Dave Lee flew in yesterday from San Francisco, and Dave Schimelfpenig (aka "Schimy")arrived this afternoon on the bus from Loreto. And of course we put them right to work!




We estimate that we are adding about 2,500 lbs. of food, gear and people to Confetti this week. Considering she weighs only 18,000 lbs. we expect our water line to be pretty close to the water. Hopefully our speed won't be affected too badly!

Our crew begins arriving today. The boat currently looks like a tornado went through it since every project seems to require every tool we have. So today is a major cleaning day, and tomorrow is a trip to Cabo in the rental car to hit Costco, which is supposedly exactly like US Costcos, except possibly more tortillas and chimichangas.

We are in a LaPaz marina after a great week cruising south, getting to stop at some fantastic places. It seems strange to be tied to a dock for the first time in over 5 months with so many other boats around. We almost forgot where the docklines and fenders were!

We will launch into projects this week and try to do 6 months of provisioning. Then, if all goes well, we will shove off on Monday for the Marquesas...

Anchored on the south side of Isla Catalina.

The amazing Catalina cacti!

Anchored next to our friend, the Elephant Rock.

One of our favorite places, "Pulpito," a volcanic "plug," in the background.



Punta Lobos, on the north end of Isla Carmen. On our way south after a rough and sleepless night at anchor in San Basilio when a strong westerly came up. The boat next to us (with the most outrageous paint job of the Texas flag along its entire hull!) dragged anchor in the middle of the night and actually hit bottom. Luckily our big bruce anchor and all-chain rode has so far served us really well.




Isla Catalina, 25 miles ahead. We've been looking forward to sailing Confetti to Catalina all winter!

After casting off from our mooring in Coyote Bay we sailed to a non-anchorage, dropped the hook and ran 3 miles up a canyon to find some 10,000-year old cave paintings we've been hearing about. It was an incredible day and we were seriously ready for some refreshments when we got back to the boat that was (thankfully) still happily anchored in a light breeze.

The NOLS Mexico community has treated us very well and we are so thankful!

After some advice from a diesel mechanic from Mulege, we are feeling okay about our engine and are SHOVING OFF from Coyote Bay today! We'll take 5 days to sail south to LaPaz, stopping at some of our favorite anchorages on the way. The week of March 26th - April 2nd we'll spend in a marina (will have internet access there), provisioning for the trip and clearing customs and immigration to leave the country.

We are sad to say goodbye to all of our NOLS friends, but excited to be continuing on our journey...

Lucky Dan, surrounded by beautiful women (and our friend Roger) on his birthday!!

Dan with the engine's heat exchanger and oil cooler out. The troubleshooting for our low oil pressure continues...

Kayo, Ramon and Roger, from the branch, came out with the Panga and a "hooka" rig to dive our bottom.