……..my culinary skill are not the greatest. I think they could be……but I don’t have much of an interest. Sometimes, if I taste a really good bread or cinnamon rolls or tomato soup or tomoto sauce…..I’ll get inspired and ask for the recipe but other than that, I’d rather not cook. I think I’ve been spoiled in life, as I’ve been around people who are passionate about cooking and real artist’s in the kitchen. Some people who especially come to mind are Susan from Ithaca and Dan from Portland. I have enjoyed some delicious food! ME? I’m passionate about eating it! Ya gotta have someone to enjoy it, right? So, my role on Capricorn Cat has been the chopper of veggies, while Carol and Eric cook some delicious meals.

We arrived in the Bay of Banderas and anchored in the harbor outside the small town of La Cruz. Banderas Bay is where Puerto Vallarta is along with a number of small towns along the beach. The mountains are Grand along the bay. I had no idea that Puerto Vallarta was a city backed by mountains. Its really a beautiful setting, although it has never beckoned me…….perhaps that will change. I love exploring cities that are built up hills. But For now…….We’ve arrived just in time for Banderas Bay Blast, a fun race put on by Richard from Lattitude 38,  and much sailing and partying to do, Eric leaving, Mary arriving and meeting of many new friends………

I made this for myself to help keep me “centered” Sometimes when I travel, I start to feel a little off center. There is so much going on that is new, so many different people to talk to, coming from such different walks of life and a very relaxed lifestyle that is……….just different than I’m used to. I’ve been trained my whole life to get up early go to school,go to soccer. Then get up early go to work,come home regroup and go back to work. Its interesting getting to know another “way” of life. I’m really enjoying the time to get to know people and spend time on creative projects and listening to music and staring off into sea and feeling the strength and magnitude of nature. I can feel the little things becoming more important. I’m savoring this, it feels like a very special time to me and I think I am very lucky.

When the dolphins show up……it is a happy day!  Watching them invokes such a playfulness…its all I can do not to jump in a swim with them!

Here we are on a typical morning. We all enjoy reading and sipping coffee. Man, its a tough life! I find that I can really get into a book on this trip.  The ability to concentrate is a wonderful thing. sometimes though, I focus almost too deeply. I get sucked in.

Here is the area of Chacala in relation to Mexico. In the state of Nayarit (a little bigger than Maryland) A small fishing village and coconut plantation….brought to life by a woman named Laura (great name!) De Valle, an American Doctor, a zen Buddhist and vegetarian with a strong commitment to helping the less-fortunate. She built a lodge to house visiting American medical students volunteering at the local health clinic she founded to serve the Mexican poor. Chacala started attracting others with similar ideals, along with ‘eco-tourists’ looking for a tranquil, unspoiled and little-visited beach-town ‘off the beaten path’. They could stay in her rustic lodgings (and eat vegetarian) when there was room, and even pay a reduced rate if they volunteered on projects designed to help the community. (wikipedia) [Read more →]

Sailing away from Isla Isabela to Chacala was a beautiful run!  It was a day sail and we had a wind behind  us(downwind) which meant it was perfect conditions to fly the Spinnaker.  As soon as we got it up, we were running at about 9-10 knots.  What an incredible sensation it is to fly along with this colorful sail and feel the wind on your face and know that the only thing moving you along is nature.  Wayne let me on the helm for an hour or two.  I feel like I really got the feel of it!  You have to be careful because if you get off the wind, the spinnaker lufts and you’ve got a LOT of sail to deal with.

Working with the spinnaker is tricky business.  You’ve got to pre plan your steps and make sure every member of the team knows what there roles are.  Its can get away from you, then you’ve got it tangled or in the water or……….THere are ALL sorts of Spinnaker stories.  Wayne and Carol seemed to have a great system nailed out.

After a long sail……..birds started appearing around the boat. We must be getting close to Isabella island, land of the booby (no not what your thinking…..I’m talking about birds!) But you can imagine how many jokes were exchanged over this.

Actually, we had a boobie bird on the bow for the entire night and through the next morning until we ended up shooing him off so we could set anchor upon arrival.

Eric enjoying the flight patterns of our new friends….and wondering, if he puts his hand out, will they land on it??

Ohhhhh to be able to fly!

Something about birds flying in the sunset, seems so magical to me. Its about flight, and freedom and grace and calm, and reflection, and transition, and joy and play and infinity. Somewhere in those words, lay the secret ingredients to expressing the feeling I get, watching the boobies fly around us as the sunsets and we sail along.

Taking the Cat out of the water, is a very scary process. This boat is Wayne and Carols home and investment. A lot of pre-thought has to go into so it can be pulled off smoothly with no scratches….and something worse but we won’t even talk about what could happen. The evening before, we went around the boat in a dingy and Wayne marked the strong parts of the boat where the straps were to go.

Carol and Wayne working on getting the side board up so the straps can fit underneath

The “straps” I keep referring to.

Here she is. Strange seeing a boat out of the water….its so not natural.

Here the fellow are, fixing it. And Wayne keeping a close watch and knowing his engineering mind…..learning how to do it on his own.

He caught no quickly and was in there, in no time.

After the relief of having the job almost completed (still had to put the cat back in the water) There was some relaxed time for a photo.

And………some time for Eric and I to play around!

Almost as quickly as we had come….we left.  In under three hours we had been pulled the cat out and had a part fixed.  Everything went very smoothly.  On the boat we all gave each other a big “Salud, nice work Team!” High fives and hugs.  I could feel Wayne and Carols relief at the job having gone so successfully.