We are in the routine of getting ready to leave in a few days. The lists are made and being checked off as they are completed.

Our plans are to depart on Wed. should all go well. The final dentist appt. is on Tues, the water tank is sealed and ready for a fill up.

Most groceries are bought and stored, leaving only the fresh fruits and vegetables to pick up the night before. Need to exchange our pesos into smaller denominations as the small villages have difficulty cashing anything over 20 pesos.

The difference with this portion of the trip is that it will consist mostly of anchorages and there will be limited availablitiy of fresh produce that can be bought in small fishing villages.

The Sea of Cortez is full of fish, crabs, scallops all for our enjoyment. I have added a friends picture of the crab they bought off a fisherman.

Who knew they had crab like this down here. Can't wait to try one. They caught it just outside of Santa Rosalia. (Rani and Chris sorry I pirated your picture)

Finally after a year, I have the weather figured out. It has been a challenge. Mexico does not report the weather like Canada and the US. It ceases to amaze me the number of boaters that are out here blind. When I have asked the question "How do you recieve your weather reports?" I have had answers like: Just look out the door --- Don't worry about it ----- Listen to other boaters who know how to get the weather ------- etc. Mal (bad).

I have now printed off the times of the SSB Nets (which give weather reports along with following the where abouts of boaters).

I have signed up to buoyweather weather that will send me daily updates for the requests that I make.

I have all the weigh points figured out for the weather forcasts.

Another endevour is to use the radar at all times when underway. Usually we only use it at night but we need to be extemely proficient to go through the Tehuantepec. The trouble with Mexican charts are that they are just plain bad.

While doing the Tehuantepec we need to be just 1/2 mile off the shore. This will mean relying on the radar. Our plotter will apear to be driving over land. This summer I must get comfortable knowing that even though it shows that we are on the land we are actually safe. Trust the radar and the depth sounder. Most times we are anchored 2 miles inland with the bad charts.

While we are out the blogs will be updated through Single Side Band Radio. This means that I will not be able to add pictures. When at an area with internet I will go back and add the appropriate pictures to the previous blogs. All the photos will be put into the Sea of Cortez picture album when at an internet service areas.

The weather temperatures have now gone over the 100 degree mark and we are both looking forward to jumping off the boat into crystal clear warm water. Until next week. I look forward to exploring and having more history, new experiences to share.