The New Cruising Season

Our summer...

back at Huber Farms was wonderful! 

Although it was a long, cold, lingering spring, 

the garden was finally planted....

only to be hailed upon the day after I planted it!!

Ah....but warmer weather, sunshine, and adequate moisture prevailed 

in the coming days.

Plant survival!!

In June I visited Leslie, her Nick, and Betsy in Denver

where they are all gainfully employed and enjoying the best of a great city!

The end of June brought a significant change in Huber Farms. 

After 101 years of selling milk from Huber Farms to Ellsworth Creamery, 

the milking herd of 71 cows was sold at auction on the farm.

Approximately 50 younger heifers remain,
but the daily grind of milking cows is over.
It was a very emotional day,

but my brother John is now enjoying a

well-deserved change of routine.

Our summer was filled with gardening,
biking, a few music gigs for me,
and two weeks in British Columbia

where we joined our good friends, 

Doug & Jan, aboard their powerboat,
"Snowhawke". 

I will never tire of feasting daily on 

fresh-caught crab, prawn, ling cod, salmon!! 

But we started missin' the boat...!!!

So, in mid-October we began our drive from Ellsworth back to La Paz,

a trip of approximately 3,000 miles. We made stops to see family,

friends, and conduct business in Denver, Sacramento, Davis, CA, 

and San Diego. This was our second drive down the 3-day Baja 1000, and that's always exciting!

Beautiful country, extraordinary vistas, well paved highway (VERY narrow, however), 

and early stops each day to avoid hitting cows on the highway in the dark. 

Ah...Palmira Marina Slip #322~
There's SEA STORY!!!!!

After readying the boat and provisioning,
we headed up into the Sea of Cortez

to one of our favorite anchorages,
Isla San Francisco.

That's Sea Story with the orange inflatable kayak.
See the Sierra Gigantes (mountains)?
Their colors are magnificent!!

That's Sea Story to the far right.
I took this photo from up on the ridge.

 It was quite a hike, and the wind was really blowing!!

Have I mentioned the Baja sunsets yet?

This was sunset on Dec. 8th at Puerto Ballena,
a magnificent anchorage

on our way back to La Paz.
I took soooo many photos off our starboard side 

that night in about 8 minutes......
 it was difficult to choose one to share with you.

Plus....

Can you believe the moon rising
off our port at the same time?

Simply fabulous!!!

Now we're back in port and enjoying evening "sundowners' 

with fellow cruisers here on Dock 3.

Folks are definitely getting into
 the Holiday Spirit...

Sea Story's holiday lights!

The cockpit as viewed from the cabin.
Very festive!!

Captain Jerry and I send you 

Best Wishes for the Holiday Season

& 

Hope for the Best New Year EVER!!

Life is great here in La Paz,
and we hope life is great for you,
wherever you may be!

'Til next time....

Mary Lee