The Great Crossroads of Región Vallarta

We have learned that the Puerto Vallarta area is a popular crossroads, not only for some who just want to visit the area, but for others who are on their way somewhere else...either going north into the Sea of Cortez or back to the U.S., going south to the Panama Canal or South America, or doing the Puddle Jump to the South Pacific.

We have even run into people we know here. We already mentioned we ran into our pals from Windjammer who are on their way south to Argentina hoping to eventually round Cape Horn. Then the first week here I ran into one of my ex-sail-loft customers and his wife who have been cruising Mexico since November on their boat Shindig.

Two weeks ago at a free seminar someone asked a question and I recognized his voice immediately. It was the gruff-voiced Canadian that I knew from the Singlehanded Transpac. Jim from Haulback and his new wife Jen are here waiting for a weather window to make the jump to the South Pacific.

Syl with Jim and Jen from Haulback

Last week I was surprised to see some people I know from the Santa Cruz Yacht Club walk out of the La Cruz Marina general store. They have been cruising Mexico for years and make a pilgrimage up to Bahia Los Angeles in the Sea of Cortez every year aboard their Cal 43 Cricket to meet other members and friends from the Santa Cruz YC. They are here having some boat work done before they head north.

A couple of days ago we were contacted by a guy I know from racing out of the SF Bay Area. Barry is down here working for J-World and the Banderas Bay Regatta and was looking for a ride on one of the racing boats. So yep, you guessed it, against the advice of Torben and Judy ("Don't race your home!"), but largely due to the great fun we had racing on their home Tivoli two years ago, we DID enter the regatta. More on that subject in a few days.


Cinnabarbarians Tom, Ashley, Barry, Sylvia and Cathie, still smiling after the first day of racing.

DINGHY UPDATE: Thanks to all of you for helping out with the dinghy name. Ideas so far (in alphabetical order) are:
Cinnabun
Dinghy Dong
Galena Ballena
Minibar
Mini-Cinni
Minipad
To-the-bar
Oh, how to choose, how to choose! Best done over a few shots of tequila I imagine. Have I forgotten any names?? If I have please remind me again.

Well, must dash to get Cinnabar race-ready* for her second day of racing this afternoon. We'll try to get an update posted on Sunday after the regatta has concluded. No doubt we will be recovering from all the physical and social activity.

*Race-ready = stocking the fridge with LOTS of beer.