Leaving La Paz, Round 2
February 8th I left La Paz with no plans to return. Enjoying one last breakfast with a good friend I had made there, Roció. before she dropped me off at the airport was the perfect send off. La Paz, and the people I’ve met there, had become so familiar, like a home away from home. Sailing in the bay, spending nights at anchor in gorgeous locations, and merging into the cruising community provided me my first real taste of living abroad. To leave it all behind was not a decision I made lightly. But, I said, “adios” and off I flew, destination: Puerta Vallarta.
Chris & I on a morning walk about.
La Cruz is a small town north of Puerta Vallarta, in Banderas Bay and where I joined the crew of a Hallberg-Rassy 46’ named Bird Song. Back in December I was invited to join this boat for a dream crossing. Bird Song, owned by Chris Dillard, is scheduled to leave for French Polynesia on March 18th. After messages on Facebook messenger, a phone call, a few text exchanges and a serendipitous hike in Portland I was super excited to make the commitment. Getting to meet the well equipped, newly refit, very seaworthy vessel solidified my decision. So, as much as I have missed my friends back in La Paz the promise of this new adventure has been on the forefront on my mind.
Reunited with Ann.
Wouldn’t you know that upon arrival to La Cruz I found Chris chatting with two sailing buddies of mine from Portland. Ann I had raced with up on the Columbia River aboard another friends boat and Jordan is Ann’s partner. Already I felt right at home.
AND, in the planning of all of this departing and arriving I was invited to visit a long lost friend now living a little further south in Costa Rica. It should be clear by now that I rarely pass up the opportunity for adventure, especially when it comes with the chance to reconnect with a friend. Micah, a man I met back in Portland, now lives in a small mountain town called Chimirol de Rivas. He and I used to be part of the same community many years ago and simply drifted away. When he reached out, seeing I was getting closer to Costa Rica in my travels, there was only one answer to give him.
After spending a couple of days getting my geared stowed on board Bird Song, hanging out with Chris and other friends I found myself bumping into I hopped back on a plane.
Micah showed me around his new world for the week I was there, and even drove me down to Playa Hermosa on the Pacific side. Micah had suggested I bring my swimsuit but I didn’t. Once on the beach I couldn’t resist the warm waves rolling in so in I went fully clothed. I should know better! It was glorious!
From sitting alongside the mountain streams winding along in front of Micah’s place, complete with fun boulders to climb over and waterfalls to sit under, to a butterfly dome full of my favorite Blue Morpho. What I found most interesting is to see them young, and several very old. Their wings were breaking down. Did you know that they only live for 115 days? Well, now you do.
Once back in La Cruz I was pretty stoked to get into a routine and to get to know the boat. Two days after I arrived we had a third crew member show up. Terry is a 40 yr old police officer from Ohio who is stepping more fully into a life of sailing. He does have some experience and has actually sailed with Chris on Bird Song a year or so ago. We now have only one other member coming to join our crew for the delivery across the Pacific. Jim will arrive the day before we are set to leave, weather permitting. So far there is great team work happening and Jim is one of Chris’ best friends so I imagine it will be pretty easy for him to integrate.
As of now we are 17 days away from our leave date. The weather window remains open for that time. We all have our fingers crossed for no delays.
Until next time, be well!
~ Cheryl