The Winter of Two Toilets

Installation of the newly received toilet seat components completed, checked off the list. Thankful to be among those who can sit happy.

We have two heads which is a pretty sweet deal on a boat, we know. So, once fixed, it was time the other head decided to act up. Problem identified by our brilliant captain and the part identified from the exploded view of our Raritan toilet manual. Zeroed in on a very small but important seal. 

Our West Marine friend who ordered the replacement seal for us suggested I name this blog post: The Winter of Two Toilets. And so I oblige and acknowledge that you never know what will or won't work on a boat... 

We are glad our friends brought down the tiny seal which solved the leak issue and provided yet another happy moment on board. Part of the joy of our lives on Pura Vida is celebrating victories, large and small.

We didn't venture into the Sex Shop

After our departure from Guaymas in March, we sailed on a beeline south to La Paz in an attempt to sell our old life raft. That's another story, best told over a beer so we'll skip ahead. 

We spent a busy week in La Paz, walking, eating, exercising and people watching to name a few of our many activities. What a difference from last March/April Covid onset time to this, a year later. And yet, it was the same. Maybe others can relate to this awkward feeling. Masking, safety protocols and plenty of temperature taking moments.

As our action-packed days passed (of course, there’s a ton more to do when ‘in town’), we tossed around a couple of options - it was time for an excursion.

* rent a bicycle built for two for a ride along the fabulous beachfront malecon and side streets of La Paz

* swim with the whale sharks in the bay

We eyed up the hot pink double seater bike at the rental shack, and although sturdy in its structure, the seat could not be raised nearly enough for our long legs. The staff sure tried! We were all sad and shaking our heads; it just wasn’t going to work. So, on to finding out more about the whale shark excursion. We had done this cool outing with friends 10 years prior, upon our arrival in La Paz from the great northwest.

Ready to slide into the water
alongside the whale shark

Staying clear and trying to keep up 

The other 2 couples were from
Mexico City and Queterero

Unfortunately, the visibility was lousy so
it's hard to envision the grand nature of this fish
- but you can see the spots 

Two nearby places offered the experience and we chose the fun, local staff who described a fine outing. We were able to sign up with a private group of four on Monday morning. Good thing they said ‘no go’ on the weekend as the winds were high and as it was, the visibility was still lousy. 

We took turns and all had a great time trying to keep up with this giant ‘fish’. It’s not a whale nor a shark but the biggest known fish, we learned from Damion our guide. Along with Geronimo, the captain, they provided a wonderful excursion on that cloudy morning, complete with cookies and Fresca. The two staff encountered our whale shark after an hour of scouting slowing in the bay. It was about 30 feet in length; they can achieve lengths of over 40 feet. Since our last swim, the Mexican government has made big strides in protecting this species and their habitat. Highly monitored and controlled, which was excellent news.

Dolphin pod jets alongside to check us out

After one more margarita and live music at the local restaurant, we headed out the next day from La Paz for destinations north. A dolphin pod wished us a safe journey as we sailed out of the bay and orca whales blessed as we headed north. What a treat! It’s so hard to capture the experience on camera, but we do our best.

Humpback whales playing on our port side

Before the big splash, momma and baby 
and others following

We’ve been traveling around the Loreto / Isla Carmen / Danzante Bay area for the last two weeks, enjoying the visit of our friends. It is truly a treat to share the experiences: the sights, the sounds and the many flavors of our boating life.

As our friends depart today, we will continue our exploration northward. The sea and its adventures await!

Always amazing, colorful flowers and plants

Great architecture & metal work everywhere

Electrical safety! Another use
for a plant hanger?

Exploring along the river in Mulege

Walkabout in Mulege, finding the museum/prison

The oasis in Mulege

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mulege

2 hands hanging on -
entering the cockpit

Our heavy grocery bag straps broke
so we paid a diver to salvage our stuff
at the dinghy dock in Puerto Escondido

In Guaymas, Salvador installing our wind generator
which has added to our available power
along with 4 additional batteries

Vista al Mar seafood restaurant outside Loreto

Find the hummingbird feeding!

The fabulous oasis that is Mulege

Foggy day in Punta Colorada on the Baja

Exploring Mulege from the hillside

The mystery of the toilet seat

The happy bottom painters: teamwork

Maybe this has happened to you. Maybe not. Or maybe you won’t admit it. In our world, we misplace things sometimes. Many’s the time, said object is found and a laugh is shared; a treasure unearthed.

Other times, we shrug our shoulders and say it’s one for Neptune. With living a split life between two small spaces, you’d think we should be able to keep track.

Ready to paint!

Let me back up a bit. We made it safely to Mexico last week and are happily living on board the boat in the dirt yard. We’ve been unpacking the many boat and lifestyle items we carefully selected during the last few months and carried down in our heavily loaded Ford Escape. It’s like Christmas as we unpack stuff and place it in coveted spaces on board.

In our stern head (back bathroom), the toilet seat hinges needed to be replaced. Rust, corrosion and heat cause things to wear out. It’s part of boat life. So, we special ordered the right size and brand of hinges in June. But, as we opened the bathroom door we discover that the entire toilet seat and cover are … missing. Gone. I am pretty sure nobody boarded our boat to steal the seat in the heat of summer in a guarded boatyard. Yet, here we are, scratching our heads all these months later. Absolutely no idea where in the world could this have disappeared.

I stated right away that I didn’t want to put up with a Mexican toilet while we are here, meaning a bowl only arrangement. They are quite common on our travels here. Thankfully through our many resources, we found a person who brings stuff down from the US and so she will be our ‘mule’ for a toilet seat. 

One of our priorities and first projects: We successfully got our 258 feet of 3/8” chain galvanized to extend its life. We started this initiative in May and the pallet was delivered a few days ago. It’s beautiful! We marked our 30 ft increments to facilitate anchoring and Mike hoisted the chain into the locker. The anchor shackle connecting with the chain was a joyous moment. 

Unloading our newly galvanized chain

Unloading from the shipper, boat delivery!

We are ready to launch on Monday, 2/22. This is a first for us, to splash after so few days of preparation as anyone who has seen us in the boatyard will attest. Not as many projects as we have undertaken every other year. We are motivated to get out, stay isolated and explore the sea and all her mysteries for a while.

First, we will head to Fonatur, the government boat dock, for a few days of projects. Of course, there are some that we will undertake, and we always hope they go well. 

Hoisting new life raft with the
mizzen boom, same method loading
the four gel cell batteries

Spray painting 30' color coded
markers for anchoring

Projects at the dock include:

-       - Installing and wiring the incremental battery bank to expand our battery capacity

-        - Installing the new life raft that will live on deck to replace the big one that is down below and not handy in case of emergency

-        - Installing and wiring the wind generator

-        - Revamping the stern companionway hatch – with the help of ‘Frank’ and Pepe

-        - Mounting the emergency ladder that Judy has wanted since day one. Our freeboard (space between the water and the deck) is quite high so I’ve always been paranoid that we would be like in a movie, where we can’t get back on board. Add a circling shark if that fulfills the picture for you.

Mariscos Miramar owner- happy to see us!

Our first seafood coctel in Guaymas - the cook
remembers us and called out our usual
order from that screen kitchen behind us. Fun!

Welcome to Mexico. Wayside stop at fuel
station. Pay 5 pesos, take
some TP from the basket and hope for the best
 

Our newly crafted sun shade for the bow was majorly revamped by Mike’s talented sewing sister this summer. We look forward to trying that out in remote sunny anchorages. Thanks, Joan!

And so Pura Vida and her hearty crew are ready for adventures. Wherever the winds take us.

What $100 buys at the grocery store.
Exchange rate is in our favor again!

Happy hour after a long day's work before
heading to the showers a long trek away

Sitting in our cockpit at happy hour-sailboats, red
hills, blue skies, ospreys circling & peregrine falcons flying by

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

 

   Our masks are all hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicolas' vaccine soon will be here

And so the year passed … so quickly yet slowly, oddly yet with familiarity, fearfully yet hopefully. For those who might enjoy reading the original 'Twas the Night Before Christmas poem, here you go.

We had a very busy summer and fall working our various jobs and are thankful for the work. Mike taught a lot of sailing classes at Passion Yachts each month and did other boat work. He turned plenty of people on to the world of sailing, sharing his experience and skills with patience. I also worked at Passion Yachts, doing lessons coordination which entails lots of logistics and wrangling of resources. With my project management background, it’s was a good match. 

We just completed another season stint at West Marine every week, taking advantage of our discount. Having jobs on the island meant short commutes for both of us. My marketing client base shrunk this year due to Covid and I made the decision to change from a corporation to sole proprietorship: open for business, just fewer taxes and less paperwork.

Christmas runner from Salzburg Austria -
waiting for years to be used and our
light from Loreto illuminates the office

We are still in Oregon – all geared up, literally, with the purchase of additional cold weather gear, to survive these cold, rainy and dark winter days. It’s been 10 years since we spent Christmas in Portland! For Christmas, we had to buy a few strings of lights to decorate our space and the archway on the dock out front. Since we have to do everything in moderation in our 658 square foot space, I also scored eight carefully placed ornaments and picked some greens to spark up our small living space. 

My cherished prizes from 2 years at
Carnival in Guaymas 2017-8

Christmas ships passing
by our moorage

Mt Hood on one of our walks along the Columbia

We’ve enjoyed the Christmas ships that come by our moorage three times this season. It’s a wonderful bit of cheer.

On the river we get cooler winds and with no insulation, the house gets rather chilly. Our pot belly gas stove and space heaters are running constantly. It’s a good thing we are comfortable living together in small spaces and it doesn't take much time to heat up!

In September, we celebrated our 13^th wedding anniversary in style at the Michael Jordan Steakhouse north of Vancouver WA. A big outing in these times, on our day worth celebrating. In October, we spent two lovely days at the Oregon coast - midweek so very quiet. Got a room with a fireplace and mini kitchen, so we were isolated and set.

Hiking and relaxing at Seaside Oregon 

Trekking in the rain forest

Oregon coast pin up girl

I learned to make Kim Chi from our friend Sue

It's a wonder what .50 pointsettias can
do for quick decorations

We wish each of you and your loved ones a very special holiday, filled with joy, warmth and love! With air hugs and best wishes for 2021.

Merry Christmas ~ and remember to be good for Santa.

Our Summer of 2020

Greetings from sunny, hot Portland. First of all, a big thank you and virtual hug you to everyone who has contacted me about my back surgery! I truly appreciate the outreach. To say the least, it's been an interesting summer for all of us, in so many ways. 

Long story short. I didn't have the surgery. It wasn't an easy decision but since I wasn't in 'debilitating pain' at the time of my surgery, the neurosurgeon said he thought it was best to avoid surgery unless it was critical - and I reluctantly agreed that I should 'wait'. The second MRI later in June showed that my cyst on my spine had 'resorbed' from the size of an olive to that of a pea. So my subsequent phone meeting with the neurosurgeon at Kaiser P lead to a similar, short discussion. Don't cut if you can handle the pain and situation.

I haven't written about it since I continue to have mixed emotions. It's hard to express. My decision for now is to see how life progresses. I am doing physical therapy and tolerating many movements and exercises. Truly, I am supremely thankful that I am not in recovery mode. I am working, active and challenging my mobility. 

New sheep troughs with jasmine and greenery

We are enjoying our little bit of paradise on Hayden Island and both once again, working several jobs to make our way.  

Enjoying our new "living room"

Our summer shore view - when river was higher 

We love our storage shed!

Chilling at my friend's family cabin on Orcas Island

Great cloud action every day from the deck

We had a great getaway to the San Juan Islands in July, where Mike taught two 4-day advanced Bareboat Charter classes to a variety of students - who all had a wonderful time while earning their advanced sailing certifications. 

We drove together to Anacortes, WA, where I met up with one of my longest term friends (don't want to say oldest!), and Mike boarded the boat in anticipation of his first students' arrivals. 

My friend and I spent a magical 4 days exploring Orcas Island and chilling at her family's "cabin".  After much catching up, laughter, exploration, kayaking and eating, we parted company in Anacortes where I met up with Mike and our friends. We spent the following 4 days on board 'Flyer', a Jenneau 44 - a modern, sleek and very different sailing vessel than our Pura Vida. We motor sailed to Stuart Island then hiked, relaxed, tried to catch some elusive crab, and generally hung out. This respite was more relaxing for me than Mike since he had to unwind from class 1, then prepare for the next group of students. All told, we had a wonderful time. The weather cooperated and we had some wind.

Contemplation at sunset

Lavender abounds on Orcas

Vistas from Mt Constitution

Mt Baker in the distance

Dual wheel, sleek Jenneau - a bit more modern
than our 1976 Islander Freeport

We hope you are all safe and well, as thankfully, we are.

The girls at Mt Constitution