In Mexico for the Winter

It's been a long time since I updated my blog - right, Suzanne?  Now that I've been busy on facebook, I have overlooked the blog.  There's no way to catch up without boring everyone, so briefly.........

After leaving the Napa River with the boat newly repaired, we returned to Sausalito and San Francisco, then down the coast of California stopping in Redondo Beach to visit with Laurie, then to San Diego.  Thanksgiving was spent with Larry and Shelly in Indio where we were able to sneak in a few Harley rides.  Back to San Diego to prepare for our trip south to La Cruz, Mexico.  We checked into Mexico in Ensenada - with the Capitano de Puerto, immigration, and customs.  What a joke - sorry but the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing - it's all very frustrating.  But you have to do it to be legal.  Now we are on a mission - after 2 days at sea we stopped in Turtle Bay for a break and a good night's sleep.  Then back to sea for 2 + days and a sleep over in Magdalena Bay.  Next stop Punta de Mita (check this place out!).  We only saw it from the water, but it looks very high-end with gorgeous scenery.  www.puntademita.org 

With all the cruising we've been doing, we have seen our share of spectacular sunsets.  

Booby on the bow rail.  He spent the night there!

                                           Joshua Tree National Park outside Indio, CA.  Took a harley ride with Larry through this unique national forest..........................lots of boulders, few trees.

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                                            Sunsets in La Cruz.  View from our boat.

                                                                Santa Paddy Claus

Friends John and Marlene, who live here 6 months of the year from Navarro, CA, invited us to join them for Christmas festivities.  They live behind a wall that opens into a spacious living area full of color and Mexican art.

                                          In the center of this village is a plaza/park.

                                      Christmas day with Jenn, Dawn, Marlene and Marina.

I hope your Christmas was bright and your new year a delight!

xox  Queenie

Back in the Bay! (Finally posted from Oct.)

(This is an old post that I never published - think I had a weak internet connection)

We arrived back in San Francisco Bay on Oct. 7.  I feel like I'm returning home.  I just love it here! 

 While on our way to Napa to visit friends we hit a buoy!  Ouch!  Fortunately Linda and Doug, who we came to visit along with Wayne and Elly from Roatan, live on the Napa River.  AND there is a marina @ 1 mile up the river where we can get the boat out of the water and get it repaired.

 As I have discussed before, living on the hard is HARD.  But this time, we did it right!  We were able to stay with the Simms' and enjoy the Napa Valley.  First on tap - dinner at the Pedroncelli Winery.  Dinner was served in the
barrel room after a wine tasting outside in the warm California sun.

Below is Wayne, Elly, Linda and Doug.

The Girls after a few glasses of very yummy wine.  Pedroncelli - try it if you can find it.

Then on to Domaine Carneros,  makers of Tatingers sparkling wine.  Domaine Carneros | Napa Valley Sparkling Wine and Pinot ...https://www.domainecarneros.com/

 Great quote on the wall:  "Remember Gentlemen, it's not just France we are fighting for, it's Champagne."  Winston Churchill.  He drank 1/2 a bottle of champagne everyday with lunch (or for lunch?)!!  My kind of guy.

Oh, then there's Gloria Ferrer, another sparkling wine winery.  This is a photo of one of their caves where they store there bottles in a naturally cool setting.

Yoga with Elly on the deck - downward facing kitty...............................

Lunch on the deck overlooking the Napa River - beautiful scenery.

Bonnie Kuhr is a multi-media artist who we met during the summer 2013 - she joined us several times on the boat to watch the Americas' Cup races.  We were able to attend her studio opening.

Thank you Elly and Wayne for letting us enjoy your Benz baby!  We only ran out of gas once!

The girls' all fixed and ready to go back into the water - after 3 weeks and mucho dinero!

On our way back to Sausalito, we spent the day/night on Angel Island.  Here's the view of San Francisco from the top - whew! what a hike.

Sunset over Sausalito....................