February ‘99
*Additional notes may appear in italics after my mom’s initial journal entries.
A ladybug means you should check the comments at the bottom of the page to see what Mom has chimed in on after reading these!
February 1st, Monday
John cleaned another boat bottom this a.m. The hookah just might end up paying for itself after 3 or 4 years if he can do enough bottoms! Went ashore; normal day.
February 2, Tuesday
We made a day of it today. Samie stayed in La Cruz with Rosa while John and I went into Nuevo Vallarta to see Summer Wind, Jim and Kitty. Jim was in the process of having the prop and shaft pulled so he can have it all fixed. We took that in to the mechanic – via one of Jim’s van rides.
They took us to Ernesto’s for lunch – really wonderful tortilla soup. Also stopped at Gigantes for just a few things. It was a nice way to spend the day. Jim and Kitty are in the process of a lot of work to get the boat ready for the truck/trailer trip from Mazatlan to Toronto. They have to follow the boat as far as Nogales, Az.
February 3, Wednesday
John cleaned the lines that run in and out of the refrigeration, he also cleaned out the inside zincs. Afternoon ashore. Oh, it blew up to 23k out of the bay. Most we’ve had so far. Lite N Up was dragging – John went over and threw out his other anchor before he could make it out from the beach.
Shine and Goon called last night, neither one of them can afford to fly out, but all is well.
February 4, Thursday
Slow day – Samie wasn’t too anxious about getting school over with as early as normal. So it was 3 pm before we got to shore.
Well, I guess the “season” has arrived – the last 2 days the Banderas Bay breeze has hit 20k. It has been really nice up to now – only a 10k afternoon breeze.
February 5, Friday
La Cruz
Samie went in early today. It’s yet another Mexican Holiday – Constitution Day – so no school for Jena. Her sister, Laura is down from Canada and took the girls in to P.V. to the water park and shopping. Samie bought a new swimsuit and sun glasses with the last of her Christmas money. John and I spent the day ashore. We even had dinner at Cruise Quarters. Lupe had made chili rellenos and the guys shared; Simon and Oso gave us one of theirs – such neat guys. Samie spent the night with Jena.
February 6, Saturday
Happy Birthday Mom
Tried to call her, but the phone has a problem!
Spent most of the day ashore.
February 7, Sunday
Normal day in Paradise.
February 8, Monday
At 10 am, we pulled up the anchor and headed over to Marina Paradise Village in Nuevo. It only took half an hour – 10k and slightly swelly, we just motored.
Dick Markie, who used to be harbor master at Marina Mazatlan, is now here and he talked us in through the entrance. This one is also being dredged and can be real surgey and breaking swells – but nothing like Mazatlan. He put us in an “easy-in-easy-out” slip – thank you! We have no power or water, but we do have access to the really neat pools and great beach. This is a neat spot. Danielle will love it. We dinghied over to Summer Wind, they are in Nuevo Vallarta Marina, which is really falling apart. He is still working on getting his boat all back together.
*I vaguely remember this trip to the water park with Jena and her not wanting to do the tube slide. That thing could be pretty gnarly!
I tell you what - I got so many busted lips during these years before I got braces, while my eye teeth were still up high in my gums, protruding out a bit. It’s a good thing our mouths are one of the fastest-healing parts of our body, and my lip would usually be healed up in 1, maybe 2 weeks.
Oh my goodness, me and my boy-crazy eyes, scanning for cuties everywhere. 😍🤪
I still tend feel this way about zoos in general. 😕
February 9, Tuesday
Paradise Village
John washed down the boat and polished some – I cleaned below – Samie cleaned her room and put everything away for Danielle and Ben. Wow – there is a bed under all her stuff! Kitty came over for a while – Jim dropped us off at the airport. Danielle and Ben arrived at 3:15 pm. Jim wasn’t back (another errand), so we got a taxi. Well, taxis only take 4, no room for 5 – so John stayed to get the bus. In the meantime, Jim came back.
Jim and Kitty came over for happy hour. The 5 of us had dinner, then the kids went swimming – John and I walked on the beach. Then we watched the comedy show put on by the hotel – really funny.
Oh, everyone but me walked up to look around and the spider monkeys got Ben’s glasses and destroyed them. They also took a chunk of John’s hair.
Danielle brought Samie some shorts and tops, John and I beach towels with pillows attached.
*Jim was so great to give us so many rides into and around town! I’m sure glad Dad hadn’t caught a ride on the bus yet when Jim came back for us! Without a way to contact him, I can imagine him looking around for us at the airport and I wonder how long he’d have stayed, in case?! That man was such a treasure - him and Kitty both! I can hear him now, that big bundle of energy and joy that he was, all 6 foot + of him: “Oh HEY there!!” He used his arms a lot while talking, the way I remember, and could be so animated and had a great laugh and was, as far as I ever saw, always in a great mood. Awe, we sure did love those two. I’m so grateful we had the pleasure of knowing them. 🥰
*😂 I know it sure wasn’t funny to the guys in the moment, but the whole spider monkey fiasco cracks me up. There was only fencing between us and the monkeys, thus the warnings. The guys were close enough for the monkeys to grab at them, and I swear it wasn’t but 5 minutes after Danielle said that when we heard Ben cussing after the monkey that snatched his glasses and took to destroying them! I remember the monkey grasping one temple/earpiece in his hand and the other in his opposite foot and pulling them apart. Dad and Ben were all fired up and trying to grab them back from the monkey, which was just out of reach, maybe even taunting them a bit. 🐒 Definitely didn’t get the brand new prescription glasses back and the monkey sure had the last laugh getting a handful of Dad’s hair when he was still grabbing after him! 😬Danielle and I were like, “well, the sign said….” 🤷♀️
The comedy shows they had at the amphitheater were so much fun. They’d get the crowd involved and people were such great sports. One setup I remember was getting couples up on stage and doing that game where they have to pop a balloon between each other, no hands allowed. I remember one couple running “full speed” at each other, and another where the woman was comically and frantically trying to hop on her husband’s lap and pop the balloon. 😆
Honestly, all this recollection is making me want to look into a trip to Paradise Village!
Ha, sleeping arrangements got tight pretty quickly on the boat when we had company. There was one long bench/couch and two smaller ones, I probably just curled up on a small one until Dad moved to his bed.
February 10, Wednesday
The kids piddled around in the morning. When they all went to the beach, I ended up staying here to keep an eye on Coral while Stu helped John set the timing on the engine. Everyone else rode into town to get beer with Jim, Summer Wind, and had a “typical Jim outing”. After dinner, we all walked up to the hotel to watch the fiesta dancing and bull riding.
*Awe, bummer! I don’t remember the dancing or bull riding!
February 11, Thursday
John’s been working on the gen-set, changed oil, etc. Spent a couple hours at the pool – oh, big exciting day for Samie. Her and Ben went parasailing from the back of a boat. They went up 100 meters – 7 minutes, $65 U.S. Danielle and I took pictures from the beach. They both liked it – but Samie was high on the rush all day. We took a bus out to La Cruz for dinner.
John and Ben hit the taco stands – 10 tacos each and 2 scoops of ice cream, each. Us girls ate at Cruise Quarters. Taxi back was 90 pesos. I had a terrible headache again.
*Ben and I had an absolute blast parasailing! Danielle had done this when she came to visit us on our first year down, but she had to get a running start on her own from the beach! It was much easier to simply be lifted off the platform at the back of the boat the way we were. They took us up along the coastline a ways and back. It was so cool to see everything from high up and was one of the coolest little excursions I got to do on our travels. I would definitely do it again!
I seem to remember Dad and Ben raving about their taco feasts. Yummm!
Poor Momma with those damned migraines - especially with company and being out and about! I seriously don’t know how she did it. Especially now that I have had my fair share of them - you just don’t know how bad they are until you’ve experienced it. And even then, there are so many different kids of them and they effect everyone differently. There’s a general consensus that you wouldn’t even wish them on your worst enemy!
February 12, Friday
The kids all took a bus into old town and spent the day spending money. John worked more on the gen-set – I tried to get rid of my headache.
February 13, Saturday
It was a beach and pool day. Such a hard life.
John fixed the gen-set, it needed a new fuel pump. We took the bus into La Cruz again – Ben wanted another taco night. Still have the headache.
*That was sweet of Ben and Danielle to take me to town with them - I’m sure they would have also liked some time off to themselves. Thanks, guys! 🥰
February 14, Sunday
Paradise Village
This week has gone by really fast. Danielle and Ben have pretty much entertained themselves and we’ve tagged along. Being in a marina makes it easier to have company and this is a neat spot to be.
We never did get out to go sailing, though.
Jim drove the kids to the airport and they flew out at 4:39 pm. Danielle wasn’t as sunburned as usual – Ben was pretty red, though.
It’s been really warm – hot even, in here, all the hotels block most of the breeze.
*It made for a real treat to have full access to the resort when staying in the marina! Lucky ducks, I tell ya! Luck-y ducks! 🦆✨
February 15, Monday
I could live here – permanently! I’ve come to like marinas – but this one is by far the best. Especially for now, until they get the power and water to this dock. I think it’s only $12 U.S. right now, per day. We can use the pools, great beach, and they supply boogie boards and towels. We have a reservation for March 17-21 for the regatta fiesta. Although the only reason I want to be here for that is if Angela is here. So, we’ll see.
Samie met Rachel off of Marara, who is from Ventura, CA and is best friends with Sonya, Hot Toddy. Sonya has even written to Samie about Rachel. Small world.
John went into town with Jim this a.m.
Samie used the $130 pesos that Ben and Danielle left her to buy a dress on the beach. Her and I spent several hours at the pool.
Michael and Peggy both called – Shine to say that they took Grandma Davis to the hospital, she was bleeding internally. She’s 95 and has been in bed totally unaware for the last 4 years.
Goon said she is now officially engaged. Caleb finally told his parents he doesn’t want to go on a mission – but get married instead. Now she’s moved their date up to June 19th. She’s happy.
*I loved that sun dress! Wore it all the time. Kinda wish I still had it, haha. It was a black spaghetti strap with big purple flowers.
I was so excited to hear that Peggy was getting married!
February 16, Tuesday
We left the Paradise Marina at 8 am, high tide. We were anchored out in La Cruz at 10 am. It’s pretty swelly out here now – the beach landing and take-off had to be timed just right. Oh, the 8 days in the marina was only $87 U.S. Of course that will change big-time once the power and water gets on the dock.
We went into town a little early and took Meghan and Bridget from Shadowfox in, too. They are only anchored here for today. On the way in, the bees were swarming. Cool looking, but we wanted to stay away.
It’s Rosa’s birthday, I gave her one of the lion’s paw shells that I varnished and a pair of earrings. Juan, the waiter, brought her flowers and Blair brought a cake.
Chelle called to tell Samie Happy Birthday early. She’s getting things ready for their wedding.
Baker and Cindy, Lite N Up, came by for a while.
After being in the marina where not too much wind makes it in, so the boat gets really warm and stuffy – now on the hook again, it was cool with the 20k breeze and somewhat lumpy.
I hope I can drag myself out on deck in the cool breeze to keep up with the beautiful tan I got poolside in the marina.
February 17, Wednesday
La Cruz
Happy 12th Birthday, Samie!
I can’t believe she’s 12 – I don’t have a “little” girl anymore. She got mostly money and is having fun spending it. We went in to the flea market early this a.m. and she bought a backpack, shirt, nail polish and 2 t-shirts for Jena. Since they always get Samie something and we are never here for Jena’s birthday, we got her something this year. Kathy, Abientot, had bought Samie a cake mix and icing when we were still in La Paz, so she mixed it up and baked that today. We took it into Cruise Quarters to share. She had a nice day.
Grandma and Grandpa called. So did Shine and Goon.
*The cake mix had all these pretty blue, pink and green swirls in it that I didn’t want to cover all up with frosting, so I just frosted the outskirts. 🙃
February 18, Thursday
John cleaned Majoon Rick’s boat bottom, also Walkabout Jerry’s prop. Samie and I had to get back to school. A week and a half for “spring break” – so we need to hit it hard and do 1.5 lessons a day – once Barb and Richard get here we’ll have another week off. It was 2 pm before we headed in to shore.
The wind blew 15-20k for a couple hours, but calmed to 10k around 2 – early. The swell has been running big and makes the beach landing tricky. Especially the take-off when it is a low tide. John and I both got wet up to the waist today. Samie was lucky and got in the dink soon enough.
We rented The Wedding Singer; really cute movie. – Oh, we talked to Sea Witch on “Norm’s” net, they were buddy-boating with Tom, Val and CJ on Christina. They made it through the Tehuantepec ok, but had to try twice to get through the Papagayos. Right now they are in El Salvador – getting close to Costa Rica. We sent a message: “See you this summer in Lakeside” – their reply was “Maybe, maybe not.” Good to know all is well.
February 19, Friday
Beautiful day, only a light breeze, warm sun. The surf is still up though. We got a fax today from the Gibson’s. They went to Europe, France and Spain. It was the coolest it’s been in Spain in the last 50 years and snowed while they were there. Lakeside, on the other hand, is pretty nice. He says the ski run is going to close down and the businesses are in deep do-do!
*I completely forgot about this friend of Sonya’s and that whole thing! It really can be such a small world sometimes! It makes me wonder about the people we come across daily with whom we probably have shared connections, but will never know about. Like on Facebook when you see someone’s mutual friend list and you realize you have some totally random person in common for this reason or that.
Ha, Stu and the other guys I mention were part of the entertainment crew. They’d get everyone amped up at the pool, I think they’d get us dancing to some music, playing some sort of games with the group and I think I remember water polo or volleyball at some point, as well. I’m sure there were crushes aplenty on those guys. At one point, I had totally intended to go work at that resort after graduation. Dick Markie had told us that I’d have a spot there as long as he was still running the place. I thought about it in 2005 - but I stayed in Lakeside, partly for …a BOY. Oy vay. 🙄🙃 Can’t help but wonder who and where I’d be today if I’d decided differently… I guess that’s for another timeline!
Happy Birthday to me and Rosa! That was so sweet of everyone to have gifts for me, especially the crew from Crew’s Quarters. They were so much like a second family. 🥰
February 20, Saturday
La Cruz
Happy Anniversary Mom and Daddy
John talked to Steve and Molly, Star Song, this a.m. on the HAM radio. They are still in Chula Vista on the boat, but Steve drives truck now, long hauls.
We only went ashore for a bit today. Jim and Kitty, Summer Wind, came out and anchored around noon. They sure looked pretty under sail. They have another boater, Gordy, who also sold his boat, he’s crewing with them up to Mazatlan and will help with the process of taking her apart to be trucked up to Toronto to the new owners. We spent a couple hours visiting over there. They gave us their ships bell as a gift. John is going to polish it up and have Summer Wind, Jim and Kitty / Wandrin’ Star, John, Julie and Samie – engraved on it.
The thought of giving up the cruising life is too sad to think about – even though they will be back in an RV, it won’t be the same.
The wind blew 20k from 11 am to 4 pm – yuk. Swell was also running still – but at least the sunshine is getting warmer.
*That bell was such a beautiful feature in the cockpit! Dad did get it engraved, and it was still on the boat when we sold her in 2008. I tried to convince Dad to dismantle it so we could keep it, with all its personal touches and everything, but for whatever reason, he didn’t. I wonder if the current owners kept it?
February 21, Sunday
School and off to shore – John polished the bell from Summer Wind and mounted it on the inside of the dodger. Looks really good.
John was reading, Samie and I were watching a movie around 7:30 pm when Judy on Loon came on the VHF radio with a call for help. John and Jerry, Walkabout, were over there in a flash.
Jerry didn’t tie off his dink very good and someone else had to go out and rescue it. They got Don stabilized and John went to shore to wait for the doctor that Bob and Deann had called. Doc said pneumonia. It was 10 pm before John got home – thank God Don’s ok.
*I seem to vaguely remember this about Don - so glad Dad and Jerry were able to get over to him ASAP and that whoever else spotted Jerry’s dinghy slipping away was able to catch it - he probably didn’t tighten it enough in his hustle to get on board. I’ve said it so many times before, and I’ll say it again - our cruising community was the best! And having everything up on the VHF and HAM radios where everyone can listen in enables so many more people to help. With phones and whatnot, everything is direct and private. For a modern comparison, I’d say the VHF was like a group chat can be these days. Everyone’s tuned in and can either participate or keep quiet.
Anyway, super grateful they were able to get a doctor out to Don and take care of him. I don’t remember much about him except that he was one of the first cruisers we made friends with in Ensenada our first few months in Mexico, and I liked him, he was always nice to me. To this day, I still think of him whenever I see a loon (or a grebe, ‘cause they’re pretty similar).
February 22, Monday
Rosa called around 11 am to ask if I would go in and watch the bar while she cooked today. Blair was in town, it’s Oso’s day off – (he did go in, though, for the dinner hour). Lupe and Simon - neither one showed up, so it was just her and Juan, who wasn’t due in for a couple hours.
Just before we went in, Juan and Oso came by in Juan’s boat to say Hola. So I worked – if you can call it that – for our dinner tonight. I sure didn’t do much and it was fun to help out.
It's Blair’s 58th birthday, Mike and Diane (locals) planned a “wake.” Everyone came in with candles and a coffin. Diane had written a cute poem and a “last will and testament.” I was left the cash register; they may be surprised at what is or isn’t in it. It was real nice and Blair was surprised.
*Rough day for Rosa! The bar was downstairs and the kitchen and restaurant upstairs - definitely impossible to run solo. I hope Lupe and Simon were ok, but also that they weren’t just playin’ hooky. 😕 I’m glad Mom was able and willing to go help out and that Oso did go in to help for dinner.
I do seem to remember this party theme for Blair - I think he got a pretty good chuckle out of it. He was one of those types that has a pretty stern look about him most days, so when he would crack a smile, it was the greatest thing ever! I miss that guy, he was good people. ❤🪽
February 23, Tuesday
Quiet, cloudy, breeze (20k) day. I was sick last night, so stayed home all day. John and Samie went in as usual. John was gonna take Felipe out for a taco stand feast tonight.
I talked to Shine, Grandma Davis is home and just the same. Goon said her and Caleb are planning a “civil” wedding first so we can be there! I guess it’s selfish on my part, but that made my day better – I’d been missing them.
*Peg and Caleb are LDS and were originally only planning to have their temple ceremony. I remember raising a stink with Peg about how sad Mom and I would be if we couldn’t attend her wedding (we wouldn’t have been able to enter the temple).
February 24, Wednesday
John did his usual net control on the Sonrista HAM net this morning. Then he helped Jerry, Walkabout, fix his dinghy motor while Samie and I did school.
Afternoon ashore. Today was cloudy, warm though and not too much of a breeze. Samie has been renting a lot of movies here – big selection, too – tonight we watched G.I. Jane, better than I thought it would be.
*You bet yer booty I was renting all the movies I could! I’ve always enjoyed me some stories - whether they’re in the pages of a book or flashing across the television screen.
February 25, Thursday
John cleaned our prop, Loon’s prop and Adios’s bottom. Samie is studying and testing.
Town, home, spaghetti, cloudy but warm.
February 26, Thursday
Another “normal” day – normal, what’s normal?
Samie spent the night at Jena’s.
February 27, Saturday
Chelle and Rick got married today. I tried calling – but only left a message. I’m sad that we could not be there. Since John’s not there to give her away, Richard Flores is. And he and Barb are bringing a video with them here on the first.
Rosa, Samie, Jena and myself went into PV to Commercial and did a little shopping. It was nice to go together.
February 28, Sunday
Same ‘ole, same ‘ole. Partly cloudy, warm and muggy. For a while, we could see all the way to PV beach, then the clouds set in again. Big ‘ole cloud bank on shore – looked cool. Moon is getting close to full again. Another beautiful sunset. Went to town for a while – same ‘ole, same ‘ole, never boring! Always a new beauty.
