Books

The following is a list of some of the books we have read while aboard Caramelo.  Being that it's June and people are gearing up for summer reading we thought you might be interested.  If you have a favorite read that we might enjoy please let us know.  You can send us an e-mail or just add a comment to this post

• Velocity  Dean Koontz
• Puerto Vallarta Squeze  Robert Waller
• Four to Score  Janet Evanovich
• The Lovely Bones  Alice Sebold
• High Five  Janet Evanovich
• The Stupidest Angel  Christopher Moore
• Chicken Hawk  Robert Mason
• Three Cups of Tea  David Relin
• The Notebook  Nicholas Sparks

Ha donde punte el guarache

Where are we going, where have we been?  I don’t think a day has gone by that Ryan and I haven’t asked or had to answer this question.  As I’m sure you’ve noticed from our spot map we abandoned the sea of cortez in leu of heading north along the pacific.  We are now dressed in our full foulies and freazing wondering just what we were thinking. 

In Spanish….or at least as my mom tells me, there is a saying: “Ha donde punte el guarache” (wherever my sandal points).  Those words couldn’t explain us any better at this time.  Currently our lives are looking toward CA for at least the next few months.  Caramelo is pretty much everything we own so we figure we better bring her with us….

Where do we get our weather information?

Some of you may be interested in where exactly we get our information about the weather.  To us the weather report is similar to the morning traffic report for highway 101 or 80.  Needles to say it’s important stuff.

1.      1.   When we are able to gain access to the internet we use the following websites.

a.       www.passageweather.com

b.      www.wunderground.com

c.       www.solmatesantiago.com/weather/index.html

2.       2.  We also use our SSB radio to pick up weather reports.  The SSB is a long range radio.  It works similar to a walkie talkie only with the proper skills and information you can speak with someone half way around the world.  The beauty about SSB is that there is no cost other than your initial expense of the proper equipment.  Through the radio we are able to pick up “nets”.  Nets are set times when people in certain areas all gather on the same channel and check in with eachother.  During a “net” there is always a call for emergency or priority assistance, next a weather report is given and finaly those boats that wish to “check-in” are able to do so.  The following are the nets we tend to follow.

a.       Amigo Net

b.      Sonrisa Net

c.       Southbound Net

3.      3.  Word of mouth.  Last but not least we talk to people.  Like stereotypical old men it seems the weather is often a topic of choice when it comes to conversation in the cruising community.  Well, that and where to find the best taco or best price on laundry.

Now, the next time you check to see where we are on our spot account you should hop over to one of the above websites and see what the weather is like where we are located.

Happy Birthday Mama

Happy Birthday to the woman who:

·         Dropped me off at school 185 days a year for 10 years.
·         Drove me to countless basketball and volleyball practices and games
·         Encouraged me to try horseback riding
·         Helped me pay for guitar lessons
·         Came to visit me in Denver, CO
·         Let me go to Chico State
·         Was always there with a hug or a pat on the back when I needed it
·         Proof read countless of school projects (most of them at the last minute)
·         Tried to teach me the value in NOT procrastinating
·         Double checks the house before I leave to find the one thing I’ve forgotten
·         Helps me with anything that comes up….even when we are hundreds of miles apart
·         Share’s a good book with me
·         Has taught me how to appreciate a good happy hour
·         Made pancakes for dinner
·         Doesn’t let fear stop her from doing something
·         Stayed the night on our sailboat while at anchor
·         Always welcomes me with an open heart and open arms
·         Has taught me to appreciate a good movie, popcorn and a hagendaz
·         Tried to teach me to dance
·         Has laughed and cried with me

I’m sorry we are not there to share this day with you but know that we will gladly share in some tequila in your honor.

We love you....

Charter day

Today we went sailing on Latitude 32 with captain Bob. Latitude 32 is a gorgeous 52 foot Beneteau available for charters in Cabo. If you or someone you know is coming to Cabo tell them about Day Sail Cabo. Captain Bob actually takes you sailing (he even flies the spinnaker). While sailing by the arches at lovers beach we saw at least 10 rays jumping out of the water. Along the way also stopped to anchore to enjoy a snorkel and check out the fish while lunch was prepared aboard. We had a wonderful and relaxing time aboard this pleasure boat and would do it again. For those of you that can’t make it all the way to Cabo he will return to San Diego in late summer.

Surf and snacks

Tuesday June 8, 2010

Tuesday we drove the rental car that our job graciously provided to a beach just west of Playa Costa Azul in San Jose del Cabo.  Here we found Playa Acapulcito where we rode some great surf. There was a southwest swell and this surf spot was one of the nicest we have seen while in Mexico. The waves were consistent and perfect for a long board. Ryan and I, on short boards, hungout on the inside and picked up plenty of sweet head-high waves. Enjoying the morning in the warm water I couldn’t help but think about how cold the surf is going to be in CA. I guess Ryan and I will have to ditch the rash guard and bikini for a full wetsuit's. Such is life…we can’t have it all, all of the time!

surfers click here for a link to info on Playa Acapulquito

After surfing we hit up Costco before returning the rental car. Can you believe a wedge of parmesanoregiano goes for 349 pesos? I miss the variety of cheeses back home, but not that much. We did however splurge on a bag of Stacy’s pita chips and a box of Oreo cookies for night watches as we come up the coast. We also threw an apple pie in the cart in honor of our friend Tim on Marishanna. Tim crewed down to Cabo on the Bajahaha in October when Kristina came down. He has been hanging in Cabo ever since and had a mean craving for apple pie.

To cap off the day we joined Captain Bob, Tim and our new friends Lindi and Monika for two for one pizza at Andres. Andres serves one of the best thin crust pizzas we’ve had along with complementary brochetta! Yes, complimentary warm, refreshing, crispy brochetta on a baguette that’s made in house.  We could not ask for anything more.

Playa Acapulquito

June 8, 2010


A good video of the consistent break we experienced at Playa Acapulquito...

Monday work day

Monday June 7th, 2010

We went to work today!  We actually set an alarm before we went to bed...it's a shocker I know. 

We had to attend a time share presentation through Playa Bonito. For about 2 ½ hours of our time we were rewarded with breakfast, US cash, and a 24 hour car rental. Not bad for a days work in the life of a cruiser trying to stretch the dough in Cabo. After escaping the time share presentation we drove north about an hour and a half to Todos Santos. The drive was scenic as we traveled north along the pacific coast.

In Todos Santos we visited the Hotel California and checked out local shops and artistry. To be honest neither I or Ryan were too impressed with the town.

However, if you are looking a different place to stay along the baja that isn’t quite so cabo-esque try Rancho Pescadero.http://www.ranchopescadero.com/  We came across this new oasis on our drive back to Cabo San Lucas and wished we could stay for a few nights.  As you'll see from their website it is one of the clasiest Rancho's I've visited.

Zippers Surf Day

Sunday June 6, 2010

The following is a video of Zippers surf break in Cabo. The video is off of you tube as Ryan and I have no camera.


The city life in Cabo has been a luxury but today we decided to get back to some good old fashioned traveling! Ryan and I set out on a bus by 8am bound for San Jose del Cabo. We were destined to zippers (a surf break) between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. As the bus pulled to a stop for us to get on saw that there was standing room only! We backed off to wait for the next bus but the bus driver waved us on anyway (pretty cool since we each had a surfboard in tow).


After about 30 minutes we were concerned that we may end up all the way in San Jose del Cabo with nothing but our board shorts and surfboards for the day. We eagerly watched the coast line looking for the break. Rounding a corner a few minutes later we eyed a good looking break but we’re told we needed to go just a little farther down the rode. Two hair pinned turns later and we arrived at Zippers. Here we enjoyed a day of fast, fun, rights as you can see in the above video.

Soriana

Happy June 1st everyone.

Ryan and I are still anchored in Cabo San Lucas, or “lower L.A.” as Ryan has taken to calling it.

In the last few days here we have run into a friend from the Baja Haha and made some new one’s as well. Yesterday' s major activity was a run to the local Soriana (like Super Target on crack) to fill our boat with lots of goodies to eat on the way up the coast. If you ever come to Mexico you'll have to be sure to take a trip to the local Soriana. Not only is it a great place to stock up on food but they usually blast club music throughout the produce and liquor section of the store!

Today’s major chores will include topping off the propane and going snorkeling off of lovers beach. A friend asked me how I was ever going to go back to work after 6 months off. At the time I didn’t think twice about it. Now as we wait for a weather window to head up the coast I’m beginning to wonder.