Our National Parks 2015

On June 5, 2015 Paddy, Larry and I left Indio, CA for our adventure through some of America's most amazing National Parks.  While growing up, we never camped!   (My Dad's idea of camping was going to a Howard Johnson Motel with a pool and black and white TV!)  So seeing these parks was a real "eye opener" me.  I just can't express my enthusiasm for these parks.  This country offers so much diversification.  They belong to us - you and me.  Go see them.

 First stop was Lake Havasu, CA and lunch next to the London Bridge.  By the way, we hit every Harley shop along our path.  Some were just little t-shirt stores while other were major dealerships. Hence, London Bridge Harley Shop.  Then to Laughlin and dinner at this great place with a beer tap at the booth.  Dangerous!

 Next stop, Zion National Park, Utah.  Here you look up and can walk a peaceful path by the river.

 

 Then off to Bryce Canyon National Park where you look down unless of course you are hiking a trail down in the bottom of the canyon - looking up.  Too many pictures to show you so you'll just have to go yourself!

Hoo-doos! Those towering rock formations.

 Mesa Verde National Park,  Colorado 

-where the Pueblos created homes in natural caves in the sides of rocky mountains to protect them from the winter snows and winds.  After approximately a 24 year drought, they left the area to find a more resourceful place to live.  They were there only 150 years.

The most gorgeous ride was from Bryce Canyon through the Grand Staircase-Escalante, Glen Canyon, and Canyonlands National Park (all in southern Utah).  Put that ride on your bucket list!

Dinosaur National Park - Utah

Yes, Dorothy, there were once dinosaurs roaming the earth - in Utah. 

 Just had to go to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to visit Pat and Anita.  Go see them at their restaurant The Lift.  Charming town with a rodeo every Wednesday.  Even Gator Dave showed up. And it's down the road from Yellowstone.  I was disappointed we didn't see any bears, then again, I was relieved.

And there's the famous Mangy Moose, once owned by Pat.



Heading East from Jackson Hole through Idaho to visit the Craters of the Moon National Park. Looked like a lava field!


Continuing into eastern Oregon where it was a little warmer and drier.  Cute towns there - Wallowa, Enterprise and Joseph.  Check out the B&Bs there.  North through Hell's Canyon - that was interesting.............and up to Washington state.  Stopped and spent several days with Becky and Wirt at their lovely home and I was lucky to see Val and her fiancee Chris.  And Gator Dave!  He was visiting to pick up a 1975 BMW motorcycle.

Here's our view of Mt. Hood from the deck!  Yes, that's snow.

We arrived a few weeks ago in Vancouver to see Julie, John and Foos.

 This is sweet Foos.

 Pool party with Susie, Aimee and their clan!

It's been a wild month plus covering almost 2,700 miles, visting about 8-9 national parks and seeing way too many motels.  Thank goodness for my cushy seat and generous friends to stay with.  I fly to Florida on the 19th for 3 weeks and can't wait to see family and friends, go scalloping and sweat alot! Paddy's heading east for Sturgis. Then we'll begin our trip back to California and visit some friends on the way.  

We LOVE California!

Paddy and I miss Le Chat Beaute' and look forward to returning to our home moored 

in San Diego early September. 

Namaste' 

The Beauty of the Sea of Cortez

Finally - the Sea of Cortez!  The only problem is we just didn't stay long enough.

Puerto Ballandras

Mushroom Rock - of course 

                     Dinner onboard with old friends - Dennis and June from sv Shamaness.

                                            And new friends Debi and Burton on sv On Air

                                                       
                                                               with their Shepard Zula!

                                                   
                                                     John and Marlena's Ballou

                                                             

Bahia de los Muertos (Bay of the Dead!)

The arches of  Cabo

Le Chat Beaute' is now moored in San Diego as we arrived there May 26th after a long trip from Cabo San Lucas.  We were "stuck" in Turtle Bay for a week waiting for a weather window.  The winds were blowing 15 - 20 kts.  But fortunately we met new boating buddies, Rod and Mary on Northern Lights, and Giuliano and Lisa on Serenity.  

Today is June 4, 2015 and we're at Larry's in Indio - only 97 degrees.  A few days ago the temps were in the 100's.  Whew!  Tomorrow we three leave for another Harley adventure.  The plan is to start out with a visit to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, then head north........where it's cooler!

P.S.  Click on Paddy's blog Le Chat Beaute' for a different angle!

Mazatlan Mexico

We visited the charming city of Mazatlan as we were heading north to the Sea of Cortez.  The architecture is from the 1500-1600s depicting the luxurious life style of that time.  

     

 It just so happens that the International Bike Week was happening.  The Mexicans do Bike Week a little differently then in the states -  #1 the "fender fluff".  No Harley garb on these beautiful women!  We're talking make-up to the hilt, the tightest pants and shortest shorts, along with the highest of high heels!  These chicks love their cosmetics!

 

         Dinner anyone?  No trip to Mazatlán is complete without a stop by the Mercado Pinos Suarez. Built in 1899 it has most of the original structure including cast iron columns. Meat ,clothing and vegetables and almost anything you need on a daily basis can be found if you know where to look.

                                                Next stop - La Paz in the Sea of Cortez.

Still in Mexico

Our arrival to La Cruz was Dec.24, 2014, Christmas Eve.  Departure April 3, 2015, Good Friday.

We had a wonderful time there.  Very comfortable, life was easy and very convenient.  My duties on the boat are the galley (groceries), laundry and basuro (garbage).  Important jobs as I am sure you will agree.  There are many tiendas (small markets with limited selection) so it's relatively easy to pick up low fat milk, cold beer, and fresh veggies.  Our friends John and Marlena were generous enough to drive us to Mega (mucho grande grocery store), the Pemex for jury jug gasoline, and Costco in Puerta Vallarta any time we needed to go.


Our pastime was spent going to the beach on the way to Punta de Mita, Destillidaris Beach; sailing Banderas Bay mostly to make fresh water (yes, we have a water maker); took a few tours of the area with our new friend April; listened to great music, and feasted in the local restaurants and on the boat; caught some fish; shopping at the Sunday Market and collecting fabulous local arts - pottery, jewelry, and woven products. AND even went skiing for a week in Snowmass, Colorado with the New Smyrna Beach Ski Club!!! Lots of company came to visit too:  Diane, Paddy's sister from Alaska, Jill and Ray from Crystal River, and Larry from Palm Springs/Arlington, WA.

With Jill and Ray at the beach

Ray trying out my new paddle board

Paddy, Gator Dave, Maryjane and Cabana on the slopes

La Cruz' Sunday Market 

On the famous malecon in Old Puerta Vallarta

Our fav - chili rellano

Jill and April getting into trouble

a parked Ass!!!!

Jalisco Hacienda in need of repair but still lovely and great representative of the era

John caught a fish!

Ahi!

Diane's a funny gal!

Major things were taken care of such as refinishing our anchor chain.  It required being removed and disconnected from the boat, transferred to a panga, then to a truck and driven to Guadalajara - about 4-5 hours away, dipped in a cleaning solution then twice into a galvanizing dip.  Then the reverse!  Paddy then had to rig a temporary rope/chain/string combo to use instead for the 3 weeks ("oh, you said only 2 weeks!") that it took before being returned to the Le Chat Beaute.  Fortunately Jill and Ray were visiting and Paddy put Ray to work as his co-captain.

It's always something.........................