The Mexico Gang

2010-06-10T13:34:00.000-07:00

A fine afternoon for cocktails with a few friends!

2010-04-24T15:12:00.000-07:00

Life is good!

2010-04-17T17:17:00.000-07:00

Golf anyone? You really had to be there!

2010-04-10T06:15:00.001-07:00

Another great party at Jim and Jan's

2010-04-02T17:34:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter everyone! Sure wish we were spending ours like this.

2010-03-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

Another fun day being towed back to the boat!

2010-03-28T03:55:00.000-07:00

Check out this oldie but goodie. This was way BK (Before Kirby) and probably was around '94. We are looking pretty good wouldn't you say?

It was taken at a condo complex in Nuevo where Jim and Jan knew someone so we used the pool and purchased a few refreshments until the storm got too close and we needed to leave.

2010-03-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

Old familiar faces and party time again!

2010-03-25T07:35:00.001-07:00

Of course we all remember these guys. What a great time that night.

2010-03-22T18:40:00.000-07:00

Somewhere in Mexico? Do you remember where?

THE Bull

2010-03-14T17:48:00.000-07:00

When Annie posted her Bull picture on FB, I knew I had one too and just had to go find it. I used to have one with the bottle in his mouth but I couldn't find it. In this picture Tony looks on while our little friend Bobby got to ride the drunken bull. This was in about 1995 - it was BK.

Another fine day at the beach!

2010-03-14T15:54:00.000-07:00

Lucy you have a lot of 'splaining to do and Charles who always helped himself to our liquor without asking

2010-02-20T09:48:00.000-08:00

The old days on "Thistle"...The good old days.
Before we had new cushions made.
When Charles brightened our lives.

2010-02-20T05:23:00.000-08:00

Suzie, I believe that was your friend that you came down with that week and of course our dear friends Ron and Margi. That was such a wonderful day and brings back fond memories.

2010-02-18T15:56:00.000-08:00

What a great picture of you guys on Pepina Rae! Found more pictures of that day and of that week. I'll post more this weekend.

Ray

2010-02-12T08:40:00.000-08:00

Now here is a classic "C" dock picture. Frank and Darlene and the only thing missing is the goose!

2010-02-07T10:39:00.000-08:00

This is a great shot of Lucy and our old friend Charles back on "C" dock.

2010-02-05T13:54:00.000-08:00

This was a great shot of "Ponga Man" and Mollie back in Tenacatita. What great times we all had together!

2010-01-23T05:32:00.000-08:00

I know some
of these pics we've seen before, but thought they were worth another look in this collage.

Ray

2010-01-09T10:53:00.000-08:00

When it's cold and wintery here in San Antonio, I remember how nice it was back on "E" dock in Nuevo. This picture was taken in February of '09 when the temp was probably 78 or 80 degrees. "Pepina Rae" is back up north with the new owner in Santa Cruz. I believe Jim and Heather were the last to see her in San Diego.

Barra Now

2010-01-02T08:19:00.000-08:00

Well it sure looks different now...~~It has electricity!~~
It is so beautiful at night!

And so full of big boats like this!~~With their own electricity!~~
With their own pretty lights!
~~Just like the lights on our boats!~~

Barra de Navidad

2009-12-31T16:09:00.000-08:00

This should bring back a few memories. When we were the only ones there!!

2009-12-30T12:43:00.000-08:00

A few shots of the old Nuevo marina like we used to know it!

Animas

2009-12-26T03:39:00.001-08:00

Lucy, those are great pictures and took me right back there! And Cajun! What fun to see her! I looked closely at each picture and could not find pictures of Kirby or I....wonder where we were. :) Thanks for posting those. Lee was with us when we went and now he will be here tomorrow! Can't wait to see him.!

2009-12-24T13:01:00.000-08:00

Just a few more to get us in the mood. Damn! Those were some fun times

2009-12-24T13:00:00.000-08:00

2009-12-24T12:57:00.000-08:00

2009-12-24T12:56:00.001-08:00

2009-12-24T12:56:00.000-08:00

2009-12-24T12:55:00.000-08:00

2009-12-24T12:54:00.000-08:00

2009-12-24T12:39:00.000-08:00

2009-12-24T12:36:00.000-08:00

2009-12-24T12:29:00.000-08:00

Memories of Christmas past! Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Ray and Lucy

2009-11-29T08:04:00.000-08:00

Another great day aboard "Pepina Rae" somewhere in the Sea of Cortez.

2009-11-25T06:31:00.000-08:00

As usual more eating and drinking on "C" dock and I do believe it was around Thanksgiving time. We wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving and wish we could all be together again. Today we are going to have a practice for tomorrow with some fried oysters and shrimp to make some New Orleans Po-boys and of course some bignets for desert. Tomorrow we will be at Mac and Consuelo's house for the big day and of course will take pictures.

Sucking Tail

2009-11-23T18:00:00.001-08:00

You want old pics?
Pre-Mexico pics?
Jim and Ray sucking poor innocent crawfish's lives right out of their poor innocent crawfish bodies pics?
Ok.How about sweet little nephew (who is now almost 20 years old) and sweet little dog (who is in dog heaven eating snausages) pics?
Got those too.Ok, I feel better now.

2009-11-22T07:44:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since anyone posted so I thought it's time for another goodie. Just another rainy cold night in Ventura but nothing a little fire and a few glasses of wine can't cure!!

Kirby and Lee Heading South

2009-06-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

I wasn't there for this picture so I hope that Kirby will fill in what was going on, when it was, who took the picture, etc. Kirby - tell us all!

Happy days aboard Thistle

2009-06-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

As always, remembering the good times at "C" dock

2009-05-31T06:07:00.000-07:00

The unknown guy is Tony and his girlfriend Nancy. They were boat guests of another couple and were delightful folks. Tony was real handy around the galley and helped Lucy with all the prep and cooking for the feast that day. Of course he took a real shine to Fritz and vice versa.

Thanksgiving Day 1995

2009-05-26T15:32:00.000-07:00

We had such a great time that day with our friends at Tenacatita. One of the most beautiful anchorages in Mexico.

Lena

2009-05-11T14:44:00.000-07:00

This was the last day on Lena. Kirby was getting the jib hanked on for her trip south. Believe it or not, she is still in Acapulco and in good shape. We have an open invitation to come visit and sail her anytime.
(By the way - I have not seen those good look'n legs in a long time!)

Barra Breakfast Club

2009-04-12T16:50:00.000-07:00

Ok, name those people!Name their boats!
~~Name what they had for breakfast!~~

Mystery Picture No. 2

2009-03-05T16:22:00.001-08:00

This picture was taken at Punta de Mita before it was developed. We took a bus out and enjoyed a day at the beach under the palapas. How things change.

This picture was taken in August of 1993. Where is it?
Vote on the right.
Where are all the votes??? Is this too hard for my Mexican Cruising Buddies? Let's see - a hint....OK, we have ALL anchored here at one time or another or maybe many times. Does that help?

Mystery Picture Revealed

2009-02-18T17:27:00.000-08:00

We had one vote for Yelapa, one for Piedra Blanca and 2 for Chamela.

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS.....PIEDRA BLANCA ..... in Banderas Bay. This is where Kirby and I met but the picture was taken back in 1993. It is where I spent my first Christmas in Mexico (1992) right there at the palapa with the owners and their family. It is one of my best memories.

So, if you guessed Piedra Blanca - you won!

Us

2009-02-08T05:01:00.001-08:00

Can someone tell me where we are in the picture? I am thinking Famar's in Bucerias. Loved that place. Great burgers!

Tenacatitia Jose

2009-02-08T04:44:00.000-08:00

I wonder what has ever happened to Jose at Tenacatita. Here he is pictured with one of his 23 grandchildren. He was a really good grandpa - loved each one of them so much. His was not the cleanest or the nicest palapa on the beach but it was in the corner where we landed our dinghies (from the outer anchorage) and he had the best Mescal in the world! And he was always entertaining!

I hope others will add their memories of Jose!

Banderas Bay Regatta - 1997

2009-01-25T04:44:00.001-08:00

The year was 1997. The place, Bahia de Banderas. Kirby and I had had just met in January and I was back down to Mexico in the spring for the regatta. Kirby's boat (Lena) was in Barra de Navidad and he had taken the bus up to PV for the event. We were staying in Nuevo with Jim and Jan "Picante". When I planned the trip I didn't know that I would be racing in the the regatta. And I sure didn't know that we would win! Kirby and I were invited to crew aboard "Starsong" with Steve who sailed his Morgan 41 to the championship with a crew of Kirby, Curly, myself and Galtitta - or Titters - the cat. My job was to stand in the companionway and hand up beers as needed. I loved hearing Steve bark out orders as we raced around the course. He was fantastic!

It was a great day and then that night we all went to the awards ceremony and Steve received his trophy. So many years ago and still such a wonderful memory. Congratulations on a great win, Steve!

Tenecatita Coco Loco - Chino, the Grand Champion

2009-01-15T16:42:00.001-08:00

This is for Natalie, Chino's daughter.

Christmas Dinner 1998

2009-01-11T07:27:00.000-08:00

I think this was Christmas 1998 in Nuevo Vallarta. Lee was down visiting from California. We did the turkey on Lena and took it to Pepinarae for our celebration dinner. While we were sitting in the cockpit having our meal, another "cruiser?" came by to tell us about some "bad guys" on the loose and hand out a flyer. She stayed and stayed and stayed and made us so mad! That pretty much ruined our dinner. But, we had each other and were happy!

Happy New Year's Eve!

2008-12-31T07:19:00.000-08:00

In looking back at "Thistle's" New Year's Eves while cruising...
December 31, 1998 was spent at the Southern anchorage of Bahia Santiago.
According to the "stick figure book" we spent New Year's Eve doing the following:
Motored in to Manzanillo for diesel - smooth fueling.
John Francis was our boat bouy!
Back to Santiago - pillow blocks causing us problems.
Bus into "Commercihell" - 8 million people in the grocery store... Taxi back (this I believe was when the back seat of the taxi was wet and we asked the driver if some kid peed back there, but he said no, it was some people in wet bathingsuits)...
Meridian wine and BLT's were great!
100's of fireworks and firecrackers at midnight! YIKES!

"Libre", "Thistle" and "Pepina Rae" at anchor in Santiago.

Sunset in Santiago...

Ixcuintle Dogs ~ Just as Bad as the Cats

2008-12-31T07:10:00.000-08:00

We weren't there for the shaved cat, but we did get to see a Mexican Ixcuintle hairless dog on a camping road trip with "Princess New York" and "Alana Marie" back in March of 1999.

The road trip is a whole other story...
Imagine camping with Ian, Anne, Carol and Curly.
Just imagine.

To Make Kirby Turn Purple

2008-12-28T10:24:00.000-08:00

2008-12-23T14:54:00.000-08:00

I found this picture in our collection. Not sure who these young "hottie"s" are or even where and when the picture was taken. I would welcome any information anyone can provide.

Happy Birthday to Ray!

2008-12-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

So back to the stick figure book again...

The year?
1998
The birthday boy?
Ray
The location?
Tenacatita
The dinner?
On "Pepina Rae"
The dessert?
Toffee bars by me
The decorations on the dessert?
Dinosaurs
Why?
Because it was his 50th birthday!

What else happened?
We were serenaded by a singing Christmas tree, courtesy of "Shamaness"!

Ballerina

2008-12-14T08:54:00.000-08:00

Who can spot the ballerina amongst us? All groups need one and we had ours too! The Ballerina posed with us at Costa Azul, just north of PV a little ways.

Jim, Heather, Kirby, Suzie, Ray and Lucy
Having fun as usual!

On This Day in 1998...

2008-12-12T14:10:00.001-08:00

My "Stick Figure Book" (log book or diary) reads:
"TENACATITA"
"Bacon, fried eggs and hash for b-fast. I finished up the X-mas cards. Jim helped Ray with his generator. Kayaked in to beach with Ron and Jim in the dinghy. Played frisbee. Kayaked past all the Mexicans camping. Beers on beach. Ray came to make Lucy's birthday card. Eary dinner. Baked cake and cookies".

Which means tomorrow is someone's birthday!
Here is the birthday girl with her cake.Complete with little fish decorations...

HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY LUCY!

Who's that boat?

2008-12-12T07:09:00.001-08:00

Are you SURE you can trust Kirby? He might be wrong!

2008-12-12T05:24:00.000-08:00

There's a big red truck! It's our favorite Bounced Czech on Blue Snail.

Name the Mystery Boat

2008-12-11T17:05:00.000-08:00

Here is the fun! Can you name this boat? And can you do it without reading any comments? You can go to the polling area to the right and cast your vote. You can also leave a comment but do it AFTER you vote.

Have fun and Good Luck!

Adios CA, again

2008-12-04T10:28:00.000-08:00

Sure wish I could find another pair of those good looking sweat pants....
Y took this as we crossed the border in '94

OK, Who Wants to Explain This?

2008-12-02T17:49:00.001-08:00

First we need the un-edited version of "the chipmunk in the vending machine at college" story Rayme!

And then Kirby, Suzie, Jim or I can explain this...

Lucy will make anyone smile - it's her job!

2008-11-30T14:41:00.001-08:00

This is our favorite picture of Lucy. I needed to smile and I saw this picture and couldn't help but be happy!

This was in January 1997 when I was visiting Banderas Bay and Ron and Margy were on vacation aboard Pepinarae. And, yes, it was the week Kirby and I met.

2008-11-29T17:24:00.000-08:00

Oh, my goodness, Ray, do I ever remember Ernestos! First time I went there was a million years ago and he was in a little place by the Pemex station going into town. Then he moved to that hotel - La Paloma - or something like that that overlooked the bay. It was great there with all is wild animals. He loved the cruisers and we loved him - and his tortilla soup. Then he moved out closer to the marina and I can't even remember areas any more, it has been so long but I can still see the places. He took the animals with him didn't he?

Well, in case anyone wants to try, here is the original recipe that I have had longer than I have had Kirby! Good luck figuring this one out!

Have you been thinking of tortilla soup lately?

2008-11-29T16:44:00.001-08:00

Remember Ernesto's drug?

Ray

The Grand Poobah of Banderas Bay

2008-11-27T16:42:00.000-08:00

In going through my pictures I came across this one of our very own Grand Poobah of Banderas Bay and the Rest of the World! Jim "Picante" Ketler. What wonderful memories I have of this great man!

In 1997 Kirby and I headed down the coast from Mazatlan and offshore Kirby became seriously ill. As I approached Banderas Bay I got Jim on the radio and he took me into Punta Mita at night by radar and got me anchored. He talked me through the whole thing and kept me calm. I don't know what I would have don't without him.

But my favorite one is the Ham Radio story. In 1993 I used to call my father every Saturday morning to check in. He only had a receiver and we had all the scheduling worked out. So I really was all alone on the radio talking to my dad, telling him what we had done that week. Every so often I would say "Over", think about what to say next and then talk again. Poor Jim who was just down the dock from us couldn't figure out why I could hear my dad and he couldn't! Drove him crazy!

We all miss the Grand Poobah!

Ray's Coco-Open Outfit

2008-11-25T08:12:00.001-08:00

Nope.
No woman's lingerie for him.
Just a big, big hat!

Ahh, we both remember this picture being taken...we love it. We remember it at a palapa on a beach somewhere. Was it Tenacata? By the way, Ray says you are more than welcome for not wearing a teddy, Really, he says it was not problem at all. Anything for your guys!! Lucy and Ray

More Coco Loco

2008-11-24T16:29:00.001-08:00

Here is my first contribution to the Coco Loco. Oh, what a day that was. Do you remember that poor Linda (?) was suffering from a scorpion bite and couldn't be there to host her own event with Chino. She had gone to put on her boots that morning and hadn't checked them for scorpions first. She was really sick.

So, who do we see here???
Alan, Cruiser and Susan in the back. And in the front row we have Lucy (what is she doing with her back to the camera? Lucy camera shy??? I don't think so!), Kirby, Heather, Kitty, Jim, and then the notes say, Don, Sylvette, Jan and Kelly.

Here is another view of the same pictures. Notice that most everyone is ignoring me. That's why I always take at least 2 pictures...........well, sometimes.

And here is my action shot - I know who some of these people are - well, Alan is easy because you can recognize his shoes, but can someone help with the rest? Please!!!???

Someone Had to Post This... The Tenacatita Coco-Open!

2008-11-24T12:57:00.001-08:00

Well is was going to come out sooner or later.
Here is sooner.
The infamous TENACATITA COCO-OPEN!
Where you find your own "golf" club somewhere in nature and use a coconut as your "golf" ball.
The course was set up by the late Chino of the outer beach at Tenacatita.
Complete with water hazard.
Oh ~ I forgot a vital part...
The attire.
It is either plaid attire similar to what Payne Stewart would wear
OR...
Women's lingerie!
Not too many of us had plaid golf pants on board, but we did come up with some women's lingerie!
Check out Jim, Chino, Steve and Alan!

Not everyone dressed up however...

Lucy and Jim

Stevie-boy and Jim

And part of the lovely course!

With an awards ceremony after!

Chino won that year.

Another Day in the Life of Kirby Townsend

2008-11-22T07:54:00.000-08:00

Try remembering this one Kirb!!! Happy B-Day! from Ray and Lucy

Lunch at Wahoo's!

2008-11-21T14:38:00.000-08:00

Hey ~ another photo of the six of us!And thanks to the "stick figure book", I can tell you everything about this picture!
On 04-19-99, the six of us drove North out of Banderas Bay to San Francisco.
No, not "that" San Francisco.
The one just North of Sayulita.
Suzie and Kirby were getting ready to drive back to the States, so Jim and I joined them for a road trip to Tepic and Tequila.
Ray and Lucy joined us for the day to have lunch at Wahoo's!
I can even tell you what I ate ~ cobb salad!
My guess is that Jim had a hamburger.
Anyone else remember what they ate?

(Suzie) Wow, I remember that day. It was so sad to leave Ray and Lucy behind but we had such a great road trip! I think I probably had the Cobb Salad also as it was the best salad in all of Mexico at the time. I still remember how good it was. And I loved the place - Costa Azul I believe. Right there on the water, clean and quaint and never crowded. Wonder if it is still there.

And here is a picture of Heather and Jim taken on that road trip.

Lucy: I definitely remember this trip...very fondly too. This is the trip on which I thought I took Kirby and Suzie's profile picture. There must be another pic around that is oh so familar. We'll find it one day. Now girls, I remember the trip well enough, but OMG how can you remember what you ate? My lack of recall is making me feel older by the day. There is one consolation...you two document much more that I do. I consider that a failing of mind. What I consider failings are things I wish were different about me. Change is hard! Love to all four of you! Happy Birthday Kirby...I won't ask!!

Suzie: Oh, Lucy, don't worry, we can't remember either. Heather had it recorded and I am "assuming" as I remember that salad. When I told Kirby about the post - he said oh, I probably had a cobb salad - that was BEFORE I mentioned the salad. I think they had great hamburgers too. We remember things like that ---Karen's for Eggs Benedict and Champangne or Bloody Mary's. Ah, the good old days!

Lucy: Suzie, you are so gracious. It's one of the things I love about you. I know I'm getting old and forgetful...what were we talking about??

Heather adds: Well I only know because it was documented in the "stick figure book" (my log). Or I wouldn't have even known who the heck I was standing with! ha ha !!

More Dog Tormenting

2008-11-19T20:13:00.000-08:00

Tenacatita Dog Tormenting!
Ha ha!
Found another picture of Jim, Ron and Lucy tormenting ~~my nephew~~ the dog.You didn't see me in the water picking on the dog, now did you?

(Suzie) Why does Lucy look so happy about the dog being tormented???

Day 2 - 1997

2008-11-19T16:45:00.000-08:00

On that fateful week back in 1997 when Kirby and I met, we all boarded "Cajun" and headed off to Las Animas beach on the south shore for a day. I have a picture somewhere of Dick with a silly black dreadlocks wig on but I can't find it. It was a great day for me! I spent more time with Kirby and got to enjoy my favorite bay. I don't think we did much but hang out and drink and get silly. If anyone else has a memory to share about that day, I would love to hear it.

Lucy: We remember it well. We all had a great time, as we always did at Animas. It was so much fun watching you and Kirby flirt with each other! Ray and I were jealous. We wanted that exciting spark back. After 39 years, it's hard to spark. We are just so comfortable with each other and of course adore each other. That deep longtime affection is a substitute for the spark. We don't mind at all.

2008-11-16T16:28:00.000-08:00

Here is my picture of Fritz. It was a contest between Fritz and Ron over who had the most hair. I think Ron won.

The Almighty Dog

2008-11-16T13:05:00.000-08:00

Ok, it's time.
It's time to talk about "the dog".
Hail to "the dog"!Actually this was our way of tormenting "the dog"...
~~Eek, hope PETA doesn't read this blog!~~
No, this was his way of being with us when we cooled off.
Uh, he enjoyed it. Right?

The Almighty Dog?
His name was Fritz.
He was loved by all.
~~Tormented by few.~~
And belonged to Ray and Lucy.
Learned to pee on the boat on the way down Baja.
Would bark hello to us.
Would back up and "assume the position".
Which meant he would sit with his back to you directly in front of you, so you would have to pet him.
For. Hours.
He would also "assume the position" when the Mexican Navy would board "Pepina Rae".
Lucy would have to tell the Navy man to "pet the dog".
He thought "Thistle" was his other boat.
And our sole purpose in life was to pet him.

Ok, someone else can explain "smashies" and "do you wanna go to the beauty parlor?".

Clarification

2008-11-16T04:12:00.001-08:00

I finally found the pictures from that very important lunch at Piedra Blanca on January 19, 1997. I think the only 2 people that you really can't see in the pictures are our Lucy and Sally Wood.

So, that attendance list would read - by boat name -
Picante - who brought me to the lunch,
Pepinarae - who brought Ron and Margy
Luana
Bill Fisher
Diosa
Dos Leos
and last but not least!!!----Lena

It wasn't only Kirby that I met for the first time that day. I didn't know Ray and Lucy, Ron and Margy, Ray and Sally or Mac and Consuelo. How my life changed as a result of Jan saying to me, "We have someone we want you to meet!" I didn't realize she meant SO many people! I love all of you!

2008-11-14T11:30:00.000-08:00

There's Lena on the left, and Grischuna II off her starboard bow. Ray and Lucy will remember this nice anchorage the next year ('96)

The Six of Us in Melaque

2008-11-13T09:19:00.000-08:00

Found a picture of the six of us!This was after we hung our ship's bell in Philomena's Restaurant.
We did the easy way out and instead of painting our boat name on the wall, painted it on the bell and hung the bell.
Of course the next year we went back and the bell was gone.
I'm sure it's hanging in some local's garden...

Suzie writes: What I hate about getting old is forgetting things. This is a vague memory! And who do you think that cute young blond is with Kirby?

Heather adds: Ha ha! Look how YOUNG we all were! Babes in the anchorage.

Manzanillo

2008-11-12T15:19:00.000-08:00

While we were anchored in Barra de Navidad in the lagoon we decided on an excursion to Manzanillo. So off we went on the bus - Kirby and I, Heather and Jim and Ray. Lucy didn't go. We explored the town, had lunch at the Colonial Hotel in the lovely courtyard and also had drinks at "Club Social". Club Social should be on everyone's list for a visit. It is so very typical of Mexico and is not a touristy-gringo place at all. There is a large circular bar and as soon as you sit down they start bringing small plates of food - all complementary. And it keeps coming as long as you sit there drinking. After lunch we made a quick stop at the Commercial store, picked up a good baguette and headed back to the boats.

Comments

2008-11-12T09:15:00.000-08:00

I hope our guests are reading the comments too because that is where we are all sharing our version of stories or making fun. Please don't miss that part and PLEASE, leave your own comment. We want to hear from you and know that you visited.

On the Topic of Bad Cats

2008-11-11T17:31:00.001-08:00

Here is Ray risking his life by tormenting Stowie the psycho kitty from "Alana Marie".That cat was pure evil.
Ian's arms had permanent scars from it.

So "Escape Velocity" made it a cat-a-pult.Nice fit.
This enabled Ian and Anne of "Alana Marie" to cat-a-pult the evil cat on over to "Blue Chablis" ~~suckers~~.
FFFaaaaaaawwwiiiinnggg!
[insert sound of cat-a-pult here]
Then we got this email:Adios cat from hell!

Contest!! - What are the folks on the other boat doing?

2008-11-11T16:13:00.000-08:00

The History of "Pepina Rae"

2008-11-11T15:46:00.000-08:00

This info is for the folks that follow and who don't know us well. Ray and I left "C" Dock of Ventura West (greatest place ever) in the Spring of 1995 headed for Mexico. We caught up with Kirby aboard Lena in Santa Rosalia and met his good friends Frank and Dana aboard "Blue Snail" and Steve and Mollie aboard "Star Song". Kirby stayed with us for a few days and then he headed to San Carlos so that he could go back to California for awhile. After a nice stay there, we, "Blue Snail" and "Star Song" sailed across the Sea to San Carlos and tried to hang out there for awhile. The heat was just unbearable for me and our very furry dog, Fritz. Frank and Dana came over to our boat at 9 a.m. one morning and found me in the cockpit just dripping sweat. It was already 94 degrees and sopping wet with humidity. I made an announcement to them and to Ray that I just had to get out of there and head up to the states. So, Frank, Dana, Shithead the cat, Ray, me and Fritz the dog all boarded a bus and headed to the border. We then rented a car together and drove to Simi Valley, CA. Fritz did not realize there was a cat in that zipper bag until we were almost to Simi Valley!! We had a fabulous time with Frank and Dana. It is one of our fondest memories.

After we returned to San Carlos in November, we sailed the Mexican Riviera that season and for 4 more. In 1999 we settled in Nuevo Vallarta and started The Yacht Works canvas shop. Kirby worked out of our shop doing refrigeration for a year. We closed the shop in 2006 to moved to San Antonio, TX to care for Lucy's ailing parents. Both parents are gone now and we are still in San Antonio trying to figure out what to do when we grow up.

Official Arrival in the Hood Gang

2008-11-11T07:47:00.000-08:00

That "Pepina Rae" and "Lena" couldn't hide from us!
We sailed South of Puerto Vallarta and motored around the point into Bahia de Navidad and into the anchorage at Melaque.
It was SO exciting to pull into that bay and see Ray, Lucy, Kirby and Suzie (dog, Fritz too) and yell and scream and circle their boats!
"Our" dog ("Pepina Rae" just thought he was their dog ~ he actually belonged to all of us) was up on the bow of Ray and Lucy's boat barking like mad when we started yelling his name!
It had been a long time since we had seen them.
Here we all are at anchor ~ "Lena" on the left, "Thistle" in the lower portion, "Pepina Rae" at the right and new friends Alan and Susan (and "our" other dog, Cruiser) at the top on "Toshal".So now what's your memory of that day?

The Lemmings

2008-11-10T18:28:00.000-08:00

Yes, we were the lemmings.
Well all the fun people had left C Dock in Ventura and had headed to Mexico.
Meaning Ray and Lucy on "Pepina Rae" and Kirby on "Lena".
Suzie was not in our picture yet.
She was an honorary C Dock member.
So we figured we had better follow in their wakes and head to Mexico.
By this time Suzie was in the picture.
We left the day after Christmas in 1997 on our Columbia 50', "Thistle".And ~~hunted them down~~ found them South of Puerto Vallarta in Melaque.
They couldn't get away from us!
And to introduce ~~the lemmings~~ us ~ here we are (not that this was on the way down, but it was our first year in Mexico):
Heather and Jim!

Saved by "Pepinarae!!!!"

2008-11-10T17:11:00.001-08:00

Some pictures are more famous than others. This picture of our Ray is a very famous picture. It was Thanksgiving 1997 at the home of Ray and Sally Steel. We had a great time at the dinner but the picture later brought us good luck.

We loved the picture very much and put it up on the bulkhead in the boat. One early morning while anchored in Melaque we were awakened from sleep by the sound of a boat nearby and someone knocking on the hull. We peeked out the port and saw that it was the Mexican Navy. Not wanting to get up and entertain that early in the morning we just ignored it and went back to sleep. But we were not forgotten. Some time later they returned and we had to invite them aboard. We offered them coffee and a tour of the boat. As the officer was looking around down below, all of a sudden, yelled, "Pepinarae!!". He had spotted the picture on the wall and recognized Ray, whose boat he had just visited. He smiled and laughed, we all laughed and all was well! He had his coffee, wished us well and went on his way. It was a good experience with the Mexican Navy thanks to "Pepinarae!!!"

And In the Beginning............

2008-11-10T16:21:00.000-08:00

We all left for Mexico at different times and had different experiences. Some of us didn't even know each other when we went to Mexico - like Kirby and I who met on the beach at Piedra Blanca - thanks to some really good friends. I first went to Mexico on Vol-au-Vent in 1992 and Kirby went in 1994. Finally we met in 1997 and history was made. Here is a picture of us at Las Animas Beach on Christmas Day 1997 or 1998 or thereabouts.