Adios Barra & La Cruz-----Bienvenidos a Mazatlan

Our time at Barra de Navidad came to an end when Wally and Linda on s/v Andanzas arrived back from Zihuatanejo.


We really enjoyed the small town atmosphere of Barra, which even sported a unique cigar store for John (they actually roll their cigars there).


We also had a great time with new cruising friends - Marg & Lou on s/v Seabird and Whitey & Sally on s/v Reality Check.

On our way back up to La Cruz, John landed a 30# yellow fin tuna as we entered Bandaras Bay....yummm.

We returned to another one of our favorite spots - La Cruz Marina. When we left there only 2 months ago there was some work beginning in anticipation of a World Cup Regatta and Boat Show.

What a change we found when we arrived! The marina was almost completely filled, new grass and palm trees planted, main street of La Cruz with fresh paint and more....most of the slips were now filled with racing boats (J-Boats) and cruising boats preparing for the "Puddle Jump", a trek across the Pacific Ocean ending up in the Marquesas. There are about 100 boats leaving in April. The marina has always been only 20% to 30% full....it has clearly been found!!!

The second day in La Cruz was especially busy, as Mexican President Felipe Calderon arrived by helicopter to kick off the last race day of the World Cup Regatta. He was escorted by security guards all dressed in white. He is the gray haired man on the flying bridge, the others around him are his security team.

Fireworks marked the end of the J-boat races....music, food and parties along the malecon.

The malecon was filled on the Boat Show Opening with the Mexican Navy, locals dressed up in beautiful traditional Mexican garb and cruisers. Armed guards were common walking the docks the entire time we were in La Cruz.

Linda and I also took a side trip to Sayulita, a beautiful beach resort NW of La Cruz that is well-known to surfers. We enjoyed a great lunch and visits to many galleries.

Philo's in La Cruz is a great spot to listen to music. Above, this fellow is a regular - a retired school administrator, who plays a washboard, etc. A good musician!! Wally & Linda, Doug and Marcy joined us for some dancing.

We departed La Cruz on March 13th and cruised 10 hours north to Matanchen Bay. The water was rolly and lumpy, like being in a washing machine, typical of the weather this year. We were happy to anchor and relax. The next day we pulled anchor around 11:00 a.m. for an overnight trip to Mazatlan, 130 miles further north. The seas were calm this time!!. We passed miles of fishing boats during the night, which made our watch more interesting (in a good way). Arriving in Mazatlan the next morning at first light, we tied up at Marina Mazatlan and took a nap.

Wally and Linda have dear friends, Ed and Annette, who were married March 4th in California. We decided to throw a small wedding reception onboard Serena Ray for them. New wedding vows "cruiser style" were written and we decorated Serena Ray for the event. Captain/Reverend Wally guided the couple through their vows. Music, champagne, steak barbeque and wedding cake made the evening complete.

Ed & Annette......reciting their vows...

Teresa and Steve, our slip neighbors and wedding reception guests.....

This was the evening sun setting aboard Serena Ray for the newlyweds, a special delivery from Mazatlan.

We'll stay in Mazatlan until around the first of April when we will cross the Sea of Cortez to La Paz and then cruise the islands along the Baja coast. Until the next update..................