San Carlos Spring 2011

We’re back! Cyn and I left Colorado the day after a windy Spring cold front passed through. We missed the wind but had to drive from Pueblo to Raton on iced over roads. White knuckle driving for sure. On the way down we stopped in Belen, NM to look at an O’day 22 that I saw on Craigslist. She needs a good cleaning and some minor work but all in all a good boat. My offer was accepted so I’ll be co-owner with Austin and his friend Alex. Good to have another sailor in the family! The boat purchase slowed us down a bit so Cyn had to reserve a motel along I10 with her iphone. The customer reviews were great. We had a choice between "trying really hard not to be a dump" and "like a prison cell you would see in a TV show". We chose TRHNTBAD of course.

Solera was in the Marina Seca work yard, aka the dirt yard, for over a week for chainplate repairs and a good cleaning. Once again, Louis Hernandez the local machinist, worked his magic. We now have a bombproof rig. The test sail was just about perfect. Dolfins surrounded Solera as she set sail and stayed with us for several minutes. It felt like they were welcoming us back. The sailing was mellow almost the whole afternoon. There was a brief period at the end when the wind reached fifteen kts apparent. We scooted along at 6.8 kts with the rail down and all crew smiling.

Next, we're provisioning for a trip over to Baja. The plan is to cross the sea to San Marcos Island, then work our way South to Pureto Escondido for Loretofest. This is a big annual cruisers get together I’ve been wanting to check out. There’s music, food, a regatta and other stuff going on all to benefit the local schools. After that it’s on to La Paz, winds permitting.