Honestly, we haven’t sunk. Tangaroa is afloat and Tom & I are still enjoying yacht life. It’s been kinda crazy since my last post nearly 5 months ago and I know I’ve been remiss in posting on social media and in putting out new blogs. Because, well, ya’ know…life! It’s been a busy summer with a lot of family & business stuff. If you’re still here with us, thank-you for staying on board!
It was bittersweet making the decision to leave Baja. Not only had I spent almost every morning going out for long bird walks in the nearby desert (I had high hopes for some posts about those glorious mornings) but also we’d made really good friends with people on other boats. And many of the staff at Marina Puerto Escondido, some of the warmest, friendly, and most helpful people we’ve met, came to feel like family. It was so hard to say good-bye.
But in February of 2021, facing another year of astonishing insurance costs to stay in Mexico (almost 3 times that of being in the US – and it has nothing to do with pirates!), and things to attend to back home, we turned our bow northward and headed back to the States. It was quite an adventure making the 1,000 mile voyage, much of it out of sight of land as we traveled up the Baja peninsula coast. We cruised all day and all night. Unlike our voyage south, in the summer of 2020, we knew we would not be stopping at overnight anchorages to get any rest. We had a very small window of good weather in which to make the long haul, so we invited our friend Pancho, who captains & caretakes a boat at the marina, to help out. We’d divide the night into 4-hour shifts so we could each get some rest.
Watch this video to see our WildLifeVoyage as we return from Mexico:
We ended up in Ventura, California, which will be our home port for the rest of the year. It’s close to the Channel Islands, where Tom has been diving since the 1970s. So far, the wind has been blowing a lot, the seas have been pretty rough, and the water a murky green rather than blue. When we see a good weather window, we head out of the marina. It only takes an hour to get to Anacapa or Santa Cruz island. So far we have yet to do much diving!
Tom & I have some more stories to share with you and we’ve been getting a bunch of questions about life on the boat.
Now that you’ve had a little taste of our adventures, and Tangaroa, what would YOU like to know about boat life?
Drop me a comment and we’ll answer those questions in future blogs and other postings.
Beth and Tom, what a TREAT to get a peak into your wet and wild adventurous life!! So great to hear from you again and I hope to get to see you when you’re near L.A. Let me know if you need a place on land to sleep so you can get your “land legs” back. Big hugs and welcome home!! Dottie U.
Dottie! What a joy to hear from you! Thank you for your kind words. I’ll send you an email!! xx
You are AMAZING, dear! Keep on keepin’ on, and if you need a place to sleep on land, I have room for you.
Big hugs, Dottie
Beautiful! How do you avoid sun burns?
Thanks, Bridgitte! We wear sunscreen! Because we have gone as plastic & toxic – free as possible on the boat, I use sunscreens that are reef safe and do not come in plastic. I like the one from Silver Falls Sustainability (https://sfsustainable.com/collections/outdoors/products/reef-safe-sunscreen-spf-25). Stream2Sea (https://stream2sea.com/) also has sunscreens that some of my dive friends use; I haven’t tried them yet. But, we keep ourselves well covered to prevent burns!
Very nicely done. The photos and videos are amazing. Thank you for sharing. Looking forward to seeing what the future brings for you two.
Thanks, Doug! Appreciate that. Look forward to seeing you both sooner than later!
Welcome back to the good ‘ole USA. Enjoyed your visit with your mom. Blessings
Thanks! We sure enjoyed that lovely visit with you both!!
Glad to see your blog. Hope you get in some Channel Islands diving soon. I’m diving here in Florida, off Clearwater this Saturday and Sunday. These are my old stomping grounds from the 60s to 77. Donna will join me next week. We’re staying here through November.
Hope we get some good conditions to dive, too! Enjoy your time in the warm Florida water. I’ll look forward to your photos! Have fun down there!
It doesn’t matter how often you post or comment. Your words are always a joy to read! Continue to enjoy life!!! WE are sending you lots of love!!!
Awww, thanks, Carole! Being able to share with friends, like you two, is what makes the journey truly special! Love you guys!! xx
Love the video! Very well done!….We look forward to seeing you soon! What an adventure!
Thanks, Deb! It IS a WILD LIFE adventure, indeed! Look forward to seeing you two soon as well!
As always, greatly enjoyed your narrative, photos, and video! Only adventure I’ve had recently was a trip to Florida, dodging viruses all the way there and back! Best wishes–Guy
Guy! Thanks so much for the kind words. It’s great to hear from you (I owe you an email!) & glad to hear you’ve successfully dodged the virus!
We can’t wait to see Baja! But so glad we stopped in Ventura so I could make a new friend.
Making friends is one of the best things about boating! Look forward to your updates from Baja; I’d love to return!