After getting a team of caregivers to care for my 96-year old Mom for a month, I left for Mexico to be with Howard and Britta. I left in style - my friends Wendy and Judy drove me to Victoria to catch the speedy Victoria Clipper to Seattle. I arrived in Seattle about 10:00 p.m. New Years Eve. Refusing to pay $30 for a taxi when I could have an adventure instead, I caught a few downtown buses and was so pleased that, for a mere dollar, I arrived at my hotel - and I got to meet some nice folks from Bakersfield too!

I thought getting up at 4:00 a.m. New Years Day would be hard, but I was awake and ready to get going. Once in Puerto Vallerta, I easily caught a local bus and got to the main staion with an hour to spare to catch the only direct bus to Melaque that day - perfect!

The trip seemed long, but it was only about 5 hours. I was ready to be "home" when I arrived at Melaque at about 8:00 to kisses from Howard and Britta. We walked the beach and launched the dinghy into the surf. I had forgotten my moves and fell face first onto Howard's knee getting in.

I got lots of practice in the next month and even got pretty good at it.
One thing it took me awhile to realize was that I got wet each time we launched or landed and spent the first few weeks walking about wet and sandy. I finally got smart and bought myself a bikinni and coverup - and suddenly did not care how wet I got!

We had a wonderful month! We did not sail far (probably not over 100 miles) but had two fabulous days of sailing - plus lots of days exploring the beach villages and getting to know other cruisers. We spent a week in Teniticatita, almost a week at Las Hadas, near Manzanillo, and the rest of the time in Melaque.

Britta and I swam everyday and I walked the beach most days, often seeking a handmade treasure in the market - and often finding just what I wanted.

I sadly left February 1st to care for my Mom, hoping to return in early March. My trip home was so easy as I flew from Manzanillo to Vancouver this time. Arriving very late in Vancouver and wanting to leave very early to catch the first ferry, I got to know Vancouver Airport well at night. It is an amazing place - with areas open all night, a fancy hotel with a sofa and fireplace to pass some of the night, and a Burger King open all night.

Finally, by 4:00 a.m. I had breakfast and began waiting for the buses that would take me to the ferries. A perfect, very easy trip - but I was glad to get a jacket when I got home - the weather certainly had changed!