Needlepoint Ornaments

One of my hobbies is stitching needlepoint Christmas ornaments.  Over this last year I finished several ornaments that have been "years" in the making.  Actually Alan gave me a needlepoint light + magnifier last Christmas and I've been stitching ever since.  There is some discussion that I now have enough needlepoint ornaments but I say NO WAY!

Any way, here are a few of my favorites from this year:

This was a gift to David and Monica to celebrate their residency in Washington state--the state tree, bird, flower, and namesake.

And here are 3 other 2010 favorites:  the cow, the serendipity snow man, and the salty sea captain.

The cow was stitched  for Bryan to honor his affiliation at UC Davis and living across the street from the cow barns.  The salty sea captain is for dear Captain Woolly -- finally at the helm of a real sail boat.  The flags say HO HO.  And for me -- the 2010 serendipity bear.  There were so many milestones and blessings throughout 2010, that I wanted to remember this time as the years fly by.  Thanks to all who have shared this year with us...it wouldn't be the same with out you.  Thanks.

Year End 2010

There are fond memories of the year end activities of 2010.  Let's see -- there was rain and a bit more rain.   Lots of cookies!  There were many friends to share a meal with, especially Barbara and John for Christmas Eve lunch and Judy and Bob for Christmas Eve dinner.

 This is picture of Barbara and John but alas I misplaced my camera so no matching shot for Judy and Bob.  But we had a great December 24th and enjoy sharing good cheer and companionship of our friends.

Christmas morning Alan and I got up early and did a quick walk -- still got caught in the first drizzle of the next storm system -- but were home in time to enjoy the tree and gift giving.  We surprised Bryan with a bit of local "Giants World Series Sway" -- a T shirt with a Day of the Dead motif to honor that Alan and I were in Mexico for the World Series.  It is a great shirt and Bryan actually wears it!!  (He has made it clear that we need no longer buy him clothes....so there was some trepidation that this would merely be a closet stuffer....)

We also had a family day at the Oakland Museum's showing of a PIXAR exhibit.  The exhibit has been a traveling show for 5 years but is closing in January 2011.   It was recently updated to include 25 years of animation so it included films through Toy Story 3.  The exhibit featured the sketches, drawings, models, color paintings, and color schematic work for all the PIXAR movies.  The emphasis was on showing the work of the artists behind the animation behind the computers.  Walking through the exhibit was like revisiting so many wonderful PIXAR movies -- what was your favorite PIXAR movie?   From the museum we went out for Ethiopian food; this is one of those east bay treats for the Wulzen family.

David arrives on January 2 -- just in time to spend a day with Bryan before he returns to UC Davis for winter quarter.  David is on a business trip so the timing really worked out great for any overlap at all.

We plan to leave for Mexico on January 4...but that sounds like a post for the New Year!

Shhhh! The Salmon are Spawning

With the upcoming forecast for 10 days of rain (with 10 inches accumulation....) we opted to go for a walk yesterday along Lagunitas Creek in Samual P Taylor park and hunt for the spawning coho salmon and steelhead trout.  These fish are threatened species and Lagunitas Creek is one of their last spawning habitats on the central California coast.

The first official survey of the creek this year identified 50 some fish -- that is about what was seen all of last year -- but way down from the 15 year average of 500+!  Last year we walked the creek and saw no fish; 2 years ago we spotted a few.

We set off with high hopes.  It was a cold morning (almost freezing which wimps us out in NO TIME) and we had the creek to ourselves.  Actually it probably would have helped to have more eyes on the creek to spot those salmon.

We laughed at the signs posted along the creek.

I never knew that fish could hear me laughing from the trail or my red fleece hat would be such a frightening site!   But Alan and Bryan kept peering at the creek.

And then FISH!   Both managed to spot those illusive salmon in a pool along the creek.  Here is a picture to give you an idea of what the experience is....there is a fish in there somewhere.  

We "fished" at several other spots along the creek but no luck anywhere else.  It was cold, fun, and a moment to reconnect with the natural order of the world.

Home for the Holidays

Bryan finished his fall quarter finals this afternoon.  Alan and I made an adventure out of the trip to Davis by birding the Yolo Basin Wildlife Area.

The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area is south of Interstate 80 at the Yolo Causeway between Davis and Sacramento.  Covering 25 square miles and home to nearly 200 species of birds, the Wildlife Area is located in the heart of one of the country's richest agricultural areas, alongside one of America's busiest people throughways I-80, and next to a bustling metropolitan area, Sacramento.

The 16,000-acre Yolo Wildlife Area is one of the largest public/private restoration projects with 3,700-acres of land in the Yolo Bypass floodway restored to wetlands and other associated habitats, with more restoration in the works. The California Department of Fish and Game manages the Yolo Wildlife Area to promote an increase in waterfowl and other bird populations.

We birded the auto tour loop and saw many birds, the most notable being a sora, a burrowing owl, and a great egret that had caught a mouse and was trying to subdue it.  I was hoping for a few cranes, swans, and geese but not today.  

We were just leaving the wildlife area when Bryan called to say he had finished his final...and it was time for the holiday season to begin!!  We picked him up and headed home!

An Evening with Kathleen and Tom

We spent an absolutely delightful evening with Kathleen and Tom.  Kathleen and I worked together at Health Net; in fact she recruited me back in 2003 for my analyst position there.  So I consider her a very special person indeed.

We walked over and immediately heard the great news:  Tom had landed a new position with Discovery Credit Card Company!  Tom is one of the few experts in this country on the use of chips on credit cards.  He acquired this skill working in Belgium for many years.  While it is great to have a job that will make maximum use of his expertise, the job alas is in Chicago.  So it will be back to split living for awhile for them but they will make full use of vacations to explore Chicago and the midwest.

They are fabulous hosts and we feasted on Kathleen's Zucchini Pancakes, quinoa and vegetables, bread with soft cheese, green salad, and chocolate pots-de-creme.   They are all decorated for Christmas so indeed it was a magical evening.

Here is the recipe for Kathleen's Zucchini Pancakes:

1 pound zucchini, trimmed, coarsely grated
2 cups chopped green onions
4 eggs, beaten to blend
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup chopped fresh dill or 1 1/2 tablespoons dried dillweed
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon or 2 teaspoons dried
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 3 ounces)
2/3 cup chopped walnuts (about 3 ounces)

olive oil

Place zucchini in colander.  Sprinkle zucchini with salt and let stand 30 minutes to drain.   Squeeze zucchini between hands to remove liquid, then squeeze dry in several layers of paper towels.

Combine zucchini, chopped green onions, 4 eggs, flour, chopped dill, parsley, tarragon, salt and pepper in medium bowl.  Mix well.  Fold in crumbled feta cheese.  (Zucchini mixture can be prepared 3 hours ahead.  Cover tightly and refrigerate.  Stir to blend before continuing.)  Fold chopped walnuts into zucchini mixture.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Place baking sheet in oven.  Cover bottom of non stick skillet with olive oil.  Heat skillet over medium-high heat.  Working in batches, drop zucchini mixture into skillet by heaping tablespoons.  Fry until the pancakes are golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side.  Transfer each batch of pancakes to baking sheet in oven to keep warm.  Serve pancakes hot.

Makes about 20 pancakes.  

Pounds of Peanut Brittle

The holidays usher in the season of peanut brittle.   Pounds of peanut brittle cooked up, broken up, and finally bagged up for family and friends.  This has been the Wulzen holiday gift for many years.  And paired with a new CD of Christmas music -- what better way to encourage a moment of resting in the pleasures of the season!

I found this peanut brittle recipe in a cookbook from the library.   It is quite simple and requires only a few ingredients

and a couple of essential aids.

Yup, don't make this recipe without a candy thermometer (unless you can figure out if a pot of boiling sugar and butter and peanuts is 280 degrees or 305 degrees).  The first year (well, really, the first batch) I did not have a thermometer and the completed peanut brittle lost the brittle and became a soft, sticky mess about an hour after I was done.  You've been warned!

And the diet coke -- what's with that?  Read carefully to discover that you will be stirring this boiling hot pot of ingredients for awhile and around about 250 degrees you will NEED a cold drink.  For you -- not the pot.

So on to the recipe.  

Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle

makes about 2 1/2 pounds

2 cups sugar

1 cup light syrup

1/2 cup water

1 cup butter

2 1/2 cups peanuts (I used lightly salted.)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

1.  Combine sugar, corn syrup, and water in a heavy 3 quart saucepan.  (It should be heavy pot!)

2.  Place over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves.

3.  When syrup comes to a boil, blend in the butter and continue to stir frequently.  

4.  Continue cooking and stirring until the candy thermometer registers 280 degrees (soft crack).

5.  Immediately add the peanuts.

6.  Stir constantly until thermometer reaches 305 degrees (hard crack).

7.  Remove from the heat and quickly add the baking soda and vanilla.  Mix well.

8.  Immediately pour into 2 jelly roll pans and spread as close to the edges as possible.  The peanut brittle will begin to set up so try to get the spreading done quickly. 

9.  When cool, lift the brittle from the pan and break into pieces.  

10.  Store in a sealed container.

Clean up is easy.  Let everything cool down (the pot will stay warm for awhile) and then soak it in water.  Everything dissolves and you need only need to wash and dry the pot.  NO scrubbing!!

Happy Holidays!

Double Dose of Dacron

One of the major items on our list for Magic was a new headsail.  There was no headsail onboard when we bought her, so, until we got any headsail -- we would be going nowhere.

But the challenge of course was getting the correct measurements and working with a sailmaker who would not be able to see/measure the boat in person.  We wandered around at the spring boat show -- WOW -- those yards of fabric with designer names were pricey!  Granted the headsail is key to the wind "engine", but we wanted to find a reasonable price option as well.

We had decided to be able to set the boat up to handle double headsails -- one headsail to port and one headsail to starboard -- so we could tuck the main away and ride downwind like on rails with acres of dacron out front.  So we really were in the market for 2 nearly matching sails.  We emailed with another Privilege 39 owner--Captain Dave on Maxing Out--and with his guidance found Rolly Tasker Sail Maker in Thailand.  Rolly Tasker caters to cruising sailors world wide and we found working them to be professional, reasonable and prompt.  

We measured and measured the boat to fill out their form.  We had a local rigger measure the boat.  And then we measured again.  Golly, I hope these sails fit!

We have been tracking the package since Rolly Tasker handed them over to UPS.  Today they arrived:

We have high dreams that this double dose of dacron for our double headsails will safely take us a long long way!

Celebration of the Holiday Season Begins

Our Holiday season began on Saturday with the annual Lessons and Carols service hosted by the San Francisco Theological Seminary.  Despite the name the Seminary is located here in San Anselmo!    The service has become one of our holiday tradition -- hearing the fabulous Seminary Singers, listening to the lessons, singing the traditional carols with full organ accompaniment and enjoying the home baked Christmas cookies at the reception.  The service starts at 7pm and we have finally figured out that one must arrive by 6:15 to be able to sit in the pews of the chapel and not in the back by the door!  It is a very popular community event.

This year Arlene, Les, Barb, and John joined us.  After we indulged at the cookie reception, everyone headed to our house for soup and salad dinner.  I made Cream of Barley Soup with whole barley, mushrooms, and leek.  This was a recipe from Deborah Madison's Vegetable Soups.  Very easy and certainly hit the spot.  Arlene & Les brought a salad.

Part of the evening however was surprising Arlene and Les with an early combo birthday cake--actually a Yule Log (chocolate roll) that Barb made and masterfully decorated.   Here is the birthday couple -- I can't believe they just completed walking first 1/2 marathon in November!!  You GO!!

Here is a close up of the Yule Log -- love those pictures Barb found!

We all had a great evening and are making plans for 2011 already!

Out from Under the List

Our days since our return are driven by THE LIST.  THE LIST contains those 200+ items that we want to fix, or track down, or finish while we are here.  Some are as easy as "disposable brushes (buy 10)" and others are much more involved:  "figure out refrigeration (like how do we get it reinstalled)."  The last month has been a good reminder that B.O.A.T. really means "bring out another thousand."  But the end is literally in sight as open items on THE LIST fit on 1 printed page!

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving Day with Bryan and visited friends for leftovers & game night that weekend.   We continue to be thankful for the good health, fine family, and blessed friends we enjoy.

The rat is really gone but the roof leak is going to require a professional repair by the landlord.

We've been catching up on our movie viewing, trips to the local library, hiking or riding as weather permits, and enjoying the hot tub at night.

It's a good life.  No, It's a great life that indeed has been a bit of magic every day.

My MacBook has returned to life, so I'm hoping to catch up on pictures and almost daily postings.

Home At Last!

We arrived safely home to San Anselmo about supper time on Saturday.  It was a LONG boring drive from Kingman Arizona.  In the 3 days of driving from Guaymas, we spent about 20 minutes at the border, maybe 15 minutes in the maze, but were totally stopped in our tracks when we got home.  Yup, the house was standing but we had experienced a home invasion by a RAT.   Oh what a mess.

So that has became project #1--clean up the mess and then get rid of them. 

Otherwise we are working through the home list -- it numbers about 200 items or so that we want to find and take back to Magic in January.  There are also a few major projects for us over the next several weeks.  But none are more important to us than planning and celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas here with family and friends.

Tomorrow I have a tech guy checking out my MAC.  Hopefully the news will be easy on my ears....and I can begin to add pictures to the web site again.

The Final Push

Today marks 4 weeks in Mexico.  4 weeks of living on Magic, working on Magic, talking about Magic, and pretty much doing that from sun up to sun down.  And often longer than that.  We are so ready to stop being boat yard rats and start living on the hook....but that will come in January with our return.

We are planning our return to California for the holidays.  The key projects are done.  And we have done demo on the galley (new sink and counters to be installed in January) and the old freezer.  The old freezer will be converted into a tool cupboard for Alan.  Ripping out a fiberglass freezer with 5-6 inches of foam insulation on all sides is a down right nasty job.  But check it off the list -- Alan plans to make most of the cupboard shelving at home and will re-install it here in January.

Today we were the Magic for Manarua -- another boat here in the yard hailing from Canada.  We have been debating on what items to take off Magic and bring back to the states.  Alan has an idea of taking all this stuff to a boat swap meet...to make a few dollars.  I am not so keen on lugging stuff back, storing it somewhere, hoping for a swap meet, lugging it there and enticing a buyer with a great price.  So we were taking the spinnaker pole off the deck (we plan to use a smaller, lighter pole).  Alan was figuring out how to secure it to the roof of the car.  I shouted down -- "why don't you walk the boat yard and see if anyone wants the pole.  Let's just give it away."  I was a bit surprised when Al took that suggestion.  (He probably figured no one would take him up on the offer!)

The first folks in sight were a couple leaving Manarua for the walk to town.   Alan called out "Hey do you need a spinnaker pole?"  The man was like beside himself.  "Are you serious?  I so totally need a new pole.  Mine blew up in a storm off Africa and I haven't been able to replace it.  Are you serious?" 

"Sure" says Alan.  "It's yours."

Alan then walked with him back to Manarua and looked over the busted pole...the couple are trying to finish a circumnavigation this year via Hawaii and then to Vancouver.  The pole was key to their rig...and we helped make that Magic moment.  We felt great too.

As we wind down our time on this trip, I anticipate coaching Alan that when he returns to the US he can not drive like a Mexican.  The other day he was up on the sidewalk -- passing a line of cars to get to a small store that sells hoses and fittings (yup, a very exciting business that we have frequented twice).  He also has figured that stop signs are moderately optional -- sort of depending on who or what else is around.  There is no need to move aside for ambulances or police vehicles.  School buses flash lights just to flash lights -- no need to stop for them either.  Oh yes, go for that U turn in the middle of an intersections.  You can pass on the left or the right....what works best in the moment!  It is going to be a tough adjustment for him.

GO GIGANTES!

Indeed, we think the magic of the moment is the Gigantes -- we hope close to winning the Serie de Mondial.  But the daily boat work also has had its magical moments.  Some moments, however, have been of the dark magic kind.

Let's see:

a.  Carlos the stainless man has his projects well in hand:  kayak holders, back steps, anchor bail, storm parachute attachment plates.
b.  Chava the electrician came and solved our invertor problem.  Oh the little green little at the outlets -- it's back.  Really it means we have 110v, a means to charge batteries from the shore cord, and we don't have a pricey replacement to chase down in the US!
c.  Alan easily got the port lights out and is about half way through replacing them.  Then we won't have crazed windows to look through.  Why be in paradise if you can't see out your windows?
d.  Caroline finished up several sewing projects...a few will be completed back in the US.

But the dark magic was my MAC.  Works fine and then...it doesn't work at all!!  Now that is so totally like a boat.  Where is the boat gremlin today?  I'm hoping that it is any easy repair back in the states...anybody have ideas on how to self diagnosis a wayward MAC?

And the lock man never showed so we have a boat door that is lockless.  After much discussion we decided to just bring the doors home, Alan will remake them, and we'll use a plywood cover over the space in our absence.

But it is a holiday season in Mexico...Day of the Dead....and there are signs around Guaymas.  We will try and post pictures soon.

The heat is back; the list is short.  We hope to be driving north by Sunday but are planning to go via Sedona AZ for a little Red Rock hiking. 

The Mexican Way   A guest commentary by Alan

When we purchased our boat, it was known that one engine was not working, but the extent of the damage was not known. Ron, the seller, was responsible for repair and we thought a mechanic in Tucson would do the work. However they are a 7 hour drive away, don't come down here often, and said we needed a fork lift to remove the engine from the boat, and there isn't one here. So after we were here about a week, Ron gave permission to use a local mechanic, Mario & Sons. The day after giving the o k, they arrived and started removing parts.

I've got to say here, I didn't envy them in the least! It's hot here, and the engine room has little ventilation, and frankly it stinks like a diesel normally does. Over several hours lots of old parts came into the cockpit, including a fresh water pump that was missing important metal to keep the water in, and a head that had a lot of carbon showing, and at least one damaged fuel injector. At this point, with the head off, it could be seen that the rings of one piston badly scored the cylinder wall, which meant the block needed to be removed.

The next day, after a few hours of their continued work, I left the boat for a bit (Caroline was in a building doing sewing) and upon return, saw three strong guys hauling on a rope, lifting the block out of the engine room! Then they hoisted it over the rail and lowered it by hand to the ground, some 10' below! Mario, an older man, just watched, and said to me: "We do et da Mexican way." Forklift, block & tackle? No way, just yank it out, lower it to the ground then lift into the back of the car and drive off with it.

How much this engine weighs, I don't actually know, but it took three strong backs to lift it. When Mario saw I didn't get a photo of putting it in the car, he said "take it out so the Gringo can get a picture..." They all just laughed.

The next day, Mario's son & grandson arrived to clean the almost empty engine room. Three hours later it was SO clean, Caroline & I joked about having a new dining room! From these combined experiences, the next day we asked Mario to do his magic on the port engine, so we'd be starting off with two equally good power plants. Last week he did just that, and found the fresh water pump in about the same condition (awful) but not much else wrong.

The replacement parts have been ordered from L.A. (will arrive in two weeks) and the block & head are at the machine shop to be bored and valves ground. It's going to be so great to start off our cruising days knowing we have two strong engines to move us, when the winds don't blow.

Friday Night is Date Night in Guaymas

Friday night is date night in Guaymas and we treat ourselves to a night on the town.

On our first date night we went power shopping at Walmarts and then out to a taco stand, Papago's.  Our order came with two large trays of various salsas, peppers (HOT!!), and mixed vegetables such as cucumbers and radishes.

Last night we walked the Malecon and to our surprise there was a group aerobics class with probably 200 women moving to the beat of an overly loud stereo system and instructor.  There were a few stands with food.  A couple of places to rent little battery operated vehicles for kids.  A couple of inflatable jumping houses for the kids.

We then wandered towards the central mercado on the hunt for a washboard.  Yup, a washboard, for those days ahead where there is no shoreside "lavendaria"for those dirty clothes.  We had priced them in California (I think the folks who live off the grid consider them essential) at about $30 USD.  We found a small, jammed hardware store and the owner reached through piles of stuff to present us with a very nice, new washboard for $89 Pesos.  We talked awhile as they were astounded that gringos would want such an item.  It cost about $8 USD.  I was thrilled.

Then into a fabric store to find material to make storage bags.  No luck, but the prices were good even if the fabric was geared to dresses and school uniforms.  There is plenty of Christmas fabric available here already.  Yikes!

Then we walked back down the street to Doney's, a taco shop with tables and inside/outside seating for about 30.  The kitchen cook line is open to view and there are 2 waitresses shuffling orders.  We get cheese quesadillas, guacamole, papa fritos san carne, and drinks.  That last dish is a baked potato with creamy cheese sauce, corn, and peppers.  The tab for stuffing ourselves:    $12 USD.

Today we were back at work on the boat:  the stainless work is looking great, the wind generator is re-installed, remeasured for our new jib order, and another spreader boot sewn in place.  Our afternoon project was to look on the outside of the boat to find all the throughhulls and then go inside and trace them, make a map for where all the "holes" are, and clean the area under the floor boards.  

Tomorrow we are going to a local flea market as Alan wants to find a battery + charger to replace one that has died on the boat from too many months of no use.  Another adventure!

Let the Water be Warm

Working away.

I spent the day focused on a couple of canvas projects and getting the spreader boots ready for tomorrow's trip up the mast.

Mario, the engine mechanic, arrived to tear apart the port engine.   We all had a laugh when the engine cooling water pump was brought out for display.  The intake side was packed with something green, maybe moss?  maybe antifreeze congealed.  One of the coolant hoses was cracked through and the valve cover gasket was in bad shape.  BUT the compression test was good so there was no need to remove the head.   We were relieved the engine was in generally good condition and with some new parts we will have two solid engines.

The drinks however, will stay on ice for the duration of this trip.  Shortly after Mario left, Jose the refrigeration mechanic returned with our compressor.  He had worked to clean it, etc, but after it was reinstalled.....nothing.  So that lovely item will come back to the states with us next month and get checked out or replaced.

Alan spent the majority of his day removing the caulking from the seams in the bow area to re-caulk.  The best platform to reach those spots is from the top of the car that is conveniently parked under the boat to grab any available shade.

But the afternoon and evening temps continue to drop and we finally asked at the marina office if they could turn on the hot water in the showers.  So the showers this evening were in luke warm water!

And Alan's almost last project was re-installing the diesel atomizer nozzle for the Webasto hot water and heating system on the boat.  The heater fired right up after that and the water in the galley was warm.

Just as it was quitting time because the drum and bugle corps from the local high school began their daily practice session on the Malecon, Carlos, the stainless welder showed up with 2 20 foot stainless tubing pieces.  There was a quick consultation and he promises to return tomorrow at 9am.  But Alan had to then remove the existing base of the wind generator pole and fill the holes with resin so the surface will be ready for a new base plate.

A long day.  But we had warm water as our success story.  More cruisers are showing up...there are now  10 boats in the yard with owners aboard.  One boat went in the water today...an Australian couple who bought a boat here and have outfitted her and will sail back to Fremantle this next season.

We are headed to Dairy Queen to top off the day!

Up and Away!

UP --yes, today I went UP the mast.  I am replacing the spreader boots (so the jib does not rub on the standing rigging).  So before I cut the leather and foam liner, I needed to visually inspect where the rigging and spreaders intersect to hold the mast in column.  We have 6 locations that require spreader boots.

The process to go up the mast is pretty straight forward.  Get into a climbing harness, attach the harness to the main halyard, and have Alan winch away.  My trip up was quite successful; I spent most of the afternoon cutting the leather and have punched holes in 2 pieces.  I figure it will take me 3 trips UP the mast to finish the project; I expect to space the trips out over this week.

While I was busy with my project, Alan successful installed new navigation lights.  The forward lights were not working due to corrosion.  Sounds like a simple project until you have to route the wires through the bow pulpits and stainless steel tubing.  Port side took 4 tries; starboard only 3.

And yes, the refrigeration gremlin....well....the local repair man came.  He left with the 12 volt compressor system.  He asked if we had a spare control module.  That lead us to rummage through various compartments and lift up the floor boards as we think we have seen one...but alas no pot of gold today.  He will bring the compressor back tomorrow but we are expecting that the refrigeration won't work until January.

And tomorrow...well, rain is expected.  And so is the mechanic to tear apart the port engine and the stainless welder to work a few projects.   Alan will direct traffic; I hope to stay out of the way and busy on my sewing machine.

A Change in the Weather

We awoke today to cloudy skies and much cooler temperatures.  I guess fall is coming and none too soon!

We continue to make great progress on Magic.  Today we repacked the forward line locker (6 x 4 x 3 feet) with our storm anchor, parachute sea anchor, assorted chain, many lines & even a small little outboard engine.  Then it was on to electrical projects -- Alan got the new VHF installed as well as the inverter.  Caroline finished up several canvas projects.  The sign guy came so that project is underway.  The mechanic reappeared and we are going to overhaul the "good" port engine so he will be back to tear it apart later.  We closed out the day by putting the chain (newly marked for 25 foot increments) and new anchor (55 lbs) on the boat.  That ground tackle will help us sleep well at night while we live on the hook.

The yard is getting busy as other cruisers return.  A few weeks ago there were only 3 boats on the hard with owners aboard; now there are 8.  And what an amazing group of people they are.

Most cruisers return with a car fully loaded with all sorts of boat trinkets--everything from motors to peanut butter and wine.  However, one couple arrived today by BIKE!  Yup -- they hauled in February and since then logged 8,500 miles on their BIKES!  From Tucson to Florida to Maine to Montana to British Columbia and then to San Diego.  They did take the bus from San Diego to Guaymas...but wow.  In fact, one of the other boat owners here logged 5,000 miles last summer by bike.  The man says it is his wife's passion and he follows along.  What a good sport!  Alan was drooling and is committed to getting a real bike on board Magic.  We'll see.

Plenty of projects still ahead...but the weather change is most welcome....

We sure hope to see the refrigeration guy soon.

Living & Working on the Hard

It has been 10 long days here in Guaymas.    Believe me this is a working trip to Mexico!

Our typical day runs like:
a.  early am walk to the marina bathroom across the boatyard.  We sometimes walk the malecon before breakfast.
b.  breakfast in the cockpit.
c.  morning projects
d.  mid morning cool drink break
e.  more projects
f.  lunch
g.  afternoon projects
h.  mid afternoon cool drink break
i.  more projects
j.  showers about 6pm
Then we have dinner; walk to marina common area for some internet time AND then to bed by 9pm.

It is totally focused on work.  Our project list mostly goes down -- but as with any boat, we add a few new projects that crop up during the day.

Our main goals have been:
a.  getting the starboard engine rebuilt.  (Alan will do a guest post on this major project!)
b.  getting some stainless work done by a welder
c.  fixing the refrigeration.  This project is stalled and we
and then a 1000 other things....

We have done a bit of local exploring mostly while looking for boat bits and parts.

Everyone we have met and work with has been very helpful and gracious with answering questions and helping us.

I will try and bit more consistent with the blog and get some photos posted.

Guaymas at LAST

AT LAST!

The last 3 days have been on the go while we grind down the 1,300 miles between San Anselmo and Guaymas.  And there is a whole lot of nothing along most of those 1,300 miles so I don't recommend this route to anyone.

We left early Monday with a goal to be in Long Beach at the Viking production center by lunch time to pick up our new life raft.  Along about the grapevine we were surprised to see rain sprinkles -- what rain in LA?  The drizzle lasted the better part of the day.  Anyway we were delighted to find car pool lanes and we zoomed along at the speed limit; found Viking; repacked the car with the raft; and then immediately headed towards Riverside and points east.  We spent Monday night in Blythe CA.  A rather unattractive town with a small selection of tired hotels for weary travelers.

Tuesday we started with a goal to make Tucson by lunch time.  Again, many miles with not much but tumbleweed then suddenly Phoenix; nothing again and then Tucson.   Once in Tucson we found Porter Marine, the authorized Volvo dealer that may work on the engine.  Or they may not.  We have not felt much confidence in them but perhaps by showing up in Tucson and being in Guaymas (where they also work on marine engines) -- well, maybe they will turn out to be the professionals we seek.  We had a great afternoon in Tucson doing a bit of a walking tour of the downtown and eating at a fabulous restaurant.  We also went to the Pima Air Museum and saw hundreds of military and commercial airplanes including a Super Guppy, a Lockheed constellation, and an SR 71 Blackbird.  As we left the museum, another deluge began -- this one complete with thunder and lightening.

Wednesday also began early as we wanted to cross the border and be to Guaymas by mid-afternoon.  I am not sure how it all happened but we got our visas at the border.  We then tried to explain to customs that we had this paper work to show a swap of goods plus we had additional items to declare.  Somehow Alan thought we paid customs at about km 21 -- so he acted like we would pay down the road.  The border custom agent looked in a few bags & tried to believe that we had a liferaft in the back of the car.  I think he was totally fine with telling us to go on and pay at km 21.  But km 21 came and went with no sign of customs or anything official.   We figure this little snafu saved us $120 USD so a bit of honest confusion was a sweet savings.

The boat looks great; it had been washed off in anticipation of our arrival.  We unpacked a few things and have some simple goals for the next few days:  get the trampolines on the foredeck and lifelines up (both safety issues), get the shade awnings in place, begin cleaning and sorting the interior, arranging for the stainless guy to come on site, and having the new Volvo mechanic in town check out the engines.  Actually that sounds like about a week of work in that sentence alone.

It is great to be here.  The weather is hot.  We will keep you posted.

D-Day Minus 1

D - Day Minus 1 for our departure to Mexico!
Today's challenge was to pack the back of the car with all the gear and boat bits we have collected over the summer.  Good thing that Alan has an incredible spatial knack for finding just the right item to fill a an empty spot.  

GEAR!  Can you find 2 anchors, new laminate and a sink for the galley, alternators, fuses, hoses, wet suits, stainless shackles, and a thousand other bits in this picture?

I am sure it will take us a few weeks once we arrive in Mexico to find it all again.



















We did notice as we were piling the gear in the garage that one of the car tires looked rather flat....and sure enough a trip to the tire repair shop was the first errand.














                
By the end of the day SUCCESS!  The kayaks are on the roof (and have only a few items stashed inside!) and the inside is full.  

We leave at O Dark Hundred tomorrow for Long Beach where we are picking up a Viking Life Raft.  Then we head towards Tucson.  Our goal is to cross into Mexico on Wednesday am.

We are very eager to be our way -- it is 4 months tomorrow that we retired and we are ready for the next adventure.

UC Davis -- Where the MAGIC Happens!

We had not seen Bryan since we dropped him at Davis in September--so we saved this weekend to re-connect and catch up on all the changes in his life.  He arrived via Amtrak on Friday afternoon and all too soon we were driving him back on Saturday.  But we made the most of our time together!  His classes are all great and he loves his schedule; he has made good friends with several dorm mates; and he is on a flag football intramural team that is just starting up.

Alan was back in his element making breakfast for "his boy."

We did a couple of errands -- better bike lock, notebooks, cold cereal, more shorts.

Back at Davis, we saw the dorm room after being lived in for a couple of weeks.  The bulletin board is filling in!  As Bryan says:  This is where the Magic happens.

We took back all sorts of baked goods for the floor:  apple cake, cupcakes, and bagels.  I would not want to think of 3 Thille C going hungry!

Too soon it was time for goodbyes....at least until Thanksgiving time.

Alan does the Red Horse Century Ride in Napa

Hi, this is a guest contributor, Alan. You may know that I have a passion for cycling, which was re-awakened 5 years ago when invited to attend the weekly Friday 6 a m Red Horse group rides. That Fall I completed my first Century Ride with them, and Oct. 1 rode my fifth Fall Classic, although I only did 60 miles this time.

Awaiting the 8 a m  start, just off Silverado Road, near Napa, here are about half of the riders.

At the first rest stop, getting refreshments.

Besides having a good long ride with many old friends, this ride is a fund raiser for "Team Swift", a young rider development team, and these are three teenage members of the team.

   I only rode behind them, young bucks!

David Warner, the owner of Red Horse Constructors, a high end home building business, and instigator of the Friday rides and Fall Century rides.

Thank you Dave for all you've done for us bike addicts.

That said, unlike the wayward professionals, we only use drugs for pain relief after these long rides!

Although we all wear the Caballo Rojo  kits(Red Horse for you Gringos), many of us don't work for the company. On the left is Dave Henderson, my hairdresser and on the right, Jason Hight a San Anselmo policeman. I'm impressed that he runs stop signs right along with the rest of us law breakers!

Here we are waiting for a green light in St. Helena. The rider on the right is Tom Knott, who has organized and put on the Century rides for years. Thank you Tom for all you've done for us! Each year it's been a new course, with sag wagon support, rest stops, lunch and a great meal at the end of the day.

At the last rest stop, this is me and Michael Houts, who is a long time friend, and it was he who invited me to ride with Red Horse some five years ago. Michael has worked for many years at Red Horse and is a key estimator and project overseer, and my great friend!

 

At the end of the ride, we relaxed at where we started, a home that Red Horse built.


A very nice end to a beautiful day!

Pt Reyes National Seashore -- HOT and SUNNY!

Yes--it sounds like an oxymoron:  hot and sunny in the same title as Pt Reyes National Seashore.  But perhaps it was a chance to experience backpacking without frost on the tent at night!

After we got "spanked" by a cold front at Sequoia National Park, we returned to true Indian Summer weather in the Bay Area.  Alan obtained a backpacking permit for us at Pt Reyes and off we set -- determined to make the most of our final days of summer.

Although the signage says "wilderness" this backpacking trip was unique -- sites were pre-assigned and came complete with water, picnic table, trash pickup, and toilets! Very civilized backpacking!

We planned a 3 night trip:  out to Wildcat Beach; back inland to Glen Camp; and then finally up along the ridge to Sky Camp.

We have hiked many of the trails in Pt Reyes so we were struck by the variety and beauty all around us as we hiked.  Within a mile or so of the pounding Pacific surf we were deep into ancient forests complete with ferns, moss, lakes, and sparkling streams.

We began by going up the Bear Valley trail to the Great Divide Meadow for lunch.

You be the judge:  Along the trail, Alan and I practice our best "Bryan 2 Thumbs UP" poses.

All day we had beautiful views of the rocky cliffs and pounding surf.  The trail eventually switchbacked down to the coast and we camped in scrub within a few hundred yards of a bluff overlooking the ocean.  We watched the sunset and were lulled to sleep by the surf.  

This is Alamere Falls from the beach.

Day 2 we headed south along the coastal lakes trail stopping eventually at Bass Lake for lunch and a swim.  It sure was refreshing after hiking in that blazing sun!

Day 3:  After a night at Glen Camp (pretty unattractive dry, open camp) we were back on the trails--lush green foliage and occasional creeks.  

We took a dogleg back to the coast to have a snack at Arch Rock and then found Sky Trail.   Maybe the name says it all:  up to the sky and eventually Sky Camp.  

Alan and I were amazed at the clear views (some haze on the horizon) and absolutely NO WIND.  We got to Sky Camp in the early afternoon with plans to read in the shade.  HA.  

Our assigned site had not one speck of shade so we "camped" in a lush site for awhile.  But the cool shade was also inviting to every bug and critter with 2 wings within a few miles.  We took a quick rinse in the fresh spring that feds the horse trough.  Actually it was very refreshing.

There we were.  Sweating and waiting for the sun to go down, so we could pitch our tent, eat our mung bean dinner, go to sleep, wake up, eat granola breakfasts, and hike out.  The words popped out of my mouth:  Hey, let's skip ahead, have breakfast now and hike out.  It is only 3 miles or so (and downhill miles hardly count!).  We can be in the shower and out for dinner in San Rafael by 7:30pm.  I believe Alan was headed down the trail before the words were out of my mouth!   

And so we were walking out just 2 hours after we had walked in to Sky Camp.    We spotted this bobcat by the trail.   He watched us and we watched him but eventually he headed into the trees.

None too soon but, all too soon, the packs were in the car.  The end of the trail and for us, the end of this year's backpacking season.

We are already thinking to summer 2011:  maybe a stroll up Mt Whitney, the Rae Lakes loop from the eastern side, and ????

It is fun to dream and watch wonderful things unfold.