Sailing Adventures of David & Kathy

LightSpeed wins the Veleros de Baja yacht race.

2012-01-26T19:22:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-06T18:53:00.000-08:00

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'

2012-01-01T17:52:00.000-08:00

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'

 John

Replacing the standing rigging on LightSpeed

2012-01-01T17:43:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-30T17:14:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-26T19:42:00.000-08:00

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.

2011-12-26T13:38:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-21T12:29:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-18T12:24:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-17T15:14:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-17T13:58:00.000-08:00

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.

Oceania (i.e South Pacific) News

2011-12-17T08:40:00.000-08:00

South Pacific News links:

Great links to current events in the South Pacific Islands

http://www.abyznewslinks.com/pacif.htm

Lunch in Loreto, Baja California Sur

2011-12-16T15:53:00.000-08:00

Sailed from Puerto Escondido to Loreto for lunch today. The town was pretty quiet for a Friday, but we expect things will liven up a bit as the holiday approaches. Had a great lunch special at Orlando's BCS that included a drink for only 50 pesos. Stopped at the museum adjacent to the Mision Nuestra Senora de Loreto dating from 1697 for a more in depth look at the history of Missions here on the Baja.

Sierra Gigantes fall away as we head out of Puerto Escondido.

Mision Nuestra Senora de Loreto dating from 1697

Holiday spirit in full swing.

A rare photo of us together.

Steinbeck Canyon Hike

2011-12-16T08:20:00.000-08:00

Steinbeck's Canyon, looking out to the East and the Sea of Cortez. From Puerto Escondito head toward and across Highway 1 following the dirt road lead directly toward Sierra de la Giganta and Steinbeck Canyon. Once in the Canyon the path becomes more demanding as you pick your way through, over and under the huge water smoothed stones. A great adventure in route finding as one must squeeze and shimmy though tight spots, dark caves and narrow cracks along the way. The well deserved reward, a sparkling clear pool and great lunch stop.

Sierra de la Giganta range, a rugged desert mountain range running along the Baja peninsula.

Looking down into a 20' deep crack. Kathy makes her way down into a cave at the bottom of this crevice that leads through a labyrinth of other passages... yes this is trail.

Looking up out of the fissure.

Another tight squeeze. Kathy slips though an opening between these boulders.

A view from the bottom as Libby makes her way up through the gap.

Bo making his way down an alternate route where we stopped for some bouldering fun.

Kathy, Libby and Bo.

Spring pool and great views for a lunch break.

Looking for a route through the cave and crack portion of the hike.

Sailing up the Sea of Cortez

2011-12-13T14:52:00.000-08:00

December 13, 2011
Position: 25°22'N 110°55'W
Underway: Bahia San Evaristo towards Bahia Agua Verde

Raised anchor shortly after sunrise today and headed out of the bay towards Bahia Agua Verde about 44nm to the North. Some good sailing at times with boat speeds in the mid-nines for about an hour and as I write we are only coasting along at 5 knots in a lull. Winds today have an unusual Westerly component and since we are in the lee of the Baja we are enjoying super flat seas. Really great sailing. A few minutes ago we had a double hook up on the fishing rods, but a bit disappointing to land more Skipjack tuna... the least desirable of the tuna family. Since leaving La Paz a few days ago I think we've caught and released nine fish. Our target species being Mahi, Wahoo, Yellow fin or Yellow tail.

December 12, 2011
Ensenada Grande, Isla Partida to Bahia San Evaristo

Shared an anchorage with our friends Mac and Catherine whom treated us to a delicious pancake breakfast aboard s/v Indigo. Sailed off the anchor and short tacked out of the bay with a decent sail most of the way to Bahia San Evaristo. Light winds overnight were a stark contrast to our last stay in San Evaristo when we hung on tooth and nail in gusty 'Norther' conditions.

December 11, 2011
La Paz to Ensenada Grande, Isla Partida
A quick last minute shopping trip to downtown La Paz stretched out in typical cruisers fashion to nearly half a day. Met some new friends Bill and Shirley aboard s/v Pegasus and enjoyed a late breakfast. Picked up some LED holiday lights and a jug of gasoline and then hustled back to the boat to get underway for Isla Partida. Enjoyed a superb sail nearly the entire afternoon with plenty of time over eight knots. About 15 minutes out of the anchorage I jumped in the shower and about the same time Kathy landed a double hook up on the fishing lines single handed. Releasing one fish we cooked up the other unidentified Tuna, we think a bonita and enjoyed a nice fish dinner.

December 10, 2011
La Paz, Mexico
Kathy passes her HAM radio Technician and General License in one sitting on her first try. Nice work Kathy! We now can use Winlink for email and can send and receive small attachments. The ability to send small pictures is a huge benefit for traveling off the beaten path where we might not have 'real' internet for months at a time.

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La Paz Mexico

2011-12-11T13:35:00.001-08:00

Kathy shows of a nice Mahi Mahi just a few miles out of the La Paz Anchorage.

Sipping a Margarita. Note the 1970's Chevy truck BBQ added a touch of class to this taco stand.

s/v Go for Broke getting a helping hand into the La Paz Anchorage.

John, Brian and Steve on our Whale Shark expedition.

Kathy, Erlin and Patrick at the corner Pacifico shop on our way to our favorite taco stand.

Shell removing the last decoration from our mini Christmas tree.

Scott, Donna and Kathy at the La Paz theater where we enjoyed the National Ballet for only $100 peso per person.

Dressed up for a night at the theater.