not too much going on here, we are still tied to the dock at marina de la paz. we are having stainless steel work done on the boat so it is taking a long time to finish. we removed all the old life lines and had stainless rails put on all around and since we bought a dive tank compressor, we had a stainless plate made to mount it on. also stainless dive tank holders, jerry can holders, propane tank holders, a bow plate for the anchor, gates for the stern and entry to make it easier to get on and off, and a ladder for the dinghy. all and all, it is a lot of work and time consuming. they should be done some time this week. at least we are hoping. been pretty busy rearranging the bow cabin and took out the back head and made it into storage. work and slave, work and slave.

it is carnaval week down here and the town in nothing but noise and partying. it is a really big deal for everyone. we went to it the first night (thursday) and have stayed away since. too many people in various stages of drunk!!!! but it was fun to walk through and see all the booths and rides. kinda like a small scale puyallup fair only wilder. lol. this is the last night of it (fat tuesday) and the parade has just passed our end, so it will settle down a little. really noisy.

we got our geezers cards today. gives us discounts on bus rides, air fare inside mexico, ferry ride to the mainland, pharmaceuticals, free hospital, etc. it was free and well worth the effort and time. now we have to get our fm2 cards renewed, and then we are off again to the islands for the summer. back here in october, then around the end of november, going south to puerto vallarta, mazatlan, z-town. i would like to spend christmas in z-town and then head for the panama canal. but like everything in the sailing world, this is tentative. plans are usually changeable as they need to be. lots of things to consider and reconsider before anything happens. weather is always a challenge.

our lives are full and we are doing well, healthwise, who can ask for anything more? hope you are all well, healthy, and happy. hugs to all.

just thought i´d show off her christmas decorations. she´s so beautiful all decked out for the holidays.

raindancer decked out in her christmas regallia

one of the boats in the marina

ok, here i am again. we had a very quiet, lovely christmas, hope yours was as good and peaceful. things are quiet in the marina this time of year, lots of people are spending the holidays in the states and canada. not too many gatherings, just a simple appetizer/dessert christmas thing and nothing so far for new years. guess we will spend it just the two of us. maybe have a drink before bed to toast the new year. bedtime is about 9 or 10. i guess we are not the normal cruisers, cuz we really don´t do much drinking any more. maybe a beer now and then with friends,( i usually skip the beer and have a mixed drink or a margarita). i do love a good margarita. our friends on big wonderful got back to la paz last week and had a good time swimming with the giant mantas in the socorro islands. they took some great underwater videos. we watched them last night. i don´t think that is my calling. i think i will stick with whale sharks, they like people. lol.

took the dogs to the vet and got their shots updated. daisy and maggie also got hormone shots. they are in great health and the vet was surprised at how good their teeth were. look ma, no cavities!!!! they sure are good dogs. i guess we got the right kind of dogs for our adventures. they are loving it as much as we are. who knew.

i decorated our boat for the holidays and guess i will be taking them down in a few more days. i love the lights on the boat. it makes it look so cheery when we have been gone for a while and come back after it is dark. i may leave them up til after the new year, if dan doesn´t object too much. i think he kinda likes them too. there are a few boats in the marina that put up lights and i like to walk up the dock every night and look at them. it is really the only thing that makes it feel like christmas. i guess if i had lived in florida or southern california, i would be used to the sun and 80 degree weather, but being from washington, i think of cold and wet this time of year. oh well, i have to admit, i love the warmth and the sun. beats the hell out of cold and wet. well, you all have a safe new years eve and a very happy new year. later.......