LightSpeed wins the Veleros de Baja yacht race.

 LightSpeed pulling toward line honors and a overall win at the Veleros de Baja race in La Paz, Mexico.

 Sailing into La Paz is always a treat... even with over 1.5 knots of ebb current.

Over the line a full 10 minutes before 2nd place finisher.  A big thanks to our secret weapon:  Bob from s/v Pantera who taught more than few trick over the course of the race.  Thanks Bob!

Rigging Project using Navtec Norseman Swageless fittings

 Adding a Navtec Norseman fitting.  Cone is in place.

 Inspecting lay of wires prior to final fitting.  NOTE:  Be sure to use lubricant on the threads when dry fitting.

 End view of wire.

 Bottom fitting is correctly tightened.  Top fitting was over tightened during dry fitting and the threads seized when trying to disassemble... use lubrication and DON"T over tighten the fitting.

 Another Navtec Norseman fitting installed on the forestay.

A huge thanks to John from s/v Time Piece hailing from Anacortes, Washington.  John spent a more than a few days on the project as a driving force.   Back at anchor with the new rigging installed.   Nice sunset in La Paz, Baja California Sur,Mexico.

New Years at 'The Shack'

 Travis fires up the grill at 'The Shack'.

 Kathy decked out after ringing in 2012.

 Sparklers

John from s/v Michaela jams on his electric Ukelele at 'The Shack'

Replacing the standing rigging on LightSpeed

 Broken strand of 1x19 stainless steel rigging shows it's time to replace all the wire.

 Working aloft at anchor in La Paz. 

It was a bit spooky to be near the top of the mast after removing the spreaders and the mast diamonds. 

Sunset Alert La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Sunset in La Paz.  And for a change we even got a break from the wind.  The Sea of Cortez is notorious for strong 'Northers' or North winds that blow for days on end during winter months. These strong winds also bring cooler temperatures and cause many a cruiser to loose sleep as gust of wind buffet the boats in the wee hours.

Back in La Paz

John (s/v Time Piece) and Kathy grab a beer at 'The Shack' in La Paz.  Super awesome pulled pork sandwiches for dinner.

Kathy at the central market for some tortillas and a quick picture at the manger.

Sea of Cortez - Holiday adventures.

 Kathy at an abandon sea salt mine.

 Salt Mushroom

More Sea salt

 This is a close as were going to get to ice skating this winter.

 Kathy scales another island summit at Isla San Francisco.

 Isla San Francisco Anchorage

Cruisers converge on the beach for a chat as we wait our a Christmas 'Norther'.  Left to right:  Ed (s/v AKA), Christine and Jeremy (s/v La Paloma), Fran (s/v AKA), Kathy (s/v LightSpeed) and Mark (s/v Prole).

San Juanico

 Installing dinghy wheels.  These are wheels that make it easyier to haul the dinghy up the beach when landing.  Imagine two wheel barrow wheels mounted on the transom of the dinghy. 

 Installing dinghy wheels in San Juanico.  Wheel on the left is in the stowed position and the wheel in my hands is ready to be fitted.

 Shark jaw bone? 

 Cruisers junk tree in San Juanico.  A sign post tree of sorts.

 San Juanico Anchorage from above.  Anchorage position: 26°22.1835 N    111°25.8247 W

Nice beach for an evening stroll and lots of cool shell fossils in some of the cliffs.

LightSpeed and her crew

 

 Kathy and Dave aboard s/v LightSpeed

 Looking forward.  Lower left is one of four 135 watt Kyocera Solar panels.  

 LightSpeed at anchor in Bahia Santa Maria Mexico

 LightSpeed showing off her 23'-3" beam. 

Photo Credits:  Charlie Magee  Thanks Charlie!

SUP action

Check out our new to us Stand Up Paddle board (SUP) it's .  A big thank you to Paul for selling us his SUP, paddle and board bag. 

Homemade Pork Breakfast Sausage

 


As we travel we enjoy adapting our diet to locally available foods in part due to basic economics of local vs imported and as part of the cultural experience.  You won't find LightSpeed loaded down with super size quantities of Costco goods from the States!  Bread is replaced with tortillas, apples with papayas, and beef or chicken with fresh fish.  Chorizo is great with eggs and tortillas, but there's nothing like the smell and flavor of some Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage in the morning.  Homemade pork breakfast sausage is easy.

Homemade Pork Breakfast Sausage recipe
16 ounces ground pork
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon rubbed dried sage
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon anise
1/4 teaspoon fennel

Combine the spices then mix thoroughly with the ground pork.  Let the mixture rest overnight to ensure the full flavor of the spices are imparted into the sausage.  Makes 6 patties.