I read "The Patriot Post" three times a week and I particularly like the quotes they often publish. Some of my favorites from the February 13th edition:
"The government solution to any problem is usually at least as bad as the problem." Milton Friedman
"Vote for the man who promises least; he'll be the least disappointing." Bernard Baruch
"If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner." H. L. Mencken
"We may not imagine how our lives could be more frustrating and complex - but Congress can." Cullen Hightower
Friday, February 22, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Cruising Mexico Way
I'm delinquent in posting about our week long cruise from San Diego down Baja California aboard the Dawn Princess and our stops in Cabo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. Carolyn's art teacher and her husband organized a plein air art excursion which allowed a few of us spouses to tag along and enjoy a time away from rainy Southern California.
We were joined by Paul and Marcia Stevens who were kind enough to pick us up at our house for the drive to San Diego and we were barely able to cram all the suitcases and art supplies into the back of their SUV. The day (Sunday, January 27) was overcast and raining intermittently, but the boarding process was quick and easy and by 4 that afternoon we were casting off lines and heading out to sea. I was surprised that the Dawn Princess managed its departure without any assistance from tugs.
The first day/night was rainy, but about midway down Baja the weather turned sunny and began to warm to the low 70s.
After a day and half sailing, we arrived and anchored off of Cabo San Lucas. The artists painted "Los Arcos" from the deck in the morning while I challenged Paul to a best of 3 shuffleboard contest (its a requirement on your first cruise!) and then we took a tender to the harbor in the early afternoon. The marina/port area has certainly been modernized since our last visit! We took a long walk all around the marina to the beach so Paul and I could take a quick dip into the rather cool ocean. We saved a few bucks by not taking a water taxi back to the tender dock but did work off a few calories by walking both ways; calories that would later be consumed in a great dinner.
That evening, I chose to have dinner in my cabin hoping to feel better while the ship moved through the night towards Puerto Vallarta. Instead of taking any shore excursions, the Stevens and us took a cab downtown and then walked by the shops lining the waterfront. The promenade on the beach had some very strange and intriguing sculptures.
The other painters hooked up with us early in the afternoon after we had enjoyed a few margaritas. Then the ladies found another interesting outdoor marketplace to paint while Paul and I headed to the beach just to enjoy the warm sun and the opportunity for a nap.
We then spent two days at sea returning to San Diego and the weather slowly changed from moderate and sunny back to cooler and windy and eventually rain. We had come full circle, weather wise, but we had had a very nice time with good friends, great food, and a needed time of relaxation; and we hadn't even gained any weight!!
We were joined by Paul and Marcia Stevens who were kind enough to pick us up at our house for the drive to San Diego and we were barely able to cram all the suitcases and art supplies into the back of their SUV. The day (Sunday, January 27) was overcast and raining intermittently, but the boarding process was quick and easy and by 4 that afternoon we were casting off lines and heading out to sea. I was surprised that the Dawn Princess managed its departure without any assistance from tugs.
The first day/night was rainy, but about midway down Baja the weather turned sunny and began to warm to the low 70s.
After a day and half sailing, we arrived and anchored off of Cabo San Lucas. The artists painted "Los Arcos" from the deck in the morning while I challenged Paul to a best of 3 shuffleboard contest (its a requirement on your first cruise!) and then we took a tender to the harbor in the early afternoon. The marina/port area has certainly been modernized since our last visit! We took a long walk all around the marina to the beach so Paul and I could take a quick dip into the rather cool ocean. We saved a few bucks by not taking a water taxi back to the tender dock but did work off a few calories by walking both ways; calories that would later be consumed in a great dinner.
Late that afternoon, the ship departed for Mazatlan. Perhaps because I wasn't feeling up to par, or because we spent the entire afternoon at a hotel's pool area while most of the artists painted the off-shore islands and the wind blowing made lying in the sun less than pleasurable, but I wasn't overwhelmed with this day's visit. Carolyn broke off from the group and painted a market scene across the street. Typically, she made friends with one of the shop owners who looked after her during the afternoon and even bought her bottled water. When she tried to give him a small gratuity at day's end, he was more than gracious and would accept nothing.
That evening, I chose to have dinner in my cabin hoping to feel better while the ship moved through the night towards Puerto Vallarta. Instead of taking any shore excursions, the Stevens and us took a cab downtown and then walked by the shops lining the waterfront. The promenade on the beach had some very strange and intriguing sculptures.
The other painters hooked up with us early in the afternoon after we had enjoyed a few margaritas. Then the ladies found another interesting outdoor marketplace to paint while Paul and I headed to the beach just to enjoy the warm sun and the opportunity for a nap.
We then spent two days at sea returning to San Diego and the weather slowly changed from moderate and sunny back to cooler and windy and eventually rain. We had come full circle, weather wise, but we had had a very nice time with good friends, great food, and a needed time of relaxation; and we hadn't even gained any weight!!
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