It's Alive!

The generator that is and we are so excited - it works!

Installing the generator took Doug about a month - a very big project and it is great to have it behind us.

The generator: A Kestrel Marine Diesel D/C Generator purchased from The Watermaker Store has had a long life - without ever being used:

• 2004: Steve and Ana purchased the generator and quickly put it in storage
• 2007: We purchased it from Steve and Ana and quickly put it in our storage
  
• 2008: Departed from USA, so stashed the heavy beast in the aft head - and promised to install it as soon as we get settled in Mexico
  
• 2008 - 2010: The generator traveled (in the aft head) from San Francisco, Cabo, La Paz, Mazatlan, La Paz, Santa Rosalia, San Carlos, and back to La Paz (again) and all points in between!

So our generator has traveled many miles without ever being used. But, before we head to the South Pacific next year, it had to be installed so Doug has had his head (and butt) stuck in the engine room (or under our bunk) for a very long time.

This required rebuilding our exhaust system (and adding a new one) replacing our old fuel lines, integrating with our Yanmar engine, building the infrastructure, and lots of trips to the local marine stores!

After all of that, it worked within minutes of turning it on. Pretty amazing that it worked, but also that Doug figured it all out. I married well, didn't I?

A Very Happy (and tired) Captain Doug!

Carnaval in La Paz!

The theme of this year’s Carnaval in La Paz is “Alegría Bicentenaria,” celebrating Mexico’s 200 years of independence.

And you know us, we hate to miss a good time, so we had to check it out!




On opening night Bad Humor (along with the Pig and H1N1) was burned in Effigy.

We saw the Pig, but missed the burning.

Oh well - guess we need to learn how to read a program!



Carnaval continues for 6 nights and includes lots of stages for live music, King and Queen coronations, artistic programs, carnival rides, tons of hot dog and taco vendors, and Pacifico tents.



Of course, Doug preferred the Modelo Chope tent - draft beer - which is hard to come by in Mexico!

We made it 4 nights and enjoyed walking along the malecon, seeing all of the wonderful sites, and hanging with our amigos. You get your exercise and your entertainment - all at one time. Can't beat that with a stick!

Plus we did our share of eating and drinking - of course. Anything we can do to help the local economy...



We attended two of the parades, which were very colorful and entertaining (as you can see).



One of the special "treats" during the parades is throwing (or smashing) the confetti filled eggs on your friends. They don't fly far, but they make a heck of mess.




We had confetti everywhere!




So, if you ever have a chance to experience Carnaval (anywhere) go for it! It is fun, exciting, VERY LOUD, and always entertaining!

Get thee to a nunn'ry...

For chicken that is!

The Cremeria San Charbel in La Paz has the plumpiest, juiciest, chicken ever - and I am not exaggerating! There is a good chance your chicken was just plucked this morning.

You just walk up to the little store, ring the bell, and one of the Nuns will take your order.

Watch out, the Nuns wield a wicked cleaver! They also sell eggs, cheese, and some other fresh stuff.

The Cremeria is located off of the Abasolo, just behind the Mas store on Norte. There is an "official" blue Church sign that will point you in the right direction.

Check it out!

Work, Work, Work...

With some fun thrown in there just to keep us sane!

Doug has been busy. He has completed rewiring the starboard side of the boat (almost), which included adding in all kinds of new gadgets like... CO2 and propane sensors, GFI breakers, and more.

As you can see, Moondance is held together with a lot of orange conduit and cable ties!

Doug installed our new systems panel (ooh - ahh) and it has everything. It includes a new bilge pump monitor, a engine hour meter, and lots of other cool stuff.

At the same time, Doug is re-bedding the chain plates, remodeling the propane locker, modifying the exhaust system, and planning more cool things - like our wind generator, watermaker, diesel genset, and more.

Since the inside cabin is a wreck, I have been working on outside projects - like polishing stainless, varnishing teak, and general boat maintenance, plus growing an herb garden. It was wonderful to have Casa Ana's place to work on some of my projects!

We love having Odyssey as our boat neighbors, plus Jessie's Girl comes by for a visit once in awhile.

This is communications - boating style!

We have are still trying to include the social stuff like dancing at the Club Marlin, watching football games at the Tailhunter, Luche Libre wrestling, birthday celebrations, movies, dining out, happy hours, and anything else we can squeeze in.

Even with all of the hard work, we have decided to NOT sail to the South Pacific this year. It was a very tough decision (picture tears), but it is the right decision. This will give us chance to complete all of our projects and make sure they work - which is a good thing.

We will spend this year cruising mainland Mexico from Mazatlan to Acapulco. It will be fun - join us!

And, Yes, that is Jessie singing with the band!

And, this is me testing out the new lounge chairs. Are they comfortable? Can you get out of them easily? No and No!

Happy Birthday, Danette!

You are one lucky girl!

Love Carla and Doug

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Friends, Family, Fiestas, Fishing, and Fun!

That's a lot of "F's", but it has been a jammed packed month and we have enjoyed every minute of it!

David and Lynette (Doug's brother and sister-in-law) spent a week with us and we had a grand time. We spent a night at the Tropicana Inn in San Jose del Cabo (which we highly recommend).

The rest of the week was spent going to the beaches, visiting museums, shopping, eating, and generally goofing off. We were sorry to see them go!

Next, Phil and Danette (my brother and sister-in-law) arrived and the fun began again!

We visited the Cactus sanctuary in El Rosario.

Day tripped to Todos Santos to see how the rich folks are doing.

We threw a Christmas party at Casa Ana where we crowned Shanna "Miss Pinata 2009".

Isn't she beautiful! That was a tough pinata, but Shanna was even tougher.

Miss you, Ana and Steve!

Fern and Brian invited us over for fun and games at their lovely casa - always wonderful hosts.

We hope to pay them back and take them sailing one of these days...



The manly men decided to go fishing. Reymundo - out of Muertos - did a wonderful job and Brian caught a big Dorado, plus all caught Sierra.

Phil's big tuna was devoured by a Sea Lion before he could reel it in. Now, that is a fish story!

We shared the catch with our amigos - yummy!

Call Reymundo if you want to catch fish (612-120-0325)

We visited the beautiful GranSuenos in Muertos on Christmas Day. We were the only guests and were treated wonderfully. If you want a GRAND experience, check it out.


Now, all of our guests have returned home - how sad is that?

Back to our boat projects!

Happy Holidays!

We hope that you enjoy the holiday humor! We miss you all and hope that you have a wonderful and safe Holiday Season.

Love,

The Moondance Crew

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