Her maiden voyage...

While we were anchored at Balandra on Isla Carmen Barry offered to take their kayaks to shore so we could try there since we have been talking about buying our own. By the time we got around to doing it, though, a pretty strong breeze had come up. Alice was determined to do it anyway, so Barry gave her a brief lesson in paddling and away she went. As long as she was going with the wind all was well. When she decided to turn around and get back to the group on shore the wind kept pushing her back. SO, she decided to dip the paddle a little deeper with a little more energy~ and that was all it took~ into the drink she went, overturning the kayak in the process! The life jacket did its job while she clung to the overturned kayak. Bill and Barry jumped in the dinghy and came out to rescue her. Barry got the kayak turned right again but Alice could not get back in, so she got to get towed all the way back to the shallows! What a show for the bay to watch... She has to try it at least once more to see if she can do it right... her maiden voyage and SHE is the one who got christened!!! (Notice our boats in the bay...)

And A Good Time Was Had By ALL!!

The Loreto Fest has drawn to a close. A good time was had by all. There were about 100 boats in the harbor plus various land people- those who live here and those who just came to visit! Alice's chili did not take the prize but did receive a lot of good comments. She made five quarts and all that was left was on the serving spoon! Barry and Cindy did not win the horseshoe tournament but gave it a good shot. We had the chance to visit with a couple who just returned from four years in Australia-too bad we can't make it that far... Alice donated two sets of jewelry for the silent auction, proceeds going to local schools. One sold for $12 and one for $30! Now it is time for Cindy to fly home and for us to take Ted to a few anchorages and let him get a real taste of handling a boat this size.

Happy Birthday, Bill!

The evening of April 30 found us on brother Barry's boat, along with his girlfriend Cindy, our friend Ted from Idaho, and another couple we made friends with in La Paz. Cindy fixed a MARVELOUS turkey dinner as "The Feast before the Fest". Chocolate cake and ice cream from Grey Wolf topped off the evening and wished Bill well on his upcoming 42nd anniversary of his 29th birthday!!! Today is the beginning of a four day event called Loreto Fest, planned by and for cruisers here in the Sea of Cortez. There will be seminars, craft classes, food, games, contests, food, dancing, a swap meet, food, a silent auction, a chili cook-off, and more food. We look forward to seeing those we've met before and making new friends as well. Alice hopes that her pumpkin-chicken chili will be a winner at the cook-off. She also hopes she can stay on her new eating plan which does seem to be helping her drop some inches... no scales on board and that is just as well.