After spending about 5 days in San Blas the weather swung around allowing us to proceed north. We enjoyed San Blas immensely with the exception of the bugs. The Easter week celebrations had begun and we were overwhelmed with how many people could crowd into one plaza with so many bands playing against each other, complete with dancing. Brad was much amused when a teenage Mexican boy approached Katryn and asked her to dance. After seeing how they dance; hip to hip, legs intertwined he was apprehensive as to what would follow! She was embarrassed by the request and said, “No, gracias.” Too bad, it would have been amusing to watch her fumble around not knowing how to dance Mexican style!

We decided to make for Mazatlan but were experiencing such a great sail all day that we decided to bypass Mazatlan and aim all the way for Topolobampo because the southerly swells were supposed to continue into Thursday/Friday. We left on the Tuesday. The winds died down that night and we ended up motorsailing the rest of the way with only a few hours of uncomfortable waves. We made great time, arriving in Topolobampo by 11:00 am on the Thursday. We even had a little sparrow, which Zach and I named Bampo, join us for two days. He provided much entertainment to our bored children.

We have been in Topo for two days now and Alberto smiled heartily when we mentioned you two and your recommendation of him. He has been very warm and has allowed us to even use his personal computer in the absence of wifi here. I, for one, really enjoy this place. The people are warm and welcoming and we have only seen two other white people in our whole visit so far.

Zach’s birthday is this Tuesday and we are going to jump on the Copper Canyon train for the day going as far as Creel, with the intent of staying two days and then riding the rails back to Topolobampo. After that, the west side of the Sea is our destination, but where? who knows.

I and Katryn are reading one of the books you left in Alberto’s office. He seemed at a bit of a loss as to what to do with them, so I attempted to explain how a book exchange works. I think we are the first people to borrow a book! We are reading the The Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. There is much in it that is too mature for Kat, but I trust she is capable of gleaning the good and rejecting the bad.

We hope you guys are doing well and have enjoyed the time with family and by yourselves. Are you almost ready to head south? I hope so. If not, you can easily head north and meet up with us in the Sea of Cortez and spend the summer there. We would like that.

Anyway, just wanted to say hello. We wish we had more time with you two and maybe someday we will….that eternity thing, Jeff. We’d like that too.

Lisa

Sorry for the problems. I’m not sure what’s going on…I do recommend using Mozilla as we have been having problems ourselves with IE…where are you located? More stupid blogs to follow, we promise.

Peace! V

And THANK YOU!!! So much for the tour of your boat! We’ve been to Thailand and had planned on touring the factory but time kept us from it. So finally I feel I have a better understanding of the interior than simply pics can give….seriously thanks…was very cool.

Lots of luck!
Best wishes!
May God or the Random Forces of the Cosmos mentor your spirits and guard you from harm!

Bart & Linda Clark
Dallas, Texas